A GUIDANCE APPROACH FOR THE ENCOURAGING CLASSROOM, 5/E, is for students in two- and four-year early childhood programs as well as graduate courses. It easily can function as a primary text in classes that address group management, the learning environment, child guidance, child behavior, challenging behavior, conflict management, and peace education topics. The text addresses ages 3-8 years in three parts. Part 1 explores the foundation of guidance in early childhood education and covers key concepts such as conventional discipline versus guidance, mistaken behavior, the guidance tradition, and innovative theories about child development with guidance. Part 2 focuses on building and organizing an encouraging classroom, as well as providing key elements of an encouraging classroom, including daily schedule, routines, use of thematic instruction, importance of working with parents, and leadership communication. Part 3 addresses problem solving and challenging behavior in the encouraging classroom, including a practical illustration for how to use and teach conflict management and coverage of the "five-finger-formula." The book also covers nontraditional families as well as the effects of societal violence in the classroom. Throughout, this experience-based resource includes real-life anecdotes that allow professionals to make the shift from conventional classroom to developmentally appropriate guidance.

About The Author

Dan Gartrell
Dan Gartrell (PhD, University of North Dakota) is Professor of Early Childhood and Elementary Education and Director of the Child Development Training Program at Bemidji State University in Minnesota. As a teacher, CDA trainer, and student teaching supervisor, Dr. Gartrell has been working with students in early childhood for more than 30 years. His articles have been published in YOUNG CHILDREN and in the JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN (NAEYC). In addition, he has been a presenter at more than 200 workshops, training sessions, and keynote sessions on guidance in early childhood education in eight states, Germany, and Mexico.