Written with warmth and humor, Yardsticks offers clear descriptions of children's development. This comprehensive, user-friendly reference helps teachers and administrators use knowledge of child development to shape classrooms and schools where all children can succeed.

For each age, this book includes:

• Narrative description of developmental traits
• Charts summarizing physical, social, language, and cognitive growth patterns
• Suggestions for curricular areas: reading, writing, mathematics, and thematic units
• Favorite books for different ages

What's new in the 3rd edition:

• A new, brief overview of issues in the development of bilingualism and biliteracy among Latino/Hispanic children
• A new appendix on the "birthday cluster exercise" for applying the information in the book to working with a whole class of students
• An updated list of recommended children's books
• An updated list of recommended resources for teachers and parents

"A practical resource on child development. Chip Wood has walked the walk as both teacher and principal. He knows children and he knows how to apply developmental principles sensibly and artfully."
     –Eric Schaps, Director, Developmental Studies Center

About the Author
Chip Wood has been a K-8 teacher, principal, and teacher educator for over 35 years. He is a co-founder of Northeast Foundation for Children.

Teacher's Perspective
I have been teaching first grade for seven years. I have come to know the idiosyncrasies of six year olds. Each year I expect children who tattle, who rush to finish their work and who try to always be first. For the first time in my teaching career, I looped with my class to teach second grade.... I knew I had to refer to Yardsticks to get a handle on where each child was developmentally. I listed the students' birthdays from oldest to youngest. I had a wide range of ages from five fall birthdays all the way through to seven summer birthdays. I then read Yardsticks to see the developmental characteristics of seven and eight year olds. I saw both stages and everywhere in between. Once I understood what I was dealing with, I was better able to meet each student's needs.... In addition, Yardsticks has shown me patience. I understand it is normal for eights to be very social and talkative. I see that sevens can be moody. I know that eights can get bogged down in the process of a project if not given clear steps by step directions. With this insight into the children's developmental levels, I am better able to teach to the whole child.
     –Daron White

Northeast Foundation for Children, 2007, 3rd edition, 240 pages
ISBN: 978-1-892989-21-5