About the Book
Often referred to as a laboratory from which the general early childhood education community can learn, Head Start has benefited from more than 45 years of experience. Its unique blend of early childhood practices, assessments, and monitoring, along with a social service style approach, contribute to Head Start standing out as a premiere early childhood program.
This book is designed to be a teaching tool for workshops and courses as well as an on-site resource for current and future Head Start teaching staff and others in early childhood education.
By presenting background information, vignettes, research, and classroom activities, this book on school readiness combines best practices in early childhood education with relevant applications. Topics, written by experts in their fields, include:
Approaches to learning and teaching strategiesAssessmentsBehavior managementClassroom set upCurriculum and lesson plansEarly language, literacy, math, science, social studies, and creative artsPhysical health and development (gross and fine motor skills)Social and emotional developmentTeaching young children with disabilities and dual language learnersTips for involving parents in their children’s education
Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I- Being a Head Start Teacher
Chapter 1- A Typical Day as a Head Start Teacher
Theressa Snyder-Head Start Teacher, Westmoreland Community Action Head Start, Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Chapter 2- Parent Involvement
Sidney W. Gilford-Ed.D.: Adjunct Faculty, undergraduate Early Childhood Education, Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Adjunct Faculty, graduate Education, Cabrini College, Radnor, Pennsylvania; Head Start program consultant
Part II- About Head Start
Chapter 3- Head Start History and Structure
Sidney W. Gilford
Chapter 4- Ensuring Quality: Regulations, Monitoring, Support, and Resources
Sidney W. Gilford
Part III- School Readiness
Chapter 5- School Readiness
Sidney W. Gilford
Chapter 6- The Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework
Sidney W. Gilford
Chapter 7- Child Assessment and Program Evaluation in Head Start
Dominic F. Gullo-Ph.D.: Professor, Early Childhood Education, Drexel University
Part IV-Framework Subjects
Chapter 8- Early Language Development and Literacy
Dominic F. Gullo
Chapter 9- Early Mathematics
Sheridan DeWolf-M.A.(retired): Dean, CTE/Workforce Development; Professor, Child Development and Family Studies and Coordinator, Child Development and Family Studies Department, Grossmont College
Chapter 10- Science in the Early Childhood Classroom
Karen Worth-M.S.: Chair, Elementary Education Department and Instructor in Science and Social Studies Education, Wheelock College
Chapter 11- Social Studies
Jennifer Bradley-Ph.D.: Adjunct Faculty, University of Pennsylvania and Penn State University
Chapter 12- Creative Arts
Eleanore D. Brown-Ph.D.: Associate Professor of Psychology and Director, Early Childhood Cognition and Emotions Lab, West Chester University
Chapter 13- Physical Health and Development: Gross and Fine Motor Skills
Heather Hanson-PT, DPT, PCS. (Licensed Physical Therapist, Board Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist): The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Chapter 14- Social and Emotional Development
Debra L. Lawrence-Ph.D.: Assistant Professor of Education, Chestnut Hill College
Part V- Teaching Strategies
Chapter 15- Positive Approaches to Learning and Cognitive Skills
Eleanore D. Brown
Chapter 16- Curriculum and Lesson Plans
Sarah Garrity-Ed.D.: Assistant Professor, Department of Child and Family Development, San Diego State University
Chapter 17- Teaching Young Children with Disabilities
Sharon E. Rosenkoetter-Ph.D.: Associate Professor, College of Public Health and Human Sciences; Project Director, Early Childhood Leadership Directions; Co-Principal Investigator, Project REViEW, Oregon State University
Chapter 18- Increasing English Language Skills of Dual Language Learners
Sarah Garrity
Chapter 19- Classroom Management
Debra L. Lawrence
Chapter 20- How to Set Up and Arrange a Head Start Classroom
Jennifer Bradley and Sarah Garrity
Wrap Up
Appendix 1-Resources
Appendix 2- Titles and Affiliations of Contributing Authors
About the Editor
Wrap Up
Appendix
List of Resources
Contributing Authors
About the Author :
Dr. Sid Gilford has more than 20 years experience with nonprofits and education; 15 of those years with Head Start; 10+ years in administration. Sid started with Head Start as an assistant teacher for a small program in Connecticut and later held various positions such as Chief of Staff Development, Training, and Monitoring for a large Head Start program in southern California and Director of what became a National Showcase Early Head Start program in Philadelphia. In addition to being adjunct faculty in undergraduate early childhood education and graduate education, Sid conducts workshops at state and national Head Start conferences.
Review :
This book will help you understand why Head Start has had such a profound impact on the lives of thousands of children. It is such an integral piece of the early childhood education policy and practice puzzle.
I taught Head Start that first summer of 1965 in a half-day program in the Mission District of San Francisco where most of the families were Spanish-speaking. We all had great hopes for the benefits of the program. Now nearly fifty years later, we know not only that the children can benefit enormously from a year-round program, but when its quality is really good, the children continue to benefit right through their secondary school years. The book addresses all the main topics for those of us involved in Head Start and it can also serve as a rich basis for staff discussion and parent involvement as well.
Gilford offers a deeply informative, hands-on view of Head Start. This book links processes and outcomes that are so very critical for our young children and their families by addressing a myriad of challenges of meeting regulations, parent concerns, and, most importantly, the needs of precious, often energetic little ones. Combining research and best practices with practical tips, this book is a must-read for Head Start staff and others engaged with early childhood teaching and learning.
Without a doubt Sidney Gilford [and his contributing authors have] a clear knowledge of this topic. What impresses me most is [their] ability to clearly articulate each chapter in a manner that is in-depth, pedantic, yet down to earth. This is a must read for any professional in the educational field.
Gilford provides us with a resource for all involved with the early childhood education of children. It is a must read for teachers, administrators, and parents alike to better understand the contributions made by Head Start programs, and as a reminder of the complexities of the needs of young children – particularly those children most at risk.
Sidney Gilford's book is absolutely delightful and refreshing, as he provides readers with an overview of the original Head Start and its current best practices for early childhood, preschool teachers, home visitors, interns, and volunteers. As we all strive to help every child feel safe and secure, Sidney and his child education experts remind us why this program has been so successful, with a total enrollment of over 25 million children. This should be a must read in every college education course and every family library!
This book, intended for early childhood practitioners, is designed to share the knowledge and experiences of what had been learned from Head Start programs that have successfully been in operation for nearly half a century. Addressing common concerns from a range of perspectives, this guide will help to ensure that developmentally appropriate practices are in place to support the diversity of learners found in today’s classrooms and that parents and guardians are engaged in their children’s education early on.
