Higher Level Thinking, Brain Science

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a parent or teacher reading with a child
Article
Young Children
September 1, 2022

Extending the Math in Picture Books

In this article, we discuss the benefits of engaging children in math learning through shared reading, outlining strategies that early childhood educators can use to extend the math during shared reading of both mathematical and non-mathematical books.

Authored by

Authored by: Megan Onesti Colleen Uscianowski Michèle M. Mazzocco
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children discussing something at a table while writing
Article
Young Children
September 1, 2022

Promoting Algebraic Reasoning in the Early Years

Teachers can help children build the foundations of algebraic reasoning in preschool and elementary school by focusing on topics critical to algebra by using concrete objects found in any early learning setting or home and by offering simple activities.

Authored by

Authored by: Lindsey Perry
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the cover of the publication young children, Volume 77, Number 3
Issue
Young Children
Vol. 77, No. 3
September 1, 2022

Fall 2022

Early Math Learning: Intentional Instruction, Playful Experiences
This issue of Young Children offers articles pairing essential math concepts with effective, engaging practices for early childhood settings.
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a childs painting of a butterfly
Article
Teaching Young Children
July 1, 2022

"How Do You Spell Butterfly?" Connecting Play to Content Learning

In this article, Jenna Valasek explains how she uses open-ended materials with intentional teacher planning and scaffolding to engage children in active thinking, social interactions, and joyful learning across multiple areas.

Authored by

Authored by: Jenna Valasek
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A group of children watching their teacher instruct.
Article
Teaching Young Children
April 1, 2022

Exploring Children’s Thinking About Data

In this excerpt of our book The Young Child and Mathematics, third edition, we showcase children’s thinking about data as a teacher engages her preschoolers in a data-centric activity.

Authored by

Authored by: Angela Chan Turrou Nicholas C. Johnson Megan L. Franke
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A child looking into a slide.
Article
Teaching Young Children
April 1, 2022

Promoting Spatial Orientation: A Math Activity for Teachers and Families

The following classroom activity and its home extension include step-by-step instructions and sample questions to promote conversations about spatial orientation to build children’s reasoning processes and spatial terminology.

Authored by

Authored by: Lindsey Perry Eloise Aniag Kuehnert Leanne Ketterlin Geller
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the cover of the publication Teaching young children, Volume 15, Number 1
Issue
Teaching Young Children
Vol. 15, No. 3
April 1, 2022

Spring 2022

A Focus on Math
This issue of Teaching Young Children is packed with suggestions to make math meaningful, engaging, and playful for young children.
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a child looking at an insect
Article
Teaching Young Children
January 3, 2022

Making the Most of Teachable Moments

Even the smallest moment has great potential for learning. But what makes a moment “teachable,” and how can early childhood educators transform an everyday occurrence into such a learning experience?

Authored by

Authored by: Karen Walker
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a parent with a child on  a tablet
Blog
December 13, 2021

Four Ways to Use Tablets to Foster Early Math Learning

Here, we describe four ways to use tablets in developmentally appropriate ways to foster preschoolers’ early math learning.

Authored by

Authored by: Jessica Mercer Young Ashley Lewis Presser
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Children play with blocks and dinosaur figurines.
Article
Teaching Young Children
September 1, 2021

Sparking Creativity with Cross-Area Play

Cross-area play is rooted in the idea that when children are given the freedom to experiment with materials in open-ended ways, their play can transform into elaborate, complex plots and offer rich developmental opportunities.

Authored by

Authored by: Lydia Minahan Jessica Byrd Sarah Dwyer Sandra Romp Layney Viets Ekaterina Strekalova-Hughes
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a collage of images of children drawing
Article
Teaching Young Children
September 1, 2021

Exploring Nature Indoors with Observational Drawing and Scientific Thinking

One valuable way we can support children’s exploration of nature is by teaching them how to observe carefully and create observational drawings, which encourage children to understand and question their world.

Authored by

Authored by: Kendra Nenia Melissa Clucas Walter
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A child plays a shapes activity.
Article
Young Children
September 1, 2021

Intentional Teaching Moments: Supporting Executive Function Development and Early Mathematics Through a Geometry Activity

Enhanced by math activities, higher-order mental skills and abilities serve as the behind-the-scenes machinery that facilitates young children’s ability to engage in and demonstrate their learning competency.

Authored by

Authored by: Holland W. Banse Douglas H. Clements Julie Sarama Crystal Day-Hess Marisa Simoni Candace Joswick
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the cover of the publication young children, Volume 76, Number 3
Issue
Young Children
Vol. 76, No. 3
September 1, 2021

Fall 2021

Supporting Literacy Through Engaging Instruction & Materials
The Fall 2021 issue of Young Children includes a cluster of articles offering a variety of practices and materials to help early childhood educators foster a love of literacy and support early reading, writing, listening, and speaking development.
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