Hirsh, Rae Ann : Independent Early Childhood and Elementary Consultant
Summary
This text introduces the early childhood student to the essential aspects of the early childhood curriculum:
intelligence and potential, developmentally appropriate practice, healthy relationships, play, values, assessment,
and planning.
This text allows the student to recall, interpret, summarize, associate, relate, apply, create, design, assess,
and discriminate the information presented through intriguing journal questions and activities. It uses the multiple
intelligence theory as a way of looking at the individual potential that exists for young children and as a strategy
for organizing the content of the early childhood curriculum.
The text is motivating and offers inspiration for new teachers through quotes, journal activities, vignettes, and
photographs. Current brain and intelligence research offers the student the opportunity to see the science behind
the pedagogy. This text supports the creativity of the teacher, while offering both theoretical and practical perspectives.
Students can use this book as a foundation for their curriculum in their own early childhood classrooms once they
have graduated.
Features :
"Reflective Journal Questions/Activities" throughout offer preservice teachers practical strategies
for extending the information presented in the text.
An historical timeline presents the history of the multiple intelligence theory in an appealing/visual way
(Ch. 2).
Child work samples and photographs illustrate development of symbols in each of the intelligence chapters (Chs.
3, 4, 5 & 6).
Vignettes throughout enable students to transfer the theory to practice and encourage debate and discussion
regarding issues related to values in the classroom.
"Developmental Progression of Play" tables enable students to see the connection between materials,
interactions, and play stages (Ch. 8).
Sample portfolios include work samples, checklists, photographs, and anecdotal records to demonstrate appropriate
assessment techniques (Ch. 11).
A sample project--complete with illustrations, work samples, lesson plans, and photographs models for students
the process involved in project work with young children (Ch. 7).
Sample room arrangement drawings and photographs demonstrate appropriate room arrangements and placement of
students (Ch. 8).
