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Writing for Teaching Young Children

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Thank you for your interest in writing for Teaching Young Children (TYC), NAEYC’s magazine for preschool teachers.  

Before submitting your idea:

1. Browse the articles and tips on the TYC website.
2. Review our writing guidelines.
3. Learn more about the decision and publication process.
4. Upload your submission through Editorial Manager. After creating an account, you will see instructions for manuscript submission. You can view tutorials on the Editorial Manager website or contact the TYC editorial staff at [email protected] if you need assistance.
5. Nominate an outstanding teacher to appear on TYC's cover and be profiled in a corresponding feature.

Although we are not able to provide specific feedback on all submissions, we will contact you if your submission is a good match for the current needs of Teaching Young Children. Articles selected for publication are considered a contribution to the profession; authors do not receive fees or royalties.

Writing Guidelines

Please keep the following in mind when you submit your work:

Audience

The primary audience for TYC is preschool teachers, assistant teachers, and family child care providers who work with preschool-aged children.

Writing Guidelines

TYC publishes a few different kinds of articles and tips, and we need all types for each issue of the magazine. In general, TYC does not publish content or promotional pieces that focus on (or promote) one organization's products or services as editorial content.

We are actively looking for the following types of content:

  1. Tips: Short and to the point. Word count - 300-500 words. See 10X Good Job Alternatives.
  2. Articles and stories: Descriptions of research-based best practices and innovative ideas as well as personal essays on life as a preschool teacher. Word count - 500-1200 words. See the Boo-Boo Curriculum and How Process Art Supports Preschoolers.
  3. A picture is worth 1000 words: Photos with captions that tell a story. In general, each caption should be no more than 20 words.
  4. A great classroom activity.

 

Teaching Young Children publishes 4 times a year, in Spring, Fall, Summer, and Winter. Each issue has a theme, with at least 3 articles related to it. The table below provides the themes for upcoming TYC issues, along with the due dates for submitting articles. 

We look forward to continuing to highlight current thinking on promising practices in early childhood education, innovations in the field, research and its implications, and interesting ideas for and from preschool teachers.

Issue Date

Theme

Submission Due Date

Fall 2023
Advancing Equity in Preschool: Practical Strategies
This theme will focus on practical ways that educators can translate and apply ideals, expectations, and commitments related to equity into early learning programs. We are seeking submissions that are framed by NAEYC’s position statements on advancing equity and on developmentally appropriate practice and that showcase how preschool educators and programs can plan and implement equitable practices for each and every child.
February 17, 2023
Winter 2024
Literacy Practices for Preschool
Literacy development begins at birth, and the early years that follow are critical for literacy learning and success. In this issue, we will focus on intentional, playful ways to foster early literacy development in preschool settings. Articles may focus on a specific practice or use of the environment to ensure that each and every preschooler has access to enriching literacy learning experiences. 
May 1, 2023
Spring 2024
Individuality: Supporting Each and Every Preschooler
Each child brings strengths, interests, and prior experiences to the preschool setting. The early years are also a time when questions, concerns, and areas for more intensive support may occur too. Understanding individuality and individualized practices and services are critical components of preschool education. In this issue, we focus on how preschool educators can learn about and be responsive to individual strengths and needs, including tapping into community and other resources to help each and every child learn and develop to their fullest potential.
August 1, 2023
Summer 2024
Nurturing Multilingual Learners in Preschool
While there is recognition about the power of growing in more than one language, early childhood educators may not know how best to support multilingual learners in their settings. In this issue, we will focus on fundamental information about how multilingual learners develop in the language domain. We will also concentrate on responsive practices for teaching multilingual learners, including connections between home and school languages.
November 3, 2023
Fall 2024
Balancing Formats and Choice in Preschool
Taking a “both/and” view, preschool education should include a combination of child- and teacher-guided experiences that are informed by learning goals and objectives. This involves intentional decision making about when and how to implement different formats for learning experiences (whole group, small group, one-on-one) as well as about choice (limited to open-ended). We are seeking submissions that highlight how to effectively plan and implement one or more of these formats. We are also seeking submissions that outline how to effectively offer choice during one or more parts of the preschool day. 
February 2, 2024

Format and writing tips

  • Present information using bullets, subheadings, lists, checklists, and high-resolution photographs, if available.
  • Use plain language that is straightforward and easy for readers to understand. It’s also okay for content to be funny and to have some personality.
  • Provide specific, practical tips and strategies for teachers.
  • Content must be research-based, reflect developmentally appropriate practice, and include ideas on how to support children and families from diverse backgrounds, including dual language learners.

Photos

If you have high-resolution photographs that go along with your content, include them with your submission. See the Photo Submission Guidelines for more information.

Decision and Publication Process

Notification of decision: We will let you know if your content is accepted for publication, if a revision is requested, or if we will not be publishing the content at this time.

Editing: All submissions are subject to editorial review and revisions, copyediting, and design. We will share edits with you, pose queries, and ask for additional information, as needed.

Copyright and clearance requirements: Before publication, we will provide copyright and clearance forms to ensure that NAEYC has the rights to publish the content. We also require the rights to use all photographs and videos. Photographers must obtain and maintain model releases from the subjects of the photos/videos. See our Photography Guidelines for more information.

TYC Cover Teacher Nominations  

Teaching Young Children features an outstanding preschool teacher in each issue of the magazine. Teachers who are selected appear on the cover of the magazine and are profiled in a corresponding feature.

If you know an exemplary preschool teacher who deserves to be honored in this way, please complete the Nomination Form. Nominations are accepted year-round.

Submit to TYC here!       

Upload your submission on the TYC Editorial Manager site.

Interested in writing for other NAEYC publications?

Check out our author guidelines for:

 
Age: Preschool
Topics: TYC

For Authors and Photographers

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