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Resources

Visit our bookstore for hand-picked titles related to preschool options.

Reference Lists

Preschool Options Reference List

This list containing over 40 references was October 2007, updated March 2008 and is available for download in pdf format Open link in new window .

Preschool Services (LRE) List

Information Request Response from the North Central Regional Resource Center on any current (2000 or better) research on best practices in Preschool LRE. This report was completed April 12, 2006 and is available here as a download in pdf format Open link in new window .

Court Decisions

Seventh Circuit Court Decision cited during Link training. This decision was completed July 29, 1999 and is available here as a pdf document Open link in new window.

Resources from Wisconsin's Public Library

The Early Learning Initiative for Wisconsin Public Libraries was developed in response to Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster\rquote s challenge to identify ways that all divisions in the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction can help implement her New Wisconsin Promise. The outcome is to help assure that all children start school ready to learn. The role of public libraries in this process falls within the primary mission most libraries have of providing information and resources, as well as programs for children. This guide is intended to help public librarians understand the value of the many things they do for young children, within the context of recent educational and infant brain development research. They can then put elements of the research into practice in their programs, in the information they make available to parents and day care providers, and the readers advisory services they offer. Beginning at birth, public libraries can play a role in helping parents and day care providers assure all children have the experiences they will need to learn to read by third grade, graduate from high school, and become lifelong readers who not only know how to read, but enjoy reading.

Early Learning Initiative for Wisconsin Public Libraries http://www.dpi.wi.gov/pld/earlylearning.html Open link in new window.

This resource and planning guide is intended to provide guidance and practical suggestions to public librarians to ensure that all youth with special needs have appropriate, convenient, and equitable access to materials and technology at public libraries to meet their informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs. It offers strategies public librarians can use to provide youth with special needs the means to use library services effectively, foster personal growth, and obtain the information necessary to be successful and productive members of society.

Youth with Special Needs: A Resource and Planning Guide for Wisconsin Public Libraries http://www.dpi.wi.gov/pld/ysnpl Open link in new window.

Articles

Early Childhood Education and Care for Children with Disabilities: Facilitating Inclusive Practice

Early Childhood Education Journal, 2007, DOI: 10.1007/s10643-006-0145-4, DeVore, S. & Russell, K. Posted by permission of the author. download in pdf format Open link in new window.

Including Children with Autism in Inclusive Preschools: Strategies That Work

Young Exceptional Children, Winter 1998, Vol 1 No 2, Schwartz, I.S., Ph.D., Billingsley, F.F., Ph.D., McBride, B.M., M.S.

Books

DEC Recommended Practices in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education

Bridges the gap between current research and practice, offering much-needed guidance to professionals who work with young children with disabilities. Includes essential elements for achieving and sustaining high-quality services, such as child-focused interventions, family-based practices, and appropriate assessment. Available from the NAEYC online store.

Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs

This revised edition of NAEYC's Developmentally Appropriate Practice spells out the principles undergirding developmentally appropriate practice and guidelines for making decisions in the classroom and other settings for young children. Available from the NAEYC online store.

Leading Early Childhood Learning Communities: What Principals Should Know

This handbook provides school principals and other professions, parents and concerned citizens guidelines and tenets for the establishment and conduct of a quality educational program for young children. Available from the NAESP online store.

Meeting the Challenge: Effective Strategies for Challenging Behaviors in Early Childhood Environments

If you feel frustrated and defeated when confronted with a child with very challenging behaviors, here's a lifeline! This reader-friendly book offers easily understandable ideas and strategies proven to work for children with the most challenging behaviors and to benefit every child in your setting. Published by the Canadian Child Care Federation. Available from the NAEYC online store.

Natural Environments and Inclusion

Learn how to unlock the potential of inclusive, family-centered programs in natural environments. Eight articles illuminate developmentally appropriate practices in natural settings, including centers and family child care homes, and discuss how to meet the challenges of inclusion. Published by the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). Available from the NAEYC online store.

A Place for Me: Including Children With Special Needs in Early Care and Education Settings

A short, easy to read and practical book to assist early childhood educators in teaching inclusive programs. This book teaches us the real challenge that inclusion presents, and how to make it work for everyone.

