Resources | National Association for the Education of Young Children

Need resources for your Week of the Young Child™ activities? Below is a selection of NAEYC resources, organized by topic. The selection includes documents on the NAEYC website, articles from two of NAEYC’s periodicals—Young Children and Teaching Young Children, suggested books, and more!

PLAY
Play and Children’s Learning This collection of NAEYC resources provides information on the latest research on play, why play is an important part of children's learning and development, the role of play in the classroom, and ideas to share with families. Assessing and Scaffolding Make Believe Play by Deborah J. Leong and Elena Bodrova This article explores how mature make-believe play provides unique learning opportunities. Block Off Time for Learning by Laura J. Colker This article explains how when children play with blocks, they learn math, literacy, social skills, and so much more. 10 Things Every Parent Should Know about Play by Laurel Bongiorno Play and learning go hand in hand. This article shares ten important things that families should know about play. References to Play in NAEYC Position Statements This document lists all references to play in NAEYC’s position statements. *Big Body Play* by Frances Carlson Children love rough and rowdy play, and they need it. This book discusses why. Play is FUNdamental Brochure This brochure describes how parents and teachers can make children’s play an enriching experience. Back to top
Supporting All Families
NAEYC’s Engaging Diverse Families Project The NAEYC Engaging Diverse Families project identified policies and practices exemplary programs use to engage diverse families successfully. On Our Minds. Children—Socioeconomic Class and Equity by Louise Derman-Sparks, Chris Amihault, Sandy Baba, Natalie Seer The authors of this article offer questions to help teachers think and talk about social class prejudices and present ways to support, in the classroom, the value and contributions of all families to the community and children's lives. Children’s Books about Families Teachers can draw on this suggested list of books books to explore the rich diversity of families with preschoolers. Coping with Tragedies This list provides links to online resources for parents, teachers, and others working with young children about coping with violence and talking to young children about tragedies they learn about in the media. Strengthening Families™ (resources from the Center for the Study of Social Policy) Strengthening Families is a framework developed by the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) over the last decade to prevent child abuse and neglect. Their website provides more information about how this approach helps child welfare systems, early education and other programs work with parents to build five protective factors. Caring for Every Child's Mental Health (resources from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) SAMHSA's "Caring for Every Child's Mental Health" public awareness effort was created in 1994 with the mission to increase awareness around children's mental health. Their website provides information, resources, materials about children's mental health. Responding to Linguistic and Cultural Diversity Position Statement NAEYC’s recommendations emphasize that early childhood programs are responsible for creating a welcoming environment that respects diversity, supports children’s ties to their families and community, and promotes both second language acquisition and preservation of children’s home languages and cultural identities. *Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves* by Louise Derman-Sparks and Julie Olsen Edwards This is a practical guide to confronting and eliminating barriers of prejudice, misinformation, and bias about specific aspects of personal and social identity; most importantly, find tips for helping staff and children respect each other, themselves, and all people. Teaching Young Children to Resist Bias: What Parents Can Do Brochure This brochure includes tips for parents to help children appreciate diversity and deal with others' biases. Back to top
Teaching and Teachers
Appreciating Teachers This article provides suggestions for showing appreciation to teachers all year long. 10X. Inspirations This article lists 10 inspirational quotes for teachers. Twelve Characteristics of Effective Early Childhood Teachers by Laura Colker In this article, the author explores what it takes to be a effective early childhood teacher. Taking Care of Yourself Teachers have a rewarding, but intense and demanding job. This article presents 10 strategies teachers can employ to bounce back and beat stress. Powerful Interactions Begin with You by Amy Laura Dombro, Charlotte Stetson, and Judy Jablon This article presents tips to help teachers have powerful interactions with children. *From the Inside Out: The Power of Reflection and Self-Awareness* by Paula Jorde Bloom Through thought-provoking questions and engaging exercises, this installment of the popular “Director’s Toolbox” series helps teachers assess their journey through adulthood, identify the gap between their current and ideal employment, and become their own mentor. *Children of 2020: Creating a Better Tomorrow* by Valora Washington and J.D. Andrews This book explores the potential and opportunities over the next ten years and invites readers to advance the early care and education field through “smart improvisation.” Careers in Early Childhood Education This brochure describes what it takes to work with young children, as well as options for training and job opportunities. Back to top
Health and Fitness
Childhood Obesity Prevention Resources This is a compilation of resources for planning childhood obesity prevention efforts. “Early Sprouts:” Establishing Healthy Food Choices for Young Children by Karrie A. Kalich, Dottie Bauer, and Deirdre McPartlin This article focuses on successful gardening, cooking, and nutrition activities that decrease the risk of obesity and other chronic diseases by helping young children and their families learn to choose healthy foods. 12X. Increasing Children’s Physical Activity This article presents 12 tips to help preschoolers learn and explore different movement skills. Spend Time Outdoors with Your Child This article presents several different ideas families can use to spend more time outdoors. Healthy, Fit Families This article provides suggestions families can use with children to promote healthy habits. *The Cooking Book: Fostering Young Children’s Learning and Delight* by Laura J. Colker Author Laura Colker has decades of experience cooking with children and teaching early childhood educators to do so. In The Cooking Book, she shares that experience and scores of kid-tested recipes. Keeping Healthy: Parents, Teachers, and Children Brochure This brochure offers tips for program staff and parents on ways to keep children in early childhood programs healthy. Includes practical ways to encourage proper hygiene and handle illnesses. Back to top
Additional Resources
To find additional resources, use the following links: Early Childhood Education Topics This page offers resources on a range of topics, including developmentally appropriate practice, positive guidance, and technology and young children. NAEYC Online Store Find and purchase books, brochures, multimedia products, posters, gift items, and more. Members save 20% on all items! NAEYC Position Statements NAEYC’s Position Statements state the Association's position on issues related to early childhood education practice, policy, and/or professional development and can all be downloaded free of charge. For Families Website This site provides information on finding quality child care, articles about how children learn, creative learning ideas to try at home, and a searchable database to help families locate centers and schools accredited by NAEYC. Young Children Search Find articles from NAEYC’s peer-reviewed journal, Young Children, which focuses on children from birth through age 8. Teaching Young Children (TYC) The website of TYC, NAEYC’s magazine for preschool educators, includes articles from past issues, links, resources, and Message in a Backpack, a series of one-page articles designed to be shared with families. Back to top