Description
This book answers the question what do early childhood educators need to understand to better address the linguistic, cognitive, and socio-emotional needs of all DLLs in their classrooms? The majority of the teachers in dual language programs with Spanish and English-dominant speakers learn academic content in two languages. It is through this lens that the authors have approached the writing of this text. There are however, over 350 languages spoken within the U.S (U.S. Census, 2015). This means emergent bilingual children come from a variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. While teachers cannot be expected to teach in all languages, the basic principles of this book help teachers gain a richer understanding of the interdependent relationship among culture, language, and learning. With this understanding, teachers can implement intentional practices that nurture children's bilingual identities and augment their growth in all developmental domains through the concepts and strategies presented in this text.
About the Author
Iliana Alanis, PhD, a native of South Texas, is a professor of early childhood and elementary education in the department of interdisciplinary learning and teaching at the University of Texas-San Antonio. She taught children in bilingual first- and second-grade classrooms while earning a master's degree in curriculum and instruction with a concentration in bilingual education from the University of Texas-Pan American.
Maria G. Arreguin, EdD, is an associate professor of early childhood and elementary education in the department of interdisciplinary learning and teaching at the University of Texas-San Antonio. She earned her doctoral degree in Bilingual Education at the Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Her research on dual language education, early childhood education, dyad learning and dialogue, and critical science pedagogy illuminates the intricacies of cultural and linguistic factors that influence minority children's access to education in early childhood and elementary bilingual settings.
Irasema Salinas-Gonzalez, EdD, is an associate professor and coordinator of the early care and early childhood studies program at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). During her 29 years in the bilingual and early childhood education fields, she has been a preschool and kindergarten teacher and reading specialist, and has worked with preservice and in-service teachers. She received her MEd in Early Childhood Education from the University of Texas-Pan American and her EdD in Bilingual Education from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Her work focuses on language and literacy development of young dual language learners through play, the development of cognitive skills of dual language learners through play-based learning, and creating engaging classroom environments for young dual language learners.
Reviews
This book provides educators with a comprehensive overview of dual language education and how to best meet the educational needs of dual language learners. The book is an excellent resource because it gives tools and strategies to guide emerging dual language educators. -- Rebecca A. Heneise, * UCLA Lab School *
In this timely and reader-friendly book, the authors present important guidance to early childhood educators on how to create additive bilingual education learning experiences and classroom environments for young bilingual learners. The book offers practical perspectives and developmentally appropriate practices that promote and celebrate young dual language learners' linguistical and cultural assets. -- Sonia W. Soltero * DePaul University *
This book is a celebration of children particularly those who are blessed to be learning two languages simultaneously. Focusing on the strengths and assets of dual language learners and their families, this book applies the principles of dual language to early childhood contexts offering concrete and assets-based guidance for schools and teachers. The field has been clamoring for a book on early childhood dual language development for decades and this book fills that void. !Felicidades to the authors! -- Kathy Escamilla * University of Colorado, Boulder *
The Essentials: Supporting Dual Language Learners in Diverse Environments in Preschool and Kindergarten text truly is a comprehensive resource on dual language instruction. Readers are provided with easily implementable ideas and teaching strategies that support all children, especially dual language learners. Resources are solidly grounded in foundational research about language acquisition. This text is a must-read for early childhood educators. I wish that I had this text when I first began my career as an early childhood educator. Though I am now well into my career, I found myself learning new concepts and getting ideas for innovative ways to create a classroom that honors cultural and linguistic diversity. This text highlights strategies that are not only best practice for dual language learners, but for all children. -- Laura Latta * University of Oklahoma Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education *
Comprehensive, well-researched, and well-organized . . . this book is reflective of the authors' deep knowledge of young dual language learners (DLLs) that comes from their own experiences, studies, and myriad opportunities to engage with DLLs in schools. This book is a must-read for administrators and teachers seeking educational guidance that esteems the languages and cultures of the children they serve. -- Lisa Tabaku, Director, Global Languages * Center for Applied Linguistics *
Book Information
ISBN 9781938113819
Author Iliana Alans
Format Paperback
Page Count 104
Imprint National Association for the Education of Young Children
Publisher National Association for the Education of Young Children
