Boost young children's problem-solving skills and set them up for long-term success with the second edition of this practical guidebook! Enhanced with new lessons and timely topics-including equity and the use of makerspaces-this book will help you get all children ready for kindergarten by teaching them basic practices of engineering design and critical thinking skills.

Using a clear instructional framework and fun lesson plans tailored for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, you'll guide your "emerging engineers" as they explore big ideas and develop new ways of thinking through engaging and challenging learning experiences. Practical materials include classroom-tested activities that incorporate children's books, self-reflection checklists, practical strategies and modifications, Early Childhood UDL Planning Sheets, and blank Experience Planning Templates.

Educators Will

• Introduce hands-on learning experiences that teach critical thinking skills-curiosity, persistence, flexibility, reflection, and collaboration
• Demystify and teach key phases of engineering design: think about it, try it, fix it, and share it
• Support school readiness by helping children work toward kindergarten standards, including Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards
• Use universal design for learning (UDL) principles to ensure that learning experiences work for all children, with and without disabilities
• Encourage language and literacy development with suggestions for weaving reading into problem-solving experiences and using language to prompt children's thinking skills
• Promote other skills needed for school success, including social-emotional skills, self-regulation, and executive functioning

What's new: Three new themes: computational thinking, makerspaces, and inclusion and equity in STEM; Every lesson plan updated; More lessons based on new children's books; New art/music/drama lesson options for STEAM-focused schools; More coverage of spatial development; Expanded information on assessment; Updated book resources and references

About the Author
Angi Stone-MacDonald, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts Boston in the Early Education and Care in Inclusive Settings program. Dr. Stone-MacDonald has worked with children with disabilities and their families for the last 17 years as a paraprofessional, teacher, consultant, and researcher. Her areas of research include early intervention, international special education for children with developmental disabilities, and teacher preparation for early intervention.

Anne Douglass, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Massachusetts at Boston, where she directs the Bachelor's degree program in Early Education and Care in Inclusive Settings. Dr. Douglass's research focuses on early childhood policy, professional development, quality improvement, and leadership.

Mary Lu Love, M.S. is Lecturer/Director of Early Childhood Services at the Institute for Community Inclusion at University of Massachusetts Boston, where she manages grants, evaluation projects and variety of grant work in the early childhood field.

Kristen Wendell, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of Elementary Science Education at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Her teaching and research interests include pre-service and in-service teacher education in science and engineering and the integration of engineering design into children's science, reading, and writing experiences.


Book Information
ISBN 9781681257495
Author Angi Stone-MacDonald
Format Paperback
Page Count 248
Imprint Brookes Publishing Co
Publisher Brookes Publishing Co
Weight(grams) 306g