Spotlight on Young Children and Social Studies - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1928896383 ISBN 13: 9781928896388

Publisher: The National Association for the Education of Young Children, 2006

Synopsis

When engaged in social studies, with guidance and encouragement from adults, children develop awareness of self and family and become active participants in the larger community. 

In this collection of articles from Young Children and Beyond the Journal, experts discuss the historic roots of the social studies field, explain how quality books can help children understand themselves and others, and provide many examples of teachers and children engaged in meaningful social studies. The knowledge and skills learned through social studies prepare children to become informed and engaged citizens of their country and the world. The book includes a list of key resources as well as questions and activities designed to aid readers in reflecting on the articles.

This volume is part of NAEYC’s best-selling Spotlight series—great resources for the college classroom and for staff development.

About this title

About the Author

Derry Koralek, chief publishing officer of NAEYC, oversees the development of all print and digital publishing, including books, brochures, periodicals, professional development guides, posters, and websites for educators and families. Derry is editor in chief of Young Children and TYC—Teaching Young Children.

Gayle Mindes, EdD, is professor of education at DePaul University in Chicago. She teaches preservice graduate studies with a focus in social studies.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Picure some typical activities in today’s early childhood classrooms. A seated baby pushes a ball toward her teacher, who rolls it back to the eagerly awaiting child. Several two-year-olds, giddy with excitement, chase each other through a cardboard tunnel. A group of preschoolers and their teacher make a list of all the things they know about music before attending a high school band concert. The children in a second grade class create a map of their school and playground, gradually adding to the map as they learn more about their community. In all of these scenes, the children are engaged in social studies. In early childhood, learning about social studies begins with self and family, then extends to child care and educational settings. With guidance and encouragement from teachers and other adults, young children become active participants in the classroom community and in the larger world beyond. With knowledge and understanding of self, children move on to learn how they are alike and different from others. The content and skills learned through social studies prepare children to become informed and engaged citizens of their country and of the world.

Edition details

• Publisher: The National Association for the Education of Young Children
• Publication date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1928896383
• ISBN 13: 9781928896388
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 52
• Editor: Koralek Derry