This comprehensive work contains approximately 200 articles concerning all aspects of early childhood education (from birth through age 8) written by eminent specialists in the field. It is intended not only for researchers but for students, parents ofyoung children, and administrators. It encompasses the study of early childhood with all its diverse movements and influences. Until now, these issues were scattered through many classics, such as Evelyn Weber's "The Kindergarten: Its Encounter with Educational Thought in America" (1969), "Handbook of Research in Early Childhood" (1982), edited by Bernard Spodek, and the ongoing series edited by Lillian Katz, "Current Topics in Early Childhood Education" The book is not alphabetically arranged like a traditional encyclopedia. It is divided into six chapters: the historical and philosophical background of early childhood education; sociocultural, political, and economic influences; perspectives on children; varied curricula programs; and perspectives on educators. Each chapter begins with an outline of topics to be addressed and an introductory essay that summarizes current and past thought. The signed entries are arranged thematically. The volume opens with a list of 23 specialists that make up the editorial board and a list of contributors with their affiliations. A combined name and subject index follows the text, and cross-references are provided as needed. A few articles, such as "The Froebelian Kindergarten," are reprinted from "The International Encyclopedia of Education" Entries are scholarly but readable. Statistics and charts accompany some entries; for instance, a chart shows teacher certification requirements for early childhood education in the 50 states. The references given at the end of each entry range from older to very recent books, journal articles, and reports. They provide research results on practices like all-day kindergarten, home-based day care, and holding children (especially boys) back a year to begin kindergarten at age six. Up-to-date topics are included, for example, the article "AIDS and Children" and references to whole language. Many entries were written by scholars who have produced enduring works, such as Beatrice Cullinan, Dorothy Strickland, and Bernard Spodek Several small flaws mar this otherwise excellent and unique resource, largely centering on lack of accessibility. For example, there are no instructions for use that alert the user to the organization of topics within a chapter according to the outline preceding it. In the index, substantial treatment of a topic is not distinguished from simple mention of it; this could have been rectified by boldface numerals or some other device. There are 30 page references under "Head Start", for instance. While the contributors are given with their affiliations, there is no corresponding list of entries written by each of these specialists. Some authors of entries are not listed either as contributors or editors. See, for example, the entry "Child Abuse" written by L. R. Mitchell Problems of access aside, this is a comprehensive and valuable contribution to the field of early childhood education. It should find a place in all libraries that support the study and practice of education. Public libraries ought to consider making it available to day-care providers. This book provides astute selection of topics with accurate and clearly written entries by recognized authorities on an issue of great interest. -Booklist.

The general public often views early childhood education as either simply "babysitting" or as preparation for later learning. Of course, both viewpoints are simplistic. Deep understanding of child development, best educational practices based on development, emergent curriculum, cultural competence and applications of family systems are necessary for high-quality early education. Highly effective early childhood education is rare in that it requires collaboration and transitions among a variety of systems for children from birth through eight years of age. The SAGE Encyclopedia of Contemporary Early Childhood Education presents in three comprehensive volumes advanced research, accurate practical applications of research, historical foundations and key facts from the field of contemporary early childhood education. Through approximately 425 entries, this work includes all areas of child development – physical, cognitive, language, social, emotional, aesthetic – as well as comprehensive review of best educational practices with young children, effective preparation for early childhood professionals and policy making practices, and addresses such questions as: · How is the field of early childhood education defined? · What are the roots of this field of study? · How is the history of early childhood education similar to yet different from the study of public education? · What are the major influences on understandings of best practices in early childhood education?

