Comprehensive, well-researched, and well-organized . . . this book is reflective of the authors’ deep knowledge of young dual language learners (DLLs) that comes from their own experiences, studies, and myriad opportunities to engage with DLLs in schools. This book is a must-read for administrators and teachers seeking educational guidance that esteems the languages and cultures of the children they serve.

—Lisa Tabaku, Director, Global Languages and Cultures Education, Center for Applied Linguistics

In this timely and reader-friendly book, the authors present important guidance to early childhood educators on how to create additive bilingual education learning experiences and classroom environments for young bilingual learners. The book offers practical perspectives and developmentally appropriate practices that promote and celebrate young dual language learners’ linguistical and cultural assets.

—Sonia W. Soltero, PhD Professor and Chair, Department of Leadership, Language and Curriculum, DePaul University

This book provides educators with a comprehensive overview of dual language education and how to best meet the educational needs of dual language learners. The book is an excellent resource because it gives tools and strategies to guide emerging dual language educators.

—Rebecca A. Heneise, Dual Language Demonstration Teacher, UCLA Lab School

This book is a celebration of children particularly those who are blessed to be learning two languages simultaneously.   Focusing on the strengths and assets of dual language learners and their families, this book applies the principles of dual language to early childhood contexts offering concrete and assets-based guidance for schools and teachers.  The field has been clamoring for a book on early childhood dual language development for decades and this book fills that void. ¡Felicidades to the authors!

—Kathy Escamilla, Professor of Education, University of Colorado, Boulder

The Essentials: Supporting Dual Language Learners in Diverse Environments in Preschool and Kindergarten text truly is a comprehensive resource on dual language instruction. Readers are provided with easily implementable ideas and teaching strategies that support all children, especially dual language learners. Resources are solidly grounded in foundational research about language acquisition. This text is a must-read for early childhood educators.

I wish that I had this text when I first began my career as an early childhood educator. Though I am now well into my career, I found myself learning new concepts and getting ideas for innovative ways to create a classroom that honors cultural and linguistic diversity. This text highlights strategies that are not only best practice for dual language learners, but for all children.

—Laura Latta, Adjunct Professor of Early Childhood Education, University of Oklahoma Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education