Description
The number of dual language learners in early childhood classrooms is expanding every year—and teachers often feel underprepared to bridge language barriers and effectively meet these students' learning needs. Help is here in this book—a toolbox of today's best strategies for supporting children and families from diverse backgrounds and ensuring the academic and social success of young dual language learners.
Early childhood educators will get an invaluable collection of 45 practical, developmentally appropriate strategies for teaching dual language learners (both Spanish speakers and children who speak other languages). Real-world guidance helps teachers apply each strategy in their own classrooms, and the activities, reflection questions, and resources in Spanish will support educators in strengthening their current teaching practices. A much-needed resource for in-service professional development and preservice courses, this timely book will help educators foster the success of inclusive early childhood classrooms and prevent achievement gaps for dual language learners.
DISCOVER HOW TO
- Set up and organize your learning environment to support dual language learners
- Create a diverse classroom community where childrens challenges and needs are anticipated
- Use culturally responsive classroom management practices that engage diverse learners
- Strengthen social-emotional learning for dual language learners
- Promote early academic skills and make learning activities accessible to children of all cultural backgrounds
- Use music and movement to increase student engagement and boost language development
- Partner with families and engage them in childrens academic and social-emotional learning
PRACTICAL MATERIALS: Reinforce your learning with classroom activities; chapter quizzes; reflection questions; Spanish songs, vocabulary, and books for the classroom; lists of additional resources; and a glossary. Sample letters and forms help you communicate with families and evaluate student needs (all forms are photocopiable and available online).
Reviews
Review by: James Cox, Editor-in-Chief, Midwest Book Review
"A much-needed resource for in-service professional development and preservice courses, 45 Strategies That Support Young Dual Language Learners will help Preschool/Kindergarten teachers foster the success of inclusive early childhood classrooms and prevent achievement gaps for dual language learners ages 3 to 5."
Review by: Sandra Barrueco, The Catholic University of America
"This is exactly the type of information that early childhood professionals need in their training and professional development. It provides an impressive combination of practical and empirically-based recommendations. The writing style is impeccable and the information is presented in a thoughtful manner. "
Table of Contents
About the Downloads
About the Authors
Foreword
Note to the Reader
Acknowledgments
1. INTRODUCTION TO DUAL LANGUAGE LEARNERS
2. GETTING STARTED: FOUNDATIONS FOR SUPPORTING DUAL
LANGUAGE LEARNERS
Strategy 1: Get Comfortable with Key Terms and Definitions
Strategy 2: Expand Your Knowledge of Dual Language Learners and Their
Families
Strategy 3: Understand the Benefits of Being a Dual Language Learner
Strategy 4: Support Development of the Home Language and English
Strategy 5: Implement Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices
3. SETTING UP YOUR CLASSROOM TO SUPPORT DUAL LANGUAGE
LEARNERS
Strategy 6: Get to Know the Children in Your Class and Their Families
Strategy 7: Establish a Welcoming Learning Environment
Strategy 8: Organize the Classroom to Support Success
Strategy 9: Embed Best Practices
Appendix 3.1 Vocabulary Word Lists: Common Words and Phrases for the
Beginning of the Year
Appendix 3.2 Sample Parent Questionnaire in English
Appendix 3.3 Sample Parent Questionnaire in Spanish
4. FOSTERING A CLASSROOM COMMUNITY OF DIVERSE LEARNERS
Strategy 10: Set the Foundation for Warm and Trusting Relationships
Strategy 11: Anticipate Childrens Challenges and Needs
Strategy 12: Create a Classroom Community
Strategy 13: Frame Diversity as a Strength
Appendix 4.1 Identifying Student Needs
5. USING CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT PRACTICES THAT SUPPORT
DIVERSE LEARNERS
Strategy 14: Narrate Childrens Actions to Promote Self-Regulation and
Language Development
Strategy 15: Apply Best Practices to Classroom Management
Strategy 16: Plan and Support Transitions
Strategy 17: Be a Positive Role Model for Behavior Standards
Strategy 18: Keep a Sense of Humor and Be Flexible
6. SUPPORTING SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING FOR DUAL
LANGUAGE LEARNERS
Strategy 19: Create an Emotionally Supportive Classroom
Strategy 20: Recognize and Scaffold Childrens Social and Emotional
Needs
Strategy 21: Teach Social and Emotional Skills
Strategy 22: Support Social and Emotional Development in English and in
Each Childs Home Language
Strategy 23: Involve Families in Childrens Social and Emotional Learning
Strategy 24: Use a Growth Mindset to Teach Social and Emotional Skills
Appendix 6.1 Vocabulary Word List: Feeling Words in English and Spanish
7. ENHANCING EARLY ACADEMIC SKILLS FOR DUAL LANGUAGE
LEARNERS
Strategy 25: Make Learning Activities Accessible to Diverse Learners
Strategy 26: Embed Best Practices into Read-Alouds
Strategy 27: Embed Best Practices into Math and Science Activities
Strategy 28: Draw Connections Between Activities and Childrens Home
Language and Culture
Strategy 29: Engage Families in Childrens Learning
Appendix 7.1 Vocabulary Word List: Numbers, Shapes, Math Language,
and Spanish Alphabet
Appendix 7.2 Classroom Books for the Dual Language Learner Classroom
8. ENGAGING DUAL LANGUAGE LEARNERS THROUGH MUSIC AND
MOVEMENT
Strategy 30: Learn About Culture Through Music and Movement
Strategy 31: Invite Children and Families to Share Music with the
Classroom
Strategy 32: Share Classroom Music with Families
Strategy 33: Build Childrens Vocabulary and Early Literacy Skills Through
Music
Appendix 8.1 Music Vocabulary
Appendix 8.2 Childrens Songs in English and Spanish
9. ENGAGING FAMILIES FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS
Strategy 34: Help Children Prepare for the Transition to School
Strategy 35: Promote Regular Communication with Families
Strategy 36: Provide Families with Ways to Be Engaged in School
Strategy 37: Approach Challenging Conversations with Empathy and
Understanding
Strategy 38: Ask Families for Feedback
10. CONTINUING TO GROW THROUGH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Strategy 39: Develop Cultural Awareness and Adopt Self-Reflective
Practices
Strategy 40: Expand Your Multicultural Knowledge
Strategy 41: Participate in Professional Development Activities
Strategy 42: Learn How to Effectively Conduct Assessments
Strategy 43: Involve Families in Decisions Related to Assessments
Strategy 44: Understand Mandated Reporting Laws and Regulations
Strategy 45: Think of Yourself as a Lifelong Learner
Glossary
Quiz Answer Key
Multicultural Library List
References
Index