Favorite Early Childhood Books

This week, I am sharing some of my favorite early-childhood books, and I hope you read it if you have not read it yet. They are very informative, and what I love about these three books is that they have hands-on, practical daily activities that enhance our programs. I believe they are must-haves for a child educator.

Infants, Toddlers, and Caregivers: A Curriculum of Respectful, Responsive Care and Education, 7/e by Janet Gonzalez Mena and Dianne Windmeyer-Eyer 

Combining a child-centered philosophy with problem-solving strategies and a thorough discussion of diversity, Infants, Toddlers, and Caregivers serves as an ideal introduction to curriculum and care for infants and toddlers. The approach to caregiving that underlies the text is based on a combination of Magda Gerber's philosophy and Emmi Pikler. Both pioneers taught caregivers how to respect young children and stressed the need to integrate (1) concepts of child development with caregiving (2) knowledge of play as curriculum, (3) the physical and social environment, and (4) adult relations.--McGraw-Hill, Publisher

From Parents to Partners: Building a Family-Centered Early Childhood Program by Janis Keyser

Partnering with parents is essential if your early childhood program is to succeed. From Parents to Partners explores the reasons and methods for developing ongoing partnerships with parents and other family members. It also provides the tools and strategies you need to build the communication and support networks within which these partnerships thrive.--Redleaf Press, Publisher

Roots and Wings, Revised Edition: Affirming Culture in Early Childhood Programs by Stacey York

Roots & Wings will open doors to beginners in cultural diversity education, and will enrich the more experienced readers. It is a grand tool for assisting early childhood educator's to address the many faceted and complex issues of cultural diversity and racial prejudice...I recommend this book to any teacher, caregiver or parent who wants to begin learning what it means to foster young children's respect for themselves and others. -- Louise Derman-Sparks, author of Anti-Bias Curriculum
Happy Reading!