The SAGE Encyclopedia of Contemporary Early Childhood Education
- Donna Couchenour - Shippensburg University, USA
- J. Kent Chrisman - Shippensburg University, USA
Early Childhood Education
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 450 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 editors make it clear that the focus is on essential topics for study and research by students at all levels and practicing teachers. The conversational tone and scope of the entries is paired with illustrations, graphs, and charts, making the text suitable for the stated audience as well as general readers or parents who are looking for basic information. Though comparable works may address more current developments, this encyclopedia's readable style and extensions into the wider literature make this a solid choice for academic libraries serving teacher-education programs... Summing Up: Recommended. Community college through graduate students; general readers; professionals/practitioners.