explore and share literature and language experiences through interesting, developmentally appropriate activities. To achieve this goal, this contemporary reference encourages reflective thinking, allows for practice of skills, and inspires the collection of ideas for future use. It thoroughly explores the primary interrelated areas of language arts--listening, speaking, reading, and writing--as well as the closely tied area of visual literacy, which is increasingly important given children's frequent interactions with visual technology. While painting a comprehensive picture of the most important aspects of teaching early literacy, the book also incorporates valuable information that teachers can take directly into practice. Readers learn classroom activities involving stories, poems, finger plays, and puppetry. They also learn curriculum for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, with discussions of theory illuminated by practical how-to suggestions. Cultural diversity is addressed, as are program-planning ideas for English language learners and special-needs children.

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