Let's Be Friends : Peer Competence and Social Inclusion in Early Childhood Programs

Foreword by Mary Renck Jalongo ix Preface xi 1. The Importance of Peer Competence and Social Inclusion 1(14) Social Competence and Peer Competence 2(2) Why is Competent Peer Interaction Important? 4(2) Developmentally Appropriate Practice and Social Competence 6(2) Inclusion and Peer Competence 8(3) The Teacher's Role 11(2) Summary 13(1) Food for Thought 14(1) 2. Reflective Teaching and Collaboration as Unifying Frameworks for Social Inclusion 15(15) Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education 16(2) Continuum of Strategies 18(2) Reflective Teaching 20(4) Collaboration and Reflection 24(3) Summary 27(1) Food for Thought 28(2) 3. Arranging the Environment to Support Peer Interaction 30(25) Room Arrangement 31(6) Aesthetic Considerations 37(2) Materials and Equipment 39(4) Time, Schedules, and Routines 43(3) Human Environment: The Peopling of the Program 46(2) Emotional Climate: The Affective Environment 48(5) Summary 53(1) Food for Thought 54(1) 4. Naturalistic Strategies to Promote Peer Interaction and Social Inclusion 55(24) "On-the-Spot" Support 56(12) Conflict Mediation 68(8) Summary 76(1) Food for Thought 77(2) 5. Planned Routine Activities to Promote Peer Interaction and Social Inclusion 79(18) Small Group Activities 80(5) Whole Group Activities 85(10) Summary 95(1) Food for Thought 96(1) 6. High-Intensity Training and Coaching Interventions 97(25) Integrating a New Student 98(5) Intervention Strategies 103(15) Maximizing Success 118(2) Summary 120(1) Food for Thought 121(1) 7. Supporting Children with Particular Social Needs and Disabilities 122(21) Children Who Often Feel Shy 123(2) Children with Aggressive Behavior Patterns 125(4) Children with Visual Impairment 129(3) Children with Hearing Impairment 132(4) Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders 136(4) Summary 140(1) Food for Thought 140(3) Epilogue. Closing Thoughts about Community and Collaboration 143(4) Appendix A. Books for Children about Friendship and Friendship Skills 147(2) Appendix B. Recorded Songs for Children That Address Social Topics 149(6) References 155(16) Index 171(9) About the Author 180