As many children who were formally served in a separate setting with special needs are being integrated into the general education setting, educators and caregivers need to be aware of the real challenges that inclusion can present. This book has wonderful applications when preparing for the inclusion of special needs children. Available from the NAEYC online store.

Practical Ideas for Addressing Challenging Behaviors

Published by The Division for Early Childhood of The Council for Exceptional Children, this book also includes the DEC's position statement on interventions for challenging behaviors. Leading experts contribute chapters on topics such as classroom environmental influences on children's behavior and working with parents to address challenging behaviors at home. From the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children. Available from the NAEYC online store.

Teaching Strategies: What To Do to Support Young Children

Emphasizes effective and doable teaching strategies for young children with special needs. Eight articles highlight teaching practices for a variety of curriculum content including working with families, classroom tips and techniques, teacher/child conversations, and more. From the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). Available from the NAEYC online store.

The What, Why, and How of High-Quality Early Childhood Education: A Guide for On-Site Supervision

An invaluable tool for the director/supervisor striving to identify what aspects of an early childhood program need improvement, this book gives staff feedback that really alters their practice. It is equally useful in helping teachers or caregivers take a thoughtful look at their own practices. Used in college courses, the book's detailed descriptions of what one should see in good programs (and why) give students a strong foundation of child development knowledge and of principles translated into practice. Available from the NAEYC online store.

Widening the Circle: Including Children With Disabilities in Preschool Programs

Explores the barriers to and influences on inclusive education settings for young children. Covers such timely topics as individualized instruction, social relationships of children with disabilities, collaborative relationships among adults, family perception of inclusion, classroom ecology and child participation, community participation, social policy, and cultural and linguistic diversity. Useful implications for practitioners. Available from the NAEYC online store.

Pamphlets & Brochures

Bright Beginnings: A Guide For Families of Young Children Birth to Nine Years

This is a brochure developed through a community collaborative effort including the Eau Claire Area School District, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and the public library, as well as several other community agencies, preschool teachers, child care providers, and parents. The result is a brightly colored step brochure that is a family-focused resource and activity guide which provides basic child development information, a variety of fun, stimulating activities within daily routines, and a page for helpful community telephone numbers.

For a sample of the Bright Beginnings Brochure, or to order multiple quantities, write to Mary Siebenshuh at the Eau Claire School District Administation Building, 500 Main St., Eau Claire, WI 54701, or call (715) 833-3437.

Consultation and Itinerant Resources

As more children receive services in inclusive settings, teachers are finding that they need new skills to be effective in working with adults. This is a list of resources on itinerant teaching and consultation that may be useful. Available for download in pdf format or Word format Open link in new window .

Helping Your Preschool Child

The first five years of a child's life are a time of tremendous physical, emotional, social and cognitive growth. Children enter the world with many needs in order to grow: love, nutrition, health, social and emotional security, and stimulation in the important skills that prepare them for school success. Children also enter the world with a great capacity to learn.

This booklet includes activities for families with children from infancy through age 5. Most of the activities make learning experiences out of the everyday routines in which you and your child already participate. Most use materials that are found in your home or that can be obtained free of charge from your local library. The activities are designed to be fun for both you and your child as well as to help your child gain the skills needed to get ready for school.

This publication may be downloaded in PDF format from the U.S. Department of Education's website. Printed copies of this publication may also be obtained (in English or Spanish) by request. Download or order this booklet hereOpen link in new window.

Together Children Grow: Quality Childcare for Children With Special Needs

This booklet about quality child care for children with special needs is useful for both parents & child care providers. Available for download in pdf formatOpen link in new window from the Wisconsin Child Care Information Center.

A Short List of Social-Emotional Development Resources for Teachers and Service Providers of Young Children

One of the most common causes of difficulty including a child with a disability is their level of social skills development. Additionally, many teachers report social skills and behaviors as their most serious concern in their classroom. This list provides some of the tools teachers can use to address these issues. Available for download in pdf format or Word format Open link in new window .

Updated 4.24.2008 | vjk

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