Parents, family members, and other adults can play critical roles in helping their multilingual preschool-age children confront the stresses and trauma of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. This brief highlights various language practices of multilingual children that deserve to be respected and nurtured through daily conversations and…

Young children's development takes place across multiple strands to support readiness for literacy and other academic learning. These strands include: (1) physical development; (2) social engagement; and (3) language development. This article describes some common things that can be looked for within each of these strands when children are three…

The guide presents a collection of over 200 microcomputer programs appropriate for home education. All software packages have been evaluated by at least two reviewing agencies using the following criteria: (1) emphasis on user control of the learning process; (2) usable by several age groups; (3) usable for remedial purposes as well as first-time…

It is well known that children's language development lays the foundation for their literacy development, though it is difficult for preschool teachers alone to consistently engage in the individual interactions necessary to boost children's language skills. Given that parents are their children's first teachers, it is imperative to consider how…

This practical resource explains brain development from prenatal to age 8 with suggestions for activities educators and caregivers can use to foster children's cognitive growth. The authors begin with the basics of brain development, and the issues that affect it, and then provide information specific to infant, toddler, preschool, and…

This book was written to help parents understand and enhance their children's development in mathematics and language. The first section sets forth basic learning goals in mathematics and language for preschool and kindergarten children and students in the first and second grades. The second section provides approximately 100 language and math…

This manual, intended for the parents of new pre-school students, presents information on the organization and curriculum of Alberta's French-language pre-school programs for native speakers of French. Written from the point of view of a fictional pre-school teacher, the manual responds to parents' frequently asked questions on topics such as…

The Ohio Department of Education (ODE), Office for Exceptional Children (OEC) oversees statewide preschool special education programs with school districts, approved providers and parents. Special Education and related services are available for children from the age of three through age 21 who have been identified with a disability. The…

Aspects of the spoken language development of the preschool and primary school child are briefly covered, with specific attention given to receptive and expressive language, semantics, syntax, memory, articulation, pragmatics, and metalanguage. Developmental norms are indicated in the areas of vocabulary development, sentence structure…

Many parents wonder what they can do to ensure that their preschoolers will be successful when they enter school, especially now with so much emphasis on state testing and learning standards. Through play and everyday activities such as cooking, cleaning, and grocery shopping, young children acquire the information and skills needed to learn more…

The Big Lift™ (Big Lift) is a preschool-third-grade collective impact initiative in San Mateo County, California. The initiative is a partnership of the County of San Mateo, San Mateo County Office of Education, and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Launched in 2012, the initiative aims to boost children's reading proficiency by third grade…

The study examined effects of a combined teacher-parent behavior management program focusing on inappropriate behaviors in the school and homes of five preschool children with developmental and/or language delays, behavior disorders, and/or multiple handicaps. A special education teacher/trainer collaborated with parents to select target behaviors…

Noting that the roots of reading and writing begin long before children enter school and that parents set the stage for the development of reading and writing skills, this booklet explains the ways children read and write in their early years and what parents can do to support their child's learning. Based on the High/Scope preschool key…

Shared interactive book reading (SIBR) is a broad term used to describe the act of adults reading aloud to children, while encouraging interaction by asking questions and engaging in a discussion about the book. SIBR can be used to embed naturalistic communication teaching strategies, creating learning opportunities to promote a child's language…

This guidance report offers early years professionals seven practical evidence-based recommendations to provide every child--but particularly those from disadvantaged homes--with a high quality and well-rounded grounding in early literacy, language and communication. One recommendation focuses on the importance of high quality interactions between…