Teaching Twos and Threes: A Comprehensive Curriculum

by Deborah Falasco

Overview

Working with two- and three-year-olds is an important job, one that will influence children’s lifelong learning. With strategies to plan a developmentally appropriate program, build positive relationships with young children, and support young children’s learning in all areas, Teaching Twos and Threes is a classroom essential. What’s more, it’s packed with creative activity ideas! It will help you reflect on your teaching practices as you plan a developmentally appropriate program that is stimulating and authentic for all twos and threes.
Foster children’s independence in an environment that is filled with opportunities for free exploration.
Plan hands-on and engaging art, circle time, dramatic play, science and nature, cooking, and writing exploration activities and experiences.

Deborah Falasco is lead teacher for the two- and three-year-old program at Wimpfheimer Nursery School, the laboratory school at Vassar College. Deborah is a frequent presenter and has received several awards recognizing her outstanding work with toddlers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781605541327
Publisher:	Redleaf Press
Publication date:	08/27/2013
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	10.80(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Deborah Falasco: Deborah Falasco has owned and operated a family child care program, worked with preschoolers with special needs, and is currently the lead teacher for the two- and three-year-old program at Wimpfheimer Nursery School, the laboratory school at Vassar College. She holds a graduate certificate as an infant/toddler specialist and a master’s degree in human development with a specialization in infants, toddlers, and their families. Deborah has given several workshop presentations on topics related to teaching toddlers, twos, and three-year-olds.

Editorial Reviews

"This book is filled with an abundance of useful information about working with this remarkable age group. The colorful photos and vivid descriptions of real children involved in an actual classroom make the ideas and experiences engaging and accessible for any teacher!"
—Deb Curtis, toddler teacher and coauthor of Designs for Living and Learning and Learning Together with Young Children

“Deborah Falasco’s joy in working with twos and threes spills over into her clear, practical advice to teachers. Whether you’re new on the job or a long-time veteran in early childhood education and you want to reflect on your practice through observing and recording, problem solving, and brainstorming for action, this book is directed to you. It provides endless ideas embedded in reflective stories from the author’s own experience. But it’s not just a grab bag; it provides a systematic process of responsive curriculum building. There’s enough in here to inspire you for the rest of your teaching career."
—Elizabeth Jones, PhD, faculty emerita, Human Development, Pacific Oaks College

"Although this book is full of wonderful activities for twos and threes, it goes far beyond a typical activity book by allowing teachers to follow the child's lead and design a curriculum based on the natural behaviors and curiosities of this unique age group. This is the type of book that will support teachers who want to grow along with twos and threes. It’s a fresh resource that encourages a reflective creative practice."
—Carol Garboden Murray, director of Bard College Nursery School, NYSAEYC credentialed early learning trainer, and author of Simple Signing for Young Children

"Teaching Twos and Threes goes above and beyond providing curricula. Deborah offers specific, authentic, and most of all, respectful advice that fully captures the delight in experiencing this extraordinary age group. Her creative strategies present inspired, individualized ideas for helping nurture children as they grow into confident problem solvers. As a caregiver of two-year-olds, I immediately began applying the ideas found in this book to my own classroom on the very same day that I read it! Deborah is truly an expert in her field, and Teaching Twos and Threes would make a perfect textbook or refresher course for new and veteran educators alike."
—Kelly Zechmeister-Smith, MEd, University of Michigan North Campus Children’s Center

"Deborah Falasco’s to the point, easy reading, curriculum planning book for twos and threes will be very helpful for educators and child care providers who may wonder or have been struggling with how to create a comprehensive curriculum for young children. It promotes a variety of ways to support children’s learning while they are playing. Unlike other curriculum books, Falasco supports her curriculum ideas with information on child development as well as the benefits of the curriculum and learning areas. It is a must-have book for educators and child care providers for young children."
—Ayuko Uezu Boomer, MSEd, early childhood specialist, Shirley G. Moore Laboratory School, University of Minnesota

From the Publisher