Table of Contents
All Chapter include “A Closer Look,” “Principles and Insights: Summary and Review,” and “Becoming an Early Childhood Professional: Your Professional Portfolio and Your Professional Library”
1. What Is Early Childhood Education?
Building a Community of Early Childhood Professionals
Exploring the Options in Early Childhood Education: Programs and Roles
What Do Early Childhood Educators Need to Know and Be Able to Do?
History of Early Childhood Education and the Profession
2. The Wonder of Children: Development and Dispositions
Introduction to Development and Dispositions
Studying Infants
Studying Toddlers
Studying Preschool-Age Children (Ages Three to Five Years)
Studying Children in Kindergarten and Primary Grades (Ages Five to Eight Years)
Dispositions
3. Theories of Development: Foundations for Practice.
Theories of Development at a Preschool
Cognitive and Language Development
Social and Emotional Development
Multiple Intelligences Theory
Theory into Practice: A Visit to Preschool
4. Children's Play: A Source of Development and Learning.
Definitions and Thinking about Play
Play and Development: From Infants to Eight-Year-Olds
Social Development and Play
Current Topics and Issues Related to Play
Adult Roles in Children's Play
5. Early Childhood Curriculum: Thinking and Practices.
What is Curriculum?
Ideas about Curriculum
Early Childhood Education Programs
Current Curriculum Guidelines and Approaches
Recent Curricular Emphases
6. Families and Communities: Context for Understanding Children.
Families Today
Today's Families and Home vs. Work
Families and Communities: Significant Understandings
Contemporary Challenges Faced by Families
Family Involvement in Early Childhood Education
7. Infant Care Programs and Practices: Luke's Story.
Finding Good Infant Care
A Conversation with Luke's Dad
Visiting Luke's Home with Kristine
Visiting with Sure, the Infant Care Coordinator
A Closer Look at Infant Care Programs
Current Issues and Trends in Infant Care Programs
8. Toddler Care: Ibrahim's Story.
Toddler Development: Responding with Curriculum and Guidance
The Helen Gordon Child Development Center: A University Laboratory School
9. Preschool: Felipe's Story.
A Visit with Susana
A Home Visit with Felipe's Family
What is Head Start?
Preschool Programs
Supporting Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
10. Kindergarten: Keeley's Story.
Visiting Keeley
Kindergarten: It's Position in the School System
Learning from Jim
After-School Care Program
A Closer Look at Kindergarten
11. The Primary Grades: Erin Cheyenne's Story.
Meet Erin Cheyenne and Her Family
Reasons for Educating At Home
Lessons from Parent's Thinking
Learning from Paula: Meeting Diverse Needs and Providing Guidance
Primary Grade Curriculum
Assessment in the Primary Grades
Professional Preparation of Primary Grade Teachers
12. Special Education: Jodie and Her Family's Story.
A Home Visit with Jodie and Her Family
Reflecting on Jodie's Experiences
Special Education for Young Children
Early Childhood Special Education
13. The Changing World of Early Childhood.
Angela's Village
Politics and Early Childhood Programs
Economics and Early Childhood Education
Society and Early Childhood
Summary of Political, Economic, and Social Influences on Early Childhood
Advocacy: Why and How?
Professionalism in Early Childhood Education
Appendix A–Web Resources
Appendix B–The National Association for the Education of Young Children’s Code of Ethical Conduct
References
Author Index
Subject Index
