Affiliations

 Indiana Council of Preschool Cooperatives (ICPC)



Parent Cooperative Preschools International (PCPI)

Links

 Ready for Kindergarten?
Preschool - Academics or Play?
Best Kept Secret: Cooperative Preschool Programs
The Role of Parent Involvement in Cooperative Preschool Programs
How Children Learn
What Are They Learning? Seeing the concepts and skills children can learn through play

Recommended Reading

 PLAY... "The Foundation that Supports the House of Higher Learning"
by Lisa Murphy
Playing is vital to the social, physical, cognitive and spiritual development of our children.
Ooey Gooey Handbook
by Lisa Murphy
This book offers great ideas for parents and teachers alike. It focuses on the importance of PLAY with children's learning. Fun activities for all! Be prepared to GET MESSY!
Tumbling Over the Edge - a Rant for Children's Play
by Bev Bos
"The basics for young children are wonder, discovery and experience."

I tried to teach my child with words.
They passed him by often unheard.
Despairingly, I turned aside.
"How shall I teach this child," I cried.
Into my hand he put the key.
"Come," he said, "play with me."
Punished By Rewards: The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A's, Praise, and Other Bribes
by Alfie Kohn
Makes the case against using rewards with students, children, and employees; lengthy chapters offer alternatives to traditional carrot-and-stick practices at school, at home, and at work.
The Wonder of Boys
by Michael Gurian
In this book, the author describes what boys need to become strong, responsible, sensitive men. Instead of encouraging us to stifle boys' natural propensities for competition and aggression, Gurian offers effective and practical guidelines for channeling them.
Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline
by Becky Bailey
Focusing on self-control and confidence-building for both parent and child, Dr. Bailey teaches a series of linked steps to help families move from turmoil to tranquility. Learn how to stop policing and pleading and become the parent you want to be. With this inspiring and practical book in hand, you'll find new ways of understanding and improving children's behavior, as well as your own.
I Love You Rituals
by Becky Bailey
A wonderful woman who lived in a shoe,
she had so many children she knew exactly what to do.
She held them. She rocked them, and tucked them in bed.
"I love you, I love you" is what she said.

 Seventy-nine interactive activities based on positive messages, like the one above, are provided in this delightful educational book. Each interaction is based on the latest in brain research. All activities help children increase their attention spans, reduce hyperactivity, build self esteem, and facilitate language development. The interactions teach children how to be kind and caring using gentle touches. Use these with your demanding, aggressive children and watch cooperation replace opposition.

1999 Parent's Guide Children's Media Award
There's Got to Be a Better Way: Discipline that Works
by Becky Bailey
Children have changed. Society has changed. Adults must change how they discipline children to be effective. We cannot teach children skills we do not possess. This book uniquely and humorously helps adults uncover damaging beliefs about themselves and children. Learn how to use every conflict moment as a teaching opportunity. Acquire the strategies you need to create a problem solving community of learners. Transform aggression, stop power struggles, empower both yourself and the children. There is a better way!
Kids Are Worth It
by Barbara Coloroso
Barbara gives the reader a template for parenting children in a respectful, flexible, non-authoritarian, non-permissive, style, and it is up to the parent to fill in the blanks for their individual circumstances.
Your Childs Growing Mind
by Jane Healy
This book offers valuable information about brain development, how children learn, how we can help them, what real education and learning are all about, and the things we do that hinder brain development.
The Way They Learn
by Cynthia Tobias
Everyone has a different way of taking in and processing information. This book is excellent not only for parents, but for all teachers and administrators.