Summary

This well-respected and widely used text on teaching our youngest children focuses on development, needs, abilities, interests and cultural diversity in planning curriculum for those in the infant stage through age eight. Students will learn about respected theorists and their theories, developmentally appropriate early childhood learning environments, themes, projects, webs, and assessment as part of the curriculum development process. Each chapter offers objectives, an overview, guidance tips for teachers, multicultural/anti-bias activities, key terms, exploration assignments, references, and additional readings. Throughout the text, emphasis is placed on the importance of such curriculum-development concepts as creativity, teacher/family relationships, physical activity and play, learning by doing, and child-centered and child-initiated curriculum.