Book description
Encourage Kindness and Empathy in Young Children How can we support children and teachers' continued growth as kind, caring, compassionate people who work towards equity in this world? At School for Friends in Washington, DC, educators Makai Kellogg, Magy Youssef, and Sabina Zeffler and mentor Jacky Howell have worked to nurture and strengthen children's dispositions for empathy and kindness, anchored by Quaker values, the guiding principles of the Black Lives Matter movement, and mindfulness practice, with a lens of social justice and equity. The authors weave real stories and reflections as they trace the learning journey of children in their program from toddlers through the time they leave for kindergarten. Magy's story of Frank the Fish opens up the world of toddlers who not only learn how to care for their classroom pet but also naturally build and display empathy as they come to understand disability. Makai highlights empathy as the first and foundational Black Lives Matter guiding principle. Using children's literature, her students develop a deeper perspective into social-emotional learning beyond "being nice." In her work with the oldest preschoolers, Sabina shares in her story of the many ways she focuses on perspective taking with her group, including stories of buddy play, heartful listening, holding space, and cognitive flexibility. The three educators with mentor Jacky reflect on their experiences together as they exercise the empathy and perspective-taking we ask children to practice. This inspirational book brings readers inside the school to aid them in their own personal and professional reflections on practices and ways of being with children in this shared journey towards a better world.
About the Author
Jacky Howell currently works as a consultant, coach, and mentor to a variety of schools in the DC-Metropolitan area, including School for Friends. She has over 35 years of experience as a classroom teacher. She holds a master of arts in human development from Pacific Oaks College where Elizabeth Jones was her mentor. Jacky currently leads professional development sessions both online and in person on a variety of topics and has traveled extensively to give both keynote addresses and sessions. Howell's long career in the early childhood field as educator, author, administrator and trainer allows her to provide thoughtful analysis and anecdotes.Makai Kellogg is an anti-bias and antiracist early childhood educator and Equity and Diversity Coordinator at School for Friends in Washington, DC. She is an advisory board member for the DC Area Educators for Social Justice and is part of the leadership team for the Anti-Bias Early Childhood Educator Working Group. Makai writes and shares resources on her blog, Makai's Early Childhood Equity Endeavors. Sabina Zeffler was born in Calcutta, India, where she spent her early childhood, before moving to Bremen, Germany, and later, Washington, DC. Magy Youssef was a lead teacher of the youngest toddler group at School for Friends. She has a degree in early childhood education and has worked in different capacities at School for Friends for over a decade. Magy is an expert in designing warm, caring, and inspiring toddler classrooms that have served as a model for other early childhood educators. Her focus continues to be working with the children on their social-emotional needs and teaching empathy and kindness.Sabina Zeffler is the Education Coordinator at School for Friends and spent many years as the lead teacher of a mixed-age preschool classroom. With a background in occupational therapy, Sabina collaborates with families and educators to support all children's needs and promote inclusion. Sabina also facilitates presentations to the school and broader community on topics such as mindfulness, communication, sensory integration, and friendship.
Sweet Bacon
The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Celtic Charger
ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. I love that ListenBook Pro allows me to customize the tone of the sound β it adds a personal touch. π The ease and functionality of this app make it my go-to choice for immersive audiobook experiences. π±π§ ποΈ The app's functionality is a true work of art β it enhances the audiobook experience and brings stories to life. ππ¨
Palomino
The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Noh Noh
The 'Explore' feature has introduced me to authors I might never have discovered otherwise. It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect.
Ember Master
I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. With this app, I'm rediscovering the joy of reading in the most convenient way.
Swampmasher
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer β I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. π‘ This app has made my daily schedule more interesting β 'reading' on the go! π±πΆββοΈ π§ Audiobooks anywhere, anytime β this app's convenience is unbeatable! ππ Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! ππ§ The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
MuseMaster
This app is my travel companion β making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem! Binaural audio processing really helps reduce listening fatigue. Great feature! What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
Virgo Moon
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into any moment. This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable. π Say goodbye to boredom during long drives β this app makes road trips fly by! ππ Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer.
Nightmare King
πͺ Juggling tasks while enjoying stories has never been easier β this app's functionality is a multitasking marvel. πΌπ ListenBook has truly transformed my audiobook experience. The sleek interface, extensive format support, and easy downloading options make it my go-to app!
Doughboy, Esq
With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. ππ§ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings. Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Rusty Vortex
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win.
GuTzd
ListenBook has made me fall in love with my audio content all over again β it's a must-have. ListenBook's support for various formats ensures that no audiobook is out of reach. The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless.
Mrs. Voltage
This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories. CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration.
MindfulMingle
Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. π This app has ignited my passion for reading β I can't get enough of its convenience! ππ₯ ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Easy Street
The app's compatibility with various devices ensures I never miss a moment of my book. πͺ Juggling tasks while enjoying stories has never been easier β this app's functionality is a multitasking marvel. πΌπ Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends, sparking engaging conversations and connections that transcend boundaries. This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny!
HOV
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book β so convenient! This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. The app's interface is so sleek and modern. It's a joy to use. I appreciate the dark mode option. Itβs easy on the eyes during nighttime listening.
Star Sword
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have taken my audiobook journey to new heights. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. ππ The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
Heartbreaker
ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience β it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. Audiobook multitasking simplified β this app's functionality is a triumph. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Sand Whiskers
I've been able to tackle my reading list like never before, thanks to this app. ListenBook is the perfect blend of technology and art, turning audio into an unforgettable experience.
Nice Gnome
I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. π Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks β bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. ππ
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience