So Much More than the ABCs

The Early Phases of Reading and Writing, Revised Edition

Judith A Schickedanz author Molly F Collins author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:National Association for the Education of Young Children

Publishing:14th Nov '24

£26.99

This title is due to be published on 14th November, and will be despatched as soon as possible.

So Much More than the ABCs cover

Laying a Strong Foundation for Literacy in the Early Years

A child’s literacy development begins long before their formal education does. The skills and knowledge that infants, toddlers, and preschoolers acquire through meaningful, playful language and literacy experiences are the building blocks of their later success in reading and writing.

How do early childhood educators foster young children’s understanding of reading and writing during this emergent literacy period? Moreover, how can they nurture a love of reading and writing? With these two questions at its core, the revised edition of this bestselling resource provides

  • A comprehensive and updated overview of what literacy development looks like for children from birth through age 5
  • Instructional approaches that support robust early language, literacy, and content knowledge learning
  • Considerations for choosing and sharing materials and for designing the physical environment in ways that support language and literacy learning
  • Recommendations for developmentally appropriate books that engage children’s minds and imaginations
  • Authentic writing samples that showcase young children’s thinking around and explorations with mark making

Grounded in new research and drawn from the authors’ extensive experience, this book gives educators the tools they need to create and build on learning opportunities that will lead to thriving, motivated readers and writers.

This book is a masterpiece in early literacy. It eloquently captures the essence of a crucial resource for early childhood educators and families, highlighting its comprehensive approach to fostering both the foundational skills and the intrinsic motivation necessary for lifelong literacy learning. This book plays a pivotal role in guiding educators to support young children’s language and literacy with a holistic approach.

—Myae Han, Professor, University of Delaware

The revised edition of So Much More than the ABCs is a must-read for practicing and prospective teachers, literacy coaches, higher education faculty, and parents who strive to support early literacy development long before formal school instruction begins. Not only does it provide a comprehensive review of what to do and how but also why it should be done. In an accessible and thoughtful fashion, the authors use the research and updated evidence underlying effective strategies and practices to lay the foundation for learning to read and write. Truly this indispensable reference should be on every early childhood practitioner’s bookshelf!

—Catherine Marchant, Early Childhood Instructional Coach and Former Faculty Member, Wheelock College

This well-informed author team has orchestrated a stunning and useful wedding of deep knowledge about early language and literacy development with a rich vision of the sciences of reading and learning. Perfect pairing! Enjoy! Learn!

—P. David Pearson, Evelyn Lois Corey Emeritus Professor of Instructional Science,

Berkeley School of Education, University of California, Berkeley

There are very few books that can draw from solid research, link it to understandable child development theory, and then clearly explain early language and literacy strategies for teachers to bring to their daily classroom practice. This book does all of that. It is essential for anyone in early childhood education.

—Sue Reed, Retired Early Childhood Specialist, Maine Department of Education,

and Former Director of Early Reading First, University of Southern Maine

ISBN: 9781952331329

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

224 pages