Early Childhood Curriculum for All Learners: Integrating Play and Literacy Activities

Product Description

Early Childhood Curriculum for All Learners: Integrating Play and Literacy Activities is designed to teach early childhood professionals about the latest research on play and early literacy and then to show them practical methods for adapting this research to everyday classroom practices that will encourage the development of learning skills. The authors link solid, play-based research to specific developmentally appropriate practices. By combining these two areas, the text demonstrates that academic learning and play activities are highly compatible, and that children can and do develop academic skills through play. In addition, the text focuses on socio-dramatic play, a recently acknowledged, essential aspect of child-initiated play interactions. It provides specific strategies that link these interactive behaviors with the early academic skills needed for the initial primary grades. Implementation of the information presented in this book will enable children to experience a richer transition into primary education classrooms.

About the Author

Ann M. Selmi has taught for over 40 years, and most of her career has been spent working with young children with or without disabilities and their teachers. For the past 8 years she has taught teachers at California State University, Dominguez Hills, where she prepares early childhood teachers to address some of the most challenging situations in the Los Angeles area. Her research focuses on the relationship between the development of language and play. She also worked for 5 years as a researcher on the cochlear implant program for young deaf children at the House Ear Institute in Los Angeles, and she spent one year as a visiting researcher at the National Institute of Child Health and Development in the Child and Family Research Section in Bethesda, Maryland.

Raymond J. Gallagher began his career as a general education teacher and as a teacher in special education. As a university educator, he has been involved in research concerning the development of young children who are at risk for and diagnosed with disabilities, and the ways they and their families are served. He continues to be involved in personnel development preparing individuals to teach in P–12 settings that serve the educational needs of all youngsters. Dr. Gallagher is a Professor of Clinical Education in the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California.

Eugenia Mora-Flores is a Professor of Clinical Education and Chair of the Master of Arts in Teaching program in the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California (USC). She teaches courses on first and second language acquisition, Latino culture, and in literacy development for elementary and secondary students. Her research interests include studies on effective practices in developing the language and literacy skills of English Learners in grades Pre-K-12. She has written 10 books in the area of literacy and academic language development (ALD) for English learners. Eugenia was named, USC’s MAT Professor of the Year (2016 & 2018), USC’s Teaching Excellence Award (2018) and the 2018 Community Achievement Award, this award recognizes professors who have made meaningful contributions to the educations of students of color and/or who identify as LGBTQ. Eugenia further works as a consultant for a variety of elementary, middle and high schools across the country in the areas of English Language Development (ELD), ALD and writing instruction.