Description
See what's new in the third edition!
Expanded with timely new content and consistent with DEC Recommended Practices, the third edition of this bestselling book will fully prepare a new generation of early childhood educators to teach and include every child. Like the groundbreaking previous editions, this updated Building Blocks guide gives pre‐ and inservice teachers three types of practical, evidence‐based inclusion strategies: curriculum modifications, embedded learning opportunities, and child‐focused instructional strategies. Educators will learn how to apply these three strategies for the benefit of all children; review the latest research that supports the Building Blocks model; and find ready‐to‐use tips and guidance on key topics, such as fostering friendships, encouraging independence, and promoting positive behavior. Reproducible forms help with planning and assessment, and seven comprehensive new training modules make it easy to teach the Building Blocks framework in college courses and professional development sessions.
Equally useful as a student‐friendly textbook and a go‐to inclusion guide for practicing educators, this is a resource teachers will return to again and again for proven, easy‐to‐use strategies that support the success of every young learner.
NEW GUIDANCE AND TIPS ON:
- Applying UDL principles to engage every student in your diverse classroom
- Integrating literacy and STEAM into daily activities and routines
- Supporting the executive function skills of all young learners
- Applying new and expanded curriculum modifications
- Collaborating successfully with other team members to ensure the best child outcomes
- Conducting classroom quality assessment
Includes 7 training modules!
- Using the Building Blocks framework
- Conducting ongoing child assessment
- Planning for the individual child
- Using visuals to support learning
- Applying the Building Blocks framework to math and science
- Applying the framework to challenging classroom behavior
- Extending the framework to infants and toddlers
Each module includes a slide deck, presentation notes, learning activities, and a list of other resources and references.
Reviews
Review by: Kathleen Meeker, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Special Education, University of Washington
"The third edition of Building Blocks will be a career-long companion for early childhood professionals. It is a rare gem of a text: it is ideal for pre‐service college courses, while also offering rich resources for in‐service professional development and at‐a‐glance tools for busy teams. Its comprehensive, thoughtful, and systematic approach gives professionals the real tools they need to make a positive impact with each and every child, family, and colleague. I cannot wait to use this new edition in our teacher education program and professional development offerings."
Review by: Jennifer Grisham-Brown, Ed.D., Professor, Faculty Director, Early Childhood Laboratory, University of Kentucky
"I am pleased to see that the new edition of Building Blocks contains many of the elements from the second edition that are so helpful to teachers who work in inclusive classrooms (e.g., useful forms, vignettes, suggestions for modifications according to activities in a child's day). However, there are excellent additions that make it worthwhile to acquire the 3rd edition of Building Blocks. Notably, the authors have added information on STEAM and executive functioning. Both are topics that are regularly considered in today's early childhood programs. I am especially excited about the professional development modules that will accompany the book when purchased. Building Blocks has been a useful text for our undergraduate Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education certification program. Having modules available that match the topics of the book will prove very useful for faculty who choose the book as a text for their classes."
Review by: Erin Barton, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Special Education, Vanderbilt University
"Building Blocks is an invaluable resource for anyone working in the fields of early childhood education and early childhood special education. I have used Building Blocks framework in my teaching, research, and consultation work and I look forward to integrating this newest edition. The authors have yet again produced an eloquently written text that demonstrates their deep understanding of both research and effective practices for all children with and without disabilities. The easily accessible practices and tools in Building Blocks are needed for teachers to deliver effective, data-based instruction for all children. I expect Building Blocks will advance the field in regards to the meaningful inclusion of children with disabilities such that we really do celebrate the diversity of all young children."
Review by: Kathryn Hoover, Ph.D., Early Childhood Special Education, Radford University
"Building Blocks uses clear and understandable language while teaching the complex principles and strategies for teaching young children with disabilities in inclusive settings. It is very reader‐friendly, and covers a wealth of important content. The case study method of applying the content is an excellent way for students to work with the principles they read about, and I have found this extremely effective in teaching pre‐service and in-service students."
Review by: Sarika Gupta, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Special Education, Hunter College CUNY
"Many teachers want to support preschoolers with delays and disabilities in their classrooms, but they may not be sure how to do this well. This edition of Building Blocks helps dedicated teachers understand why this is important and how they can reframe their planning to be more intentional and effective, while maintaining a concrete focus on appropriate and desired outcomes. This is a necessary resource in building teacher persistence and resilience around inclusion."
Review by: Elizabeth Steed, Ph.D., University of Colorado Denver
"The 3rd edition of Building Blocks provides another update to this invaluable resource for educators to plan strategies and adaptations for young children with disabilities to meaningfully participate in and contribute to early childhood classrooms. An important addition includes the description of strategies to support early literacy and STEAM skills accross routines for young children with disabilities."
Table of Contents
About the Authors
Foreword by
Mary Louise HemmeterAcknowledgments
Section I. Using the Building Blocks FrameworkChapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Evidence‐Based Practice and the Building Blocks Framework
Chapter 3: Keys to Collaboration
Chapter 4: Getting Started
Section II. Teaching StrategiesChapter 5: Curriculum Modifications / Curriculum Modification by Type / Curriculum Modification by Activity and Routine
Chapter 6: Embedded Learning Opportunities
Chapter 7: Child‐Focused Instructional Strategies
Section III. Important Topics Related to the Building Blocks FrameworkChapter 8: Becoming More Independent
Chapter 9: Acquiring and Using Knowledge:Literacy and STEAM
Chapter 10: Friendships and Social Relationships
Chapter 11: Developmentally Appropriate Classroom Behavior
Chapter 12: Concluding Thoughts
References
Appendix A: Blank Forms
Appendix B: Additional Resources
Index