Developing Preschool Language Classrooms

This text is designed to assist in the replication of a successful classroom-home language intervention program for mildly to moderately language impaired preschool children. The first portion of the manual discusses the rationale and operation of the program. Provided in the second part are sample lesson plans which provide specific examples of the integration of language remediation targets into preschool activities. After an introductory chapter, a literature review examines a pragmatic approach to language intervention in the classroom. Appended to this chapter are resources on pragmatic skills. The next chapter considers the use of space, furniture, and learning materials in the classroom and includes a checklist for arranging and equipping a classroom. Staffing and training in the preschool language classroom are discussed next and samples of school newsletters and forms for training and home visits provided. The next chapter addresses planning and scheduling of language intervention and is followed by a consideration of classroom management with guidelines for managing behavior, and a review of data collection in the classroom. Provided for each lesson plan in Part II is information on language targets, materials, and procedures. References accompany most chapters. (DB)

A well-designed language-focused curriculum creates natural and teacher-directed opportunities for preschoolers to develop the language and communication skills that are essential to later academic success. And all children benefit -- those with language impairments, those learning English as a second language, and those developing typically. Volume I explains how children acquire language and proves the merits of a culturally sensitive, individualized approach to helping young children learn.

Children are already learning at birth, and they develop and learn at a rapid pace in their early years. This provides a critical foundation for lifelong progress, and the adults who provide for the care and the education of young children bear a great responsibility for their health, development, and learning. Despite the fact that they share the same objective - to nurture young children and secure their future success - the various practitioners who contribute to the care and the education of children from birth through age 8 are not acknowledged as a workforce unified by the common knowledge and competencies needed to do their jobs well. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 explores the science of child development, particularly looking at implications for the professionals who work with children. This report examines the current capacities and practices of the workforce, the settings in which they work, the policies and infrastructure that set qualifications and provide professional learning, and the government agencies and other funders who support and oversee these systems. This book then makes recommendations to improve the quality of professional practice and the practice environment for care and education professionals. These detailed recommendations create a blueprint for action that builds on a unifying foundation of child development and early learning, shared knowledge and competencies for care and education professionals, and principles for effective professional learning. Young children thrive and learn best when they have secure, positive relationships with adults who are knowledgeable about how to support their development and learning and are responsive to their individual progress. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 offers guidance on system changes to improve the quality of professional practice, specific actions to improve professional learning systems and workforce development, and research to continue to build the knowledge base in ways that will directly advance and inform future actions. The recommendations of this book provide an opportunity to improve the quality of the care and the education that children receive, and ultimately improve outcomes for children.

Synthesizing cutting-edge research from multiple disciplines, this book explores how young children acquire knowledge in the "real world" and describes practical applications for early childhood classrooms. The breadth and depth of a child's knowledge base are important predictors of later literacy development and academic achievement. Leading scholars describe the processes by which preschoolers and primary-grade students acquire knowledge through firsthand experiences, play, interactions with parents and teachers, storybooks, and a range of media. Chapters on exemplary instructional strategies vividly show what teachers can do to build children's content knowledge while also promoting core literacy skills.

Early Childhood Development: A Multicultural Perspective, 6/e addresses both typical and atypical child development from birth through age eight. This text highlights the diversity of child development, preparing professionals to meet the unique needs of children from a wide variety of backgrounds.

A well-designed language-focused curriculum creates natural and teacher-directed opportunities for preschoolers to develop the language and communication skills that are essential to later academic success. And all children benefit -- those with language impairments, those learning English as a second language, and those developing typically. Volume II offers a semester's worth of activities and ideas for more than 50 dramatic play, art, and group exercises that emphasize social, cognitive, and motor skills.

Language Development: Understanding Language Diversity in the Classroom offers comprehensive coverage of the language development process for pre- and in-service teachers while emphasizing the factors that further academic success in the classroom, including literacy skills, phonological awareness, and narrative. With chapters written by respected specialists in various fields, this interdisciplinary text illuminates the impact of language development on learning success and distinguishes between language differences and disorders, integrating illustrative case studies as well as helpful classroom strategies that teachers can implement right away.

The Workshop on the Role of Language in School Learning: Implications for Closing the Achievement Gap was held to explore three questions: What is known about the conditions that affect language development? What are the effects of early language development on school achievement? What instructional approaches help students meet school demands for language and reading comprehension? Of particular interest was the degree to which group differences in school achievement might be attributed to language differences, and whether language-related instruction might help to close gaps in achievement by helping students cope with language-intensive subject matter especially after the 3rd grade. The workshop provided a forum for researchers and practitioners to review and discuss relevant research findings from varied perspectives. The disciplines and professions represented included: language development, child development, cognitive psychology, linguistics, reading, educationally disadvantaged student populations, literacy in content areas (math, science, social studies), and teacher education. The aim of the meeting was not to reach consensus or provide recommendations, but rather to offer expert insight into the issues that surround the study of language, academic learning, and achievement gaps, and to gather varied viewpoints on what available research findings might imply for future research and practice. This book summarizes and synthesizes two days of workshop presentations and discussion.