Designed for introductory courses in early childhood education and care at the two year and four year level. Provides a useful overview for returning students and even graduate students who wish to increase or update their expertise. Covers ages 0-8. This child-centered introduction, now available in full color, presents a constructivist, developmental approach to the full range of early childhood education and care programs. Its clear, conceptual framework and integration of principles and practice assist students in understanding the important values of the field and how they play out in classrooms. The authors' straightforward, conversational writing style appeals to a wide-range of students, and asks them to develop their own style and philosophy and reflect on their own values and actions. With its focus on respecting children, ethics, and personal and professional development of teachers of young children, it has become one of most well received books in the field.

PART I.FOUNDATIONS OR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE. 1. The Teacher. 2. The Field of Early Childhood Education and Care. 3. History and Educational Models. PART II. UNDERSTANDING CHILDREN. 4. Child Development. 5. Observation and Assessment. 6. Play. PART III. PLANNING FOR CARE AND EDUCATION. 7. Caring for Children. 8. The Learning Environment. 9. Guiding Young Children. 10. The Curriculum. 11. Planning Curriculum. PART IV. SPECIAL RELATIONSHIPS. 12. Working with Children with Special Needs. 13. Working with Families. PART V. CONCLUSION. 14. Making a Commitment to Being a Professional. Bibliography. Appendix A. Appendix B. Name Index. Subject Index.