“What do early childhood educators really need to know, do, and understand in order to work effectively and compassionately with the very young?”  This is the focus of Mary Renck Jalongo’s approach to this new edition of her widely popular Early Childhood Language Arts. In it she helps teachers become well informed about young children’s language development, strategies to use to support language growth, and the essential elements for a novice teacher to mature into a master teacher. Distinctive from many other early literacy books in that it includes oral language rather than concentrating on literacy in print, the approach is to integrate language arts and other subject areas, including the fine arts.

Dr. Jalongo has written, co-authored and edited more than 35 books, many of them textbooks in the field of early childhood education, such as Creative Thinking and Arts-Based Learning (6th ed., Pearson), Exploring Your Role: An Introduction to Early Childhood Education (4th ed., Pearson), and Major Trends and Issues in Early Childhood Education (2nd ed., Teachers College Press).  Publications for practitioners include two National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) books, Learning to Listen, Listening to Learn and Young Children and Picture Books; an edited book for the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI), The World’s Children and Their Companion Animals: Developmental and Educational Significance of the Child/Pet Bond.  She is also the author of two award-winning Position Papers for ACEI.

Since 1995 Dr. Jalongo has served as editor-in-chief of the Springer international publication, Early Childhood Education Journal. She also co-edits Springer’s book series, Educating the Young Child: Advances in Theory and Research, Implications for Practice, and has made presentations on various aspects of early childhood education throughout the world.

Preface

Part One Language Learning in Context

1. Appreciating Diversity and Educating the Young English Language Learner

2. Optimizing Every Child’s Language Growth through Family Literacy        

Part Two Oral Language

3. Understanding Language Development in Early Childhood         

4. Helping Young Children Become Better Listeners           

5. Supporting the Speaking Abilities of the Very Young     

6. Using Narrative and Expository Texts to Foster Growth in Literacy          

Part Three Literacy with Print

7. Fostering Growth in Emergent Literacy  

8. Supporting Early and Independent Reading       

9. Leading Young Children to Literature     

Part Four Written Language and Symbol Systems

10. Drawing and Writing to Communicate    

11. Understanding Media Influences and Applying Technology         

Part Five The Teacher of Language Arts

12. Designing and Managing a Language Arts Program       

13. Documenting Children’s Progress in the Language Arts