Gryphon House Books

10/19/2026

With coming up October 27, we're spotlighting 𝘔𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘔𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴, a practical guide to helping young children tinker, experiment, invent, and create.

From simple tinker trays to full classroom makerspaces, this book shows educators how everyday materials can spark imagination, build problem-solving skills, and encourage collaboration.

You don't need a big budget to inspire little makers. Just some open-ended materials and room to explore! https://tinyurl.com/2vrazm8c

10/16/2026

Inclusion is about more than making sure every child can participate. It’s also about giving children the chance to know one another, learn alongside one another, and build relationships that might not happen otherwise.

This , 𝘐𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯 reminds us that belonging begins with being together. https://tinyurl.com/5dz9j339

10/14/2026

For Cindy Mudroch, MEd, 𝘈𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴 is more than a book about Universal Design for Learning. It is part of her son Robbie’s legacy.

Robbie experienced speech and language delays, ADHD, autism, and Marfan syndrome, but with early intervention and an inclusive learning environment, he thrived. He went on to study computer science and mathematics and pursue his dream of working at Google.

While battling bone cancer as a young adult, Robbie asked his mom to write his story just days before he passed away. Cindy did, turning their experience into a mission to help educators create classrooms where every child has opportunities to learn, participate, and succeed.

Today, we’re proud to spotlight Cindy and the remarkable story behind 𝘈𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴. https://tinyurl.com/3v4m6er5

10/13/2026

Great Kindergartens Don't Happen by Accident. They Start with Great Leadership.

Principals play a powerful role in shaping what kindergarten looks and feels like—from protecting time for play and exploration to supporting developmentally appropriate teaching and meaningful learning.

In recognition of National Principals Month, Gryphon House author Laura Bornfreund shares five practical ways school leaders can protect what matters most in kindergarten: positive relationships, purposeful play-based instruction, and rich learning experiences across the curriculum.
Drawing on insights from her book, Rediscovering Kindergarten: Embracing Play and Joy in Learning, Laura reminds us that joyful learning and academic rigor aren't competing priorities. They belong together.

Read her latest article in New America: https://tinyurl.com/jdra8z8h

What young students experience in school depends heavily on decisions the principal makes.

10/12/2026

Want to get your hands on a new Gryphon House book before it's even released?

If you're attending the 1st State Family Child Care Conference in Delaware on Saturday, October 17, be sure to stop by author Jen Cortes' booth!

Jen is raffling off a basket of goodies, including Gryphon House items and a special prize: an advance copy of her new book, 𝘖𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘋𝘰𝘰𝘳𝘴! The book doesn't officially release until November 1, so one lucky winner will get an exclusive early look!

Not attending? You can still be among the first to read 𝘖𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘋𝘰𝘰𝘳𝘴. Pre-order your copy today: https://tinyurl.com/2y9a6jr9

10/12/2026

Every child deserves a learning environment designed with them in mind.

In 𝘈𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴, Cindy Mudroch, MEd, shows educators how to use Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to create classrooms where children with different abilities, needs, and learning styles can participate and thrive. From flexible spaces and adaptable materials to technology that supports diverse learners, this practical guide helps make inclusion part of everyday classroom life. https://tinyurl.com/3v4m6er5

10/09/2026

In 𝘕𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘕𝘦𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺, Sarah Taylor Vanover, EdD, reminds us that inclusion starts with recognizing that every child has individual strengths, needs, and ways of learning.

On this , consider: What small change could help a child in your classroom participate, learn, and thrive? https://tinyurl.com/5n8w3kk7

10/08/2026

Sometimes the simplest materials lead to the biggest ideas.

give children the freedom to experiment, combine, take apart, redesign, and try again, following their own curiosity along the way.

Want to bring more of this open-ended exploration into your classroom? Gryphon House books can help you understand the thinking behind loose parts play and introduce it intentionally. And when you’re ready to put those ideas into practice, Kaplan Early Learning Company offers loose parts kits and materials that make it easy to get started.

Learn the concepts. Gather the pieces. Then see where children take them.

Explore Gryphon House books about loose parts: https://tinyurl.com/ybtfrakt

10/07/2026

When you hear “assistive technology,” what comes to mind?

A tablet? An AAC device? Specialized software?

Assistive technology can also be a pencil grip, a visual schedule, a bookstand, adapted seating, headphones, or even a piece of .

Our latest blog post, “Assistive Technology Is Bigger Than You Think,” explores the full continuum of supports that can help children participate more fully in the classroom. Because assistive technology isn’t about making a classroom more high-tech. It’s about making participation more possible.

Read the full post on the Gryphon House blog. https://tinyurl.com/3cbrwr3z

10/07/2026

For Brian Puerling, technology in early childhood has never been about putting more screens in front of children. It’s about asking how the right tools, used thoughtfully, can help children create, communicate, collaborate, and connect.

Brian brings experience as a preschool teacher, school leader, and early childhood specialist to Connected Classrooms. At Chicago Public Schools, his work included supporting professional learning for 1,500 preschool teachers serving more than 17,000 children.

Throughout his career, he has explored how technology can enhance children’s experiences without replacing the relationships, play, creativity, and hands-on learning at the heart of early childhood education.

Discover his newest book, 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮𝘴, from Gryphon House. https://tinyurl.com/yz59srcu