Introduction to Early Childhood Education

Book excerpt: Armed with the mantra knowledge before action, this introduction to early childhood education allows teachers to first understand the development of the whole child and then to plan an environment and curriculum that will allow them to learn and thrive. Using a largely developmental approach, this first edition text explores both time-honored theories of early childhood development and current models and modern research in the field. Part One of the text discusses the history and theories of childhood development, while Part Two instructs teachers how to support children's emotional, social, cognitive, and physical development. The final section of the book explains how to assessment and guidance to support children and how to implement developmentally appropriate curriculum in the classroom. This text is supplemented with a number of features and ancillaries that make learning easier for students and teaching easier for instructors. Students will benefit from the many boxed activities and aides as well as by the online features contained in MyEducationLab. Teachers may take advantage of the online instructors' guide, online test back, numerous videos, and PowerPoint slides.