Early Childhood Education: Becoming a Professional / Edition 1

by Kimberly A. Gordon Biddle, Ana G. Garcia-Nevarez, Wanda J. Roundtree Henderson, Alicia Valero-Kerrick

Overview

Early Childhood Education: Becoming a Professional is an inspiring introduction to the world of early childhood education, preparing the teachers of tomorrow to reach their full potential in their schools and communities. Written by a diverse and experienced author team (Kimberly A. Gordon Biddle, Ana Garcia-Nevarez, Wanda J. Roundtree-Henderson, and Alicia Valero-Kerrick), this text engages readers to connect contemporary educational and developmental theory and research to developmentally appropriate practices and applications that are easily implemented in the classroom. In response to today's ever-changing educational environment, the text focuses on both the importance of taking personal and professional responsibility, as well as today's issues in diversity—from supporting children with exceptionalities to supporting children and families in broader cultural contexts.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781412973458
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	01/02/2013
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	576
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.80(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Dr. Kimberly A. Gordon Biddle has a double BA in psychology and music from the University of Redlands. She also has an Ed S in program evaluation and a Ph D in child and adolescent development from the Stanford University School of Education. She taught in various preschools as an assistant teacher as she worked while completing her years of higher education. She has more than 20 years’ experience as a college professor and has numerous accomplishments and awards, including early childhood grants from First 5 Sacramento County. In terms of awards, she was an American Psychological Association MFP Fellow in graduate school and won her college’s Outstanding Teaching Award at Sacramento State. She has written more than 15 publications and presented at more than 40 conferences. Some of her publications have appeared in the Early Childhood Education Journal and the e Journal of Education Policy. Conference presentations have been at the American Educational Research Association and the Head Start National Research Conference. Currently, she is a professor of child development at California State University, Sacramento, where she prepares students to teach young children.

Dr. Ana Garcia-Nevarez is the chair of the undergraduate studies division in the College of Education and a professor at California State University, Sacramento. She received a BA in psychology and child development from California State University, Northridge, and an MA in school psychology and a Ph D in curriculum and instruction (emphasis in elementary education) from Arizona State University. She was a Regents’ graduate academic scholar at Arizona State University. She has taught at California State University, Sacramento, since 2001. She has taught courses in cross-cultural child development, language and literacy development, curriculum and instruction, and research methods. Her research interest includes evaluating preservice teachers’ attitudes toward diversity, civic engagement, and career development. Her research agenda has allowed her to be an active member in the preschool and elementary school community. Dr. Garcia-Nevarez is the author of several research articles and monographs. She regularly presents at national and international conferences.

Dr. Wanda Roundtree Henderson has been intimately involved in the design, implementation, execution, and evaluation of early childhood and family support programs within the New York City metropolitan area, in California, and throughout the country for approximately 30 years. In her current position as interim director of child development at the Sacramento City Unified School District, Dr. Roundtree Henderson provides fiduciary and programmatic oversight for the department, which serves approximately 3,000 children, from birth to age 12 years, and their families. Dr. Roundtree Henderson is a part-time adjunct lecturer at California State University, Sacramento, in the Department of Child Development. She has also served as a consultant/trainer and has accessed many educational platforms, forums, and instititions of higher education as a speaker and lecturer in the disciplines of early childhood education, psychology, and developmental psychology. Dr. Henderson is the recipient of many awards and recognitions for her scholastic achievements and work in the fields of early childhood education and family support. Dr. Henderson holds a BA in psychology and education from Hunter College of the City University of New York. She also holds a master’s degree in developmental psychology, a master’s of education, and a doctorate in early childhood education/curriculum and teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University, in New York City. She is married to Dr. Darryl Henderson, clinical psychologist and director of the Center for Counseling and Diagnostic Services at California State University, Sacramento.

Dr. Alicia Valero-Kerrick is a lecturer of child development at California State University, Sacramento. She received her Ph D in education from the University of California, Davis. She also holds a double BA in psychology and Chicano studies from the University of California, Davis. Previously, she worked as a cohort instructor in the Early Development, Care and Education program at California State University, Sacramento. She also has worked as a bilingual school psychologist, an evaluation coordinator, a training coordinator, and a private educational consultant. Dr. Valero-Kerrick has experience with staff development and training for early childhood education teachers working with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners.

Table of Contents

Preface
Part I: Foundations of Early Childhood Education
1. The Early Childhood Teacher
2. History of Early Childhood Education
3. Types of Progams and Services
Part II: Development and Early Childhood Education
4. Learning Theories
5. Child Development and Milestones
Part III: The Early Childhood Classroom
6. Assessment and Evaluation through Observation
7. Exceptional Children in Early Care and Education
8. Diversity in Early Care and Education
9. Guidance in Early Care and Education
Part IV: Implementing the Early Childhood Curriculum
10. Play and the Learning Environment
11. Emotional and Social Development
12. Language and Literacy Development
13. Mathematics, Science, and Technology
14. Movement, Health, and the Physical Curriculum
Part V: Trends and Issues in Early Childhood Education
15. Engaging Parents, Families, and the Community
16. Early Childhood Education Policies
Glossary
Index
About the Authors

Editorial Reviews

Professionalism is fully developed and integrated throughout the chapters. The author actually uses the term Professional ECE teacher throughout the chapters. Applying theory to Practical, easy to implement ideas is thoroughly developed throughout the chapters. The policy boxes at the end of the chapters help students understand putting theory and research into practice and this is easily found in the chapters. There is discussion on developmentally appropriate practices throughout the chapters, as well. The theme not mentioned above, Families and Cultural Diversity is also seen within each chapter. The authors definitely placed an emphasis on diversity and I see it throughout.

Kimberly K. Sellers

I felt the TOC had a logical flow; the titles were clear and understandable. It matches most of the organization of the way my course is set out.

Jennifer A. Kampmann

The content is well organized and the ideas are based on current research and best practices.

Erin E. Barton

I love all of (the pedagogical features)! Making connections from the text to the “real world” seems to be the area students struggle in the most- and yet is the most important part.

Jody M. Carson

I really like the information about the additional readings and the on the web section.

Cheryl J. Hitchcock

(This Book) has rich information and is well tied to the standards and includes sufficient resources.

Su-Jeong Wee

Mathematics, Science, and Technology. An excellent chapter. If prospective teachers can grasp the information in the vignette that describes children’s excitement about learning through science, they will be ahead of the game. During my days as a classroom teacher, I taught math and science in a departmentalized elementary school. Science is doing. Math is about learning not only facts, but concepts. The paragraph that explains that teachers might have to upgrade their knowledge and skills in math, science, and technology is an awareness that needs to be brought home to teachers. Teachers often hamper the development of children’s learning because of their own shortcomings. I like it as it is.

James C. Young

I enjoyed the Policies and Politics Boxes. They were provocative and I think they would get my students to think deeply and discuss.

Michelle Fryer Hanson

Students really depend upon examples to show them what is actually being discussed or defined for them. The author does a great job including practical examples in the chapters to help the reader make the connections.

April M Grace