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Must-Read Books for Every Early Childhood Educator
22
items As an early childhood educator, I believe knowledge is key to making a positive impact on young learners. This list includes must-read books that have shaped my approach to teaching, child development, and classroom management. Whether you’re new to ...
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These are affiliate links, where I get a small commission if you decide to purchase the item. These links don't impose any extra cost on you.
Sections
7
Foundations of Early Childhood Education
Child Development & Learning
Classroom Management & Teaching Strategies
Inclusivity & Diversity
Professional Development & Leadership
Assessment & Evaluation
Foundations of Early Childhood Education
Books in this section cover the core principles and philosophies of early childhood education, ideal for building a strong knowledge base.
A go-to book for understanding the core principles of early childhood education. It really helped me understand what’s appropriate at each developmental stage.
Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age 8, Fourth Edition (Fully Revised and Updated)
This book helped me sharpen my teaching strategies to be more intentional and responsive to children’s needs. A great read for educators looking to create purposeful learning environments.
The Intentional Teacher: Choosing the Best Strategies for Young Children's Learning
Perfect for new educators! It’s a wonderful introduction to early childhood education, covering the basics and providing practical advice for engaging young learners.
Teaching Young Children: An Introduction
Child Development & Learning
These books dive deep into the stages of child development and how young children learn best, providing insights into creating supportive and responsive learning environments.
A must-read for anyone working with infants or toddlers. It’s all about building respectful and responsive relationships with the youngest learners.
Infants, Toddlers, and Caregivers: A Curriculum of Respectful, Responsive, Relationship-Based Care and Education 12th edition
This book opened my eyes to how young children explore the world through schemas. A fascinating read if you're interested in how children process their surroundings and develop ideas.
Threads of Thinking: Schemas and Young Children′s Learning
This book is packed with practical strategies for teaching preschoolers. It emphasizes fostering curiosity and a love for learning from the start.
Eager to Learn: Educating Our Preschoolers
Classroom Management & Teaching Strategies
Books that focus on classroom management techniques and teaching strategies that promote effective learning in early childhood settings.
If you want to make your classroom more interactive, this book is a game-changer. Kagan’s cooperative learning strategies help kids engage with each other and develop essential social skills.
Kagan Cooperative Learning Structures
Observation is key to understanding how children learn. This book taught me how to effectively observe and respond to children’s behavior in a way that supports their development.
The Power of Observation for Birth Through Eight, 2nd edition
This book is a great resource for encouraging open-ended play. The idea of 'loose parts'—everyday objects that spark creativity—is brilliant!
Loose Parts: Inspiring Play in Young Children
If you’re mentoring others in early childhood, this is a must-have. It’s all about building strong, supportive relationships that foster growth and development.
The Mentor's Guide: Facilitating Effective Learning Relationships
Inclusivity & Diversity
Books in this section address the importance of inclusivity and embracing diversity in early childhood education.
This is such a crucial book for educators. It teaches you how to address bias and promote inclusivity with young children, helping them embrace diversity from the start.
Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves, Second Edition
This book highlights the importance of embracing diversity in early childhood education. It provides insights on creating inclusive environments that honor all children.
Diversity in Early Care and Education Honoring Differences 5th edition
A powerful resource for educators committed to advancing equity. It offers practical actions for promoting diversity and creating a more inclusive educational experience.
Advancing Equity and Embracing Diversity in Early Childhood Education: Elevating Voices and Actions
Professional Development & Leadership
These books are perfect for educators looking to develop leadership skills and enhance their professional journey in early childhood education.
If you’re new to the field or looking to grow, this book is your guide. It gives you actionable steps to navigate challenges and thrive as a professional.
The New Early Childhood Professional: A Step-By-Step Guide to Overcoming Goliath
For those ready to take on a leadership role, this book offers great advice on developing leadership skills that inspire and motivate others in early childhood settings.
Learning to Lead: Effective Leadership Skills for Teachers of Young Children
If you’re managing a program, this book is essential. It provides a detailed scale for evaluating and improving leadership and management in early childhood settings.
Program Administration Scale (PAS): Measuring Early Childhood Leadership and Management
Assessment & Evaluation
Books focused on assessing young children’s development and evaluating educational programs effectively.
The CLASS system is a great tool for assessing classroom interactions. This manual is super helpful in understanding how to evaluate and improve the quality of your interactions with children.
CLASS Manual
A fantastic resource for evaluating your classroom environment. It gives clear guidelines on how to create an enriching learning space for young children.
Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS-3)
This guide makes using the ECERS-3 a breeze. It’s detailed and filled with examples, helping you understand how to apply the rating scale in your classroom.
All About the ECERS-3™
Family Engagement & Communication
Books that provide strategies for building partnerships with families and fostering meaningful communication.
A must-read for building strong relationships with families. This book emphasizes the importance of creating partnerships that support both parents and children.
From Parents to Partners: Building a Family-Centered Early Childhood Program
This book provides valuable tips for engaging parents in their child’s education. It’s filled with strategies for making parent-teacher partnerships stronger.
Parent Engagement in Early Learning: Strategies for Working with Families
If you’re looking to enhance communication with children, this book is a great resource. It helps you foster meaningful conversations that support their learning and development.
Are You Listening?: Fostering Conversations That Help Young Children Learn