Teaching Numeracy, Language and Literacy with Blocks

P/B • 215mm x 280mm • 152 pages
ISBN 9781929610785

Use block play to address academic standards, develop core skills, and have fun! Effectively develop the emerging skills – numbers, vocabulary, and reading – children need for kindergarten readiness by enhancing how you use block play in your classroom. Newburger and Vaughan provide a theoretical foundation on why and how blocks are used, as well as information on selecting blocks and block safety. This is a real how-to book you don’t need to read from beginning to end. Simply find the chapter that suits your setting or curriculum and tailor it for a perfect fit!

With chapters on the seven developmental stages of block building in young children, Teaching Numeracy, Language, and Literacy with Blocks illuminates the learning potential in the common uses of block play, including:

constructing doorways and bridges
building fences and walls
reating patterns with blocks
using blocks in make-believe games
making known things

Each chapter includes helpful suggestions on watching and listening, what to say, and what to do, as well as charts matching behaviours, content, and concepts to academic standards. No matter what curriculum a program may employ, this essential and original book will help child care professionals make the block area a place for young children to develop cognitively, physically, socially, and creatively. Most important, they will learn while they do what’s natural for them – play.

Contents:

Acknowledgments
Introduction: How to Use This Book

Chapter 1: Why Blocks?

Chapter 2: Basic Learning Rules for Young Children

Chapter 3: Basic Learning Rules for Young Children – Language and Literacy

Chapter 4: Discovering

Chapter 5: Towers and Roads

Chapter 6: Doorways and Bridges

Chapter 7: Fences and Walls

Chapter 8: Patterns

Chapter 9: Pretending

Chapter 10: Making Known Things

Chapter 11: Safety

Chapter 12: Useful Information