The field of education has experienced extraordinary technological, societal, and institutional change in recent years, making it one of the most fascinating yet complex fields of study in social science. Unequalled in its combination of authoritative scholarship and comprehensive coverage, International Encyclopedia of Education, Third Edition succeeds two highly successful previous editions (1985, 1994) in aiming to encapsulate research in this vibrant field for the twenty-first century reader. Under development for five years, this work encompasses over 1,000 articles across 24 individual areas of coverage, and is expected to become the dominant resource in the field. Education is a multidisciplinary and international field drawing on a wide range of social sciences and humanities disciplines, and this new edition comprehensively matches this diversity. The diverse background and multidisciplinary subject coverage of the Editorial Board ensure a balanced and objective academic framework, with 1,500 contributors representing over 100 countries, capturing a complete portrait of this evolving field. A totally new work, revamped with a wholly new editorial board, structure and brand-new list of meta-sections and articles Developed by an international panel of editors and authors drawn from senior academia Web-enhanced with supplementary multimedia audio and video files, hotlinked to relevant references and sources for further study Incorporates ca. 1,350 articles, with timely coverage of such topics as technology and learning, demography and social change, globalization, and adult learning, to name a few Offers two content delivery options - print and online - the latter of which provides anytime, anywhere access for multiple users and superior search functionality via ScienceDirect, as well as multimedia content, including audio and video files

This book focuses on quality issues in early childhood education and care in New Zealand.

This publication focuses on quality issues in early childhood education and care: it aims to define quality and outlines five policy levers that can enhance it.

Covers a broad range of topics within the fields of education and human development. Includes the ways in which learners construct knowledge at the different stages of human development, the educational tools used by teachers to teach, and educational politics.

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) can help lay the foundations for future skills development, well-being and learning. Having timely, reliable and comparable international information is essential to help countries improve their ECEC services and systems.

Introduction to Early Childhood Education provides current and future educators with a highly readable, comprehensive overview of the field. The underlying philosophy of the book is that early childhood educators’ most important task is to provide a program that is sensitive to and supports the development of young children. Author Eva L. Essa and new co-author Melissa Burnham provide valuable insight by strategically dividing the book into six sections that answer the “What, Who, Why, Where, and How” of early childhood education. Utilizing both NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) and DAP (Developmentally Appropriate Practice) standards, this supportive text provides readers with the skills, theories, and best practices needed to succeed and thrive as early childhood educators.

Indonesia has begun to emerge into middle-income status, yet persistent poverty and stark inequalities continue to affect young children’s development. This book tells the story of Indonesia’s efforts to change the trajectory of development for poor children. Many countries have similar aims, but several aspects of what is reported here are especially valuable and perhaps unique. The study offers data on all aspects of health and development in a sample of rural young children, collected with internationally-validated measures, as well as household information, information about parenting practices including feeding patterns, parent questionnaires, and data on the prevalence and distribution of ECED services. The data reported in this book is based on a sample of more than 6,000 Indonesian children living in 310 poor villages, including two age cohorts (aged 1 and 4 years old when data were first collected on their development in 2009). From the start, the project aimed not only to support service provision but also to support the development of national standards, build national and district capacity, and encourage the establishment of a system of ECED quality assurance, efforts that are still in process. Few such analyses have been done with such a large sample and with multiple measures. These design features allow a high level of confidence in the results that are reported. The lessons from this book will help to inform not only this project’s further implementation but ECED initiatives in Indonesia and around the world. Thus, the results presented in this book are of significance for researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners within and beyond Indonesia. The experiences and research results discussed here are especially relevant for: • Researchers in early childhood development and program evaluation; • Policymakers within and beyond Indonesia; • Providers of early childhood services; • Professional development providers; and • Advocates for quality early childhood services.

The second volume in this Early Childhood Education in the 21st Century: International Teaching, Family and Policy Perspectives miniseries focuses on teacher and family perspectives of early childhood education and care from 19 different countries around the world. The aim of this volume is to articulate the key components of teacher education and family practices that impact young children’s education and care. Each country featured in this volume presents its own unique perspective in relation to the cultural and societal constraints around teacher training and/or family practices and the thinking around those practices that are important for early childhood development. Offering a unique insight into how teachers and families work together in different countries, the book is essential reading for early childhood educators, researchers, early childhood organisations, policy makers and those interested to know more about early childhood within an international perspective.