Early+Childhood+Resources

=**Early Childhood Resources**=

[|Ooey Gooey, Inc.]
Lisa Murphy, an early childhood educator, created Ooey Gooey, Inc. to promote play-based learning for young children and to provide educators with ideas and resources for sensory activities. Articles and booklists particularly relevant to media specialists and teachers can be found under the Resources tab, along with handouts that would prove informative not only to educators, but to parents and administrators, as well. Of special note are the sensory play ideas, along with suggestions on where to find the materials; the Fizzle, Bubble, Pop, and Wow! page, which includes science experiments that one could use to introduce a unit; and the finger play page, which one could refer to for literacy programs, circle times, or storytimes. Also of interest to librarians and teachers are the articles about literacy, such as "Making Time for Books and Stories," and "When the Wolves Come Knocking," which gives educators a set of terminology to use when defending these play-based strategies. While this website was created for early childhood education, educators could easily implement much of the information to elementary classrooms. In addition to this website, Ooey Gooey, Inc. also provides resource books for teachers, as well as conferences and workshops.

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**[|Babies and Sign Language]**
This site explains the rationale behind teaching sign language to babies and young children and provides users with a collection of simple signs to begin teaching to children. Signing helps develop verbal, literacy, and fine motor skills, as well as engages children during activities or lessons. The website is geared toward parents, but most of the information applies to educators, too, as educators could integrate these signs into the classroom culture, as well as implement signs when conducting a program with young children. The Glossary section includes an index of signs and gives both a still and a moving picture demonstrating these signs. The site also links to articles explaining the benefits of signing with older children and children with special needs. While this website focuses on using signing with young children, educators could also include sign language in older classrooms.