Makerspaces is a first-to-market resource for early childhood professionals that focuses on how to cultivate the maker mindset in the youngest learners, how to engage young children in maker-centered learning, design and introduce makerspaces, and how to select/use open-ended tools and materials. Field tested in real classrooms, home settings, libraries, and museums, the authors have practical suggestions, student samples, implementers' suggestions, photographs, anchor charts, and many other forms of documentation. Each chapter focuses on a different type of makerspace, details ways to successfully set up that makerspaces, offers provocation ideas for how to extend learning, and shows how educators can document evidence of how a child can develop a stronger growth mind-set by interacting with the makerspace. Full-color demonstrative photos give readers additional visual guidance.

From the award-winning authors of StoryMaking easily accessible card decks that will inspire educators and children to use simple materials to make stories and projects. The StoryMakers on Deck cards inspire educators and children to use simple materials to make stories and projects. The cards are divided into six categories of story elements: generating story ideas, crafting a lead, imagining a character, making a setting, elaborating the story, and closing the story. Each card includes: A beautiful photograph of a commonly found open-ended loose part. An open-ended question that the adult can use to launch an exploration as children play and make a story. A photograph of a child created story using the material pictured to serve as an example. The story’s text or child’s dictation from a portion of their Maker’s Talk accompanies the stories and projects. Tips for how you can use this card to spark the imaginations and grow the abilities of young StoryMakers.

From the award-winning authors of StoryMaking and Makerspaces comes ArtMaking. ArtMaking?is a process of making meaning by reading children's books, investigating how this meaning is expressed and then inviting the child to use art to communicate their own meaning.?It is the perfect language to give all children a voice, regardless of age or ability. In ArtMaking children are invited to "read their worlds" as they learn about images, explore materials and elements of art (color, lines, shapes, textures, spaces, design) and communicate their thinking through their own art processes and products. Along the way these skills build a strong literacy foundation. Using artwork as well as illustrations from children's books as provocations, children make meaning with their visual literacy skills as they use the receptive and productive languages of literacy and art to make connections. When children engage in ArtMaking they apply the highest level of the comprehension and visual literacy continuums to new art experiences and makerspaces. They aren't just making art, they are making meaning of the book and the world.

After studying the current research on literacy learning for young children, delving into the beliefs and schools of Reggio Emilia, and discovering the Maker Movement, the authors created StoryMaking. With great success, they implemented it in their diverse and large public school district. StoryMaking shares the processes, first steps, next steps, uses for materials, and lessons learned so teachers can implement their own versions in their classrooms. The book shares practical suggestions, student samples, photographs, anchor charts, and other forms of documentation.