The Happiest Preschool: A Manual for Teachers

by Martha Heineman Pieper, Ph.D., and Kelly Perez (Smart Love Press, 2024).

All of the strategies presented in this manual will increase teachers’ enjoyment and effectiveness and enrich a preschool, regardless of its affiliation.

Increasingly progressive educators are focusing on play-based learning and social-emotional development, but The Happiest Preschool: A Manual for Teachers is unique in providing a comprehensive and thorough discussion of this focus and illustrating all precepts with teachable examples. In addition there are sections on understanding and helping children with the feelings underlying fantasy play; on the importance of partnering with parents; and on informed ways of helping children who are under emotional stress.

Moreover the manual is an invaluable asset for parents trying to choose a preschool or kindergarten for their child.

The Happiest Preschool can be found at Amazon.com.

“The Happiest Preschool: A Manual for Teachers is a strong advocate for high quality preschool, which is what every child needs and deserves as a springboard for academic success and the development of social-emotional skills and self-confidence. Teachers will learn and benefit from comprehensive topics and specific examples that illustrate how to create an exciting, cooperative, caring, inspiring classroom culture.”

Arne Duncan

former U.S. Secretary of Education and CEO of Chicago Public Schools

“The Happiest Preschool is so consistently positive that I was smiling as I read every page. The classroom examples were specific and the photos from the program really helped make the book come alive. Think my favorite section was Unnecessary and Inappropriate Rules. This section really nails it: guidance that teaches rather than the punishments implicit in rule enforcement. I also particularly enjoyed the practical material explaining caregiver responses versus personal reactions and on cultivating Partnerships With Parents. Especially, I thought the material on gender fluidity was perceptively matter-of-fact, needed, and helpful. The Manual paints the picture of a child-responsive early childhood program worth emulating.”

Dan Gartrell

author of The Power of Guidance: Teaching Social-Emotional Skills in Early Childhood Classrooms and Education for a Civil Society: Teaching Young Children to Gain Five Democratic Life Skills.

“Early childhood teachers will find this very helpful! It will be a powerful resource for teachers looking for guidance and insight!.”

Leslie Koplow

founding director of the Center for Emotionally Responsive Practice at Bank Street College and the author of many books on early education.

“The Happiest Preschool is the go-to book for teachers eager to turn state-of-the-art ideas about how to create a preschool where children will thrive into on-the-ground reality in their classroom.”

David Kirp

University of California-Berkeley public policy professor and author of The Sandbox Investment.

“It’s a great book!“

Dan Schwartz

dean of the Stanford Graduate School of Education.