Ann’s Books
Every Drop Counts
Exploring Water Science with Young Children in a Changing Climate
Coming soon from Gryphon House!
Young children need a strong foundation in understanding water’s role in our world, especially as climate change impacts ecosystems, weather, and daily life. This book provides educators with hands-on, inquiry-based activities that align with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and Next Generation Science Standards. This resource builds vocabulary, supports scientific exploration, and fosters children’s curiosity about the importance of water in natural and human-made systems. With engaging ideas for play-based engineering investigations, the book helps children develop critical thinking skills while nurturing a lifelong appreciation for water and its impact on our planet. Visit https://www.gryphonhouse.com/every-drop-counts-exploring-water-science-with-young-children-in-a-changing-climate
Engineering and Problem-Solving
“In Young Architects at Play Ann Gadzikowski skillfully blends research, practical insights, and a deep knowledge of facilitation to provide educators and caregivers a rich tapestry of how to lead children through learning as they play. Working across digital and physical worlds, easing planning and encouraging observation while reminding us how fun learning is, this manual is a testament to the marriage of art and science that is early childhood learning! Welcome to your journey of playing with your student or child!”
— Tarun Varma, experience implementation specialist, LEGO Foundation
Order Young Architects at Play from Redleaf Press
https://www.redleafpress.org/Young-Architects-at-Play-STEM-Activities-for-Young-Children-P2549.aspx
Turn everyday frustrations into teachable moments. Young children encounter problems, mistakes, and accidents that challenge them daily. Helping children conquer everyday frustrations fosters the creativity, critical thinking, and resilience that enables children to thrive in a formidable world.
Problem-Solving with Young Children will coach early childhood teachers, child care providers, and parents to develop a range of strategies to help young children become creative problem solvers, including:
- Questions to ask
- Ways to listen
- Strategies for brainstorming and trying solutions
- Suggestions for using the scientific method or design thinking to test ideas
- Methods for reflecting on what worked and what still needs improvement
See what children learn along the way — the social skills, emotional intelligence, language and communication skills, and STEM skills that evolve as children participate in an authentic, meaningful problem-solving process.
Order Problem Solving with Young Children from Redleaf Press
Robotics and Coding
Resources for Parents
Britannica for Parents
Ann Gadzikowski was the founding Executive Editor of Britannica for Parents, a website providing information, resources, and advice from trusted experts in child development and early education.
Visit Britannica Education
https://britannicaeducation.com/
Creating a Beautiful Mess
Creating a Beautiful Mess by Ann Gadzikowski describes the ten essential play experiences that all children need and enjoy. Practical tips for parents are woven among engaging scenarios and expert child development perspectives. From Redleaf Press.
Raising Curious Learners
Ann Gadzikowski is the co-host of the Raising Curious Learners podcast, one of the resources available on the Britannica for Parents website.
Raising Curious Learners is now available to stream on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Gifted and Talented Education
Challenging Exceptionally Bright Children in Early Childhood Classrooms
Nearly every early childhood classroom has an exceptionally bright child — from the child who starts reading independently at age three to the child who would rather take apart his tricycle than ride on it. Challenging Exceptionally Bright Children in Early Childhood Classrooms offers strategies to help you create a richer learning environment where exceptionally bright children are encouraged to learn beyond prescribed curriculum goals. Order Online
Early Childhood Gifted Education: Fostering Talent Development
Early Childhood Gifted Education by Nancy Hertzog & Ann Gadzikowski, published by the National Association for Gifted Children . Order here.
Language and Literacy
Story Dictation
Story Dictation offers an easy, yet powerful, early learning tool: Listening to children’s stories and writing them down word for word. Story dictation builds a range of skills, including literacy and abstract thinking abilities, while helping fulfill early learning standards. “An excellent how-to resource guide for all early childhood professionals who want to use an effective, developmentally appropriate activity to tap into a young child’s imaginative and creative energies in order to develop her skills in language, literacy and a host of other learning domains.” — SpringerLink
Nonfiction Readers
Ann Gadzikowski is the author of nonfiction leveled readers published by MacMillan McGraw Hill.
Fiction Readers
Three fiction stories by Ann Gadzikowski are included in Heinemann’s Leveled Literacy collection. Titles include The Wise Blackbird, The Lucky Penny, and The Baby Bird.
Curriculum and Textbooks
Tech Beginnings Curriculum
Ann Gadzikowski created “Tech Beginnings,” a PreK-Grade 3 curriculum that teaches coding, animation and robotics to young children. Ann’s unique approach combines cutting-edge tech innovations with traditional hands-on and developmentally appropriate teaching practices.
College-Level Textbook
Administration of Early Childhood Education Programs by Ann Gadzikowski provides college students with an overview of the core knowledge necessary to lead an early childhood program.
Pre-K Storypath
Ann Gadzikowski edited Pre-K Storypath, a role-playing and problem-solving curriculum, written by Margit E. McGuire of Seattle University.