Young Learners, Diverse Children
Celebrating Diversity in Early Childhood
- Virginia Gonzalez - University of Cincinnati, USA
Foreword by Eugene E. García
"This is the first resource I have seen on this up-and-coming issue. The book takes a detailed, research-based look at a diverse population of children across the country and can be used effectively by classroom teachers, school divisions, and colleges."
—Katina Keener, Second-Grade Teacher
T. C. Walker Elementary School, Gloucester, VA
Nurture young children's self-esteem and boost learning by integrating family culture with instruction!
For the increasing number of diverse young learners, academic and social success can hinge on a teacher's ability to bridge home and school by making emotional connections with students and their families. This book demonstrates how combining teaching methods with an authentic appreciation of children's backgrounds builds the confidence they need to succeed.
Young Learners, Diverse Children offers a research-based instructional model that merges cognition, language, and culture to foster a supportive learning environment for diverse and low socioeconomic status (SES) students. Drawing on her direct experience in establishing a successful laboratory school for diverse preschoolers, Virginia Gonzalez presents examples of best teaching practices and provides lesson plans and alternative assessment tools to help readers:
- Improve literacy skills through storytelling that reflects students' everyday lives
- Collaborate with parents to increase student achievement
- Correlate curriculum with TESOL standards for young children
- Integrate academic standards across developmental levels and content areas
Using this practical handbook, early childhood educators can create richer, more positive learning experiences and help alleviate the real-life challenges of cultural adaptation for newly immigrated or low SES students and their families.
"This book guides the reader in delivering developmentally appropriate instruction that supports the whole child and facilitates learning and academic achievement. The very detailed case study in Chapter 5 shows how assessment can be administered and how it links with instruction and documenting developmental growth."
"A resource on this up-and-coming issue hasn’t been available up to this point. It takes a detailed, research-based look at a diverse population of children across the country and can be used by classroom teachers, school divisions, and colleges.”
“This book provides many real-life examples and strategies that have worked for a practicing teacher, from implementing an appropriate curriculum to including the family in discussions about their child’s education. The charts at the end of the chapters really help the reader synthesize all of the information.”
"An extremely valuable resource for early child educators of young diverse children. Not only does the book include alternate forms of instruction for diverse young children, but it also provides alternative forms of assessment. The ethnic educator philosophy endorsed by the book is one that can be applied to any classroom setting. All early childhood teachers, whether they have been teaching for twenty years or are just beginning their career, should read this book."
Sample Materials & Chapters
Gonzalez_Young Learners, Diverse Children_Preface
Gonzalez_Young Learners, Diverse Children_Chapter 1