Teaching Social Studies in the Early Childhood Classroom

This book offers essential strategies for teaching young children about social studies, focusing on democratic principles and relevant themes to prepare them for global citizenship.

This textbook develops early childhood teachers’ capacity to effectively instruct democratic principles to our youngest citizens. As our world experiences political polarization, pandemics, heightened racial tension, and the evolving awareness of gender and LGBTQ issues, Teaching Social Studies in the Early Childhood Classroom addresses these topics as they manifest in early childhood education. It offers research-informed practical guidance for both pre-service and in-service teachers navigating these complex themes.

Organized around 12 themes, 10 of which are based on the National Council for Social Studies’ (NCSS) themes, the book also incorporates anti-racist and anti-bias curriculum principles from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The themes covered include culture and cultural diversity, history, geography, identity, gender roles and gender identity, institutions, power and authority, economics, science and technology, global citizenship, and civic ideals and practice. Each chapter introduces five early childhood classrooms, showcasing profiles of the teachers, students, and communities involved.

Teaching Social Studies in the Early Childhood Classroom provides developmentally appropriate strategies for teaching relevant and current social studies content to young learners. The book emphasizes that these children will grow into the next stewards of our global community, making it essential to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and engage with the world around them.