Beginnings & beyond : foundations in early childhood education / Ann Miles Gordon, Kathryn Williams Browne.

Ann Gordon has been in the early childhood field for over 45 years as a teacher of young children, of parents, and of college students. She has taught in lab schools, church-related centers, and private and public preschool and kindergarten programs. While at Stanford, Ann was at the Bing Nursery School for 11 years and was a lecturer in the Psychology Department. For 10 years she also served as an adjunct faculty member in four colleges, teaching the full gamut of early childhood courses. Ann served as executive director of the National Association of Episcopal Schools for 14 years, where more than 1,100 early childhood programs were a part of her network. She is now consulting in the areas of early childhood curriculum governance and professional development.

Kathryn Williams Browne has been a teacher most of her adult life: a teacher of young children for nearly 20 years, a guide for parents of the families she served, and, more recently, a parent educator and an instructor of college students for more than 15 years. Her work with children includes nursery school, parent cooperatives, full-day child care, prekindergarten and bilingual preschools, and kindergarten and first grade. Kate's background in child development research led her to choose early childhood education. While a Head Teacher at Bing Nursery School and a lecturer with Stanford University, Kate developed a professional relationship with Ann Gordon that blossomed into work in teacher and parent education. Moreover, her role as a parent has influenced BEGINNINGS AND BEYOND: her two children were born during the first two editions, so the book grew along with them. Recent work as a consultant and public elementary school board trustee has offered Kate new perspectives on schools, reform, and collaboration. Working closely with her students while teaching in two community colleges over the last decade, she has gained constructive insights that inform this text in every revision.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

What is the Field of Early Childhood Education? History of early childhood education --
Types of programs --
Who is the Young Child? Defining the young child --
Developmental and learning theories --
Who are the Teachers? Teaching : a professional commitment --
Observation and assessment of children --
Guiding children?s behavior --
Families and teachers : partners in education --
Creating environments --
What is Being Taught? Curriculum : creating a context for learning --
Planning for the body : physical/motor development in action --
Planning for the mind : cognitive development in action --
Planning for the mind : language and literacy development in action --
Planning for the heart and soul : psychosocial development in action --
How Do We Teach for Tomorrow? Issues and trends in early childhood education : four themes.

The primary strength of BEGINNINGS AND BEYOND: FOUNDATIONS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, 10th Edition, is its blend of simplicity and depth. In a clear and easy-to-understand style, the book lays out basic questions any student of early childhood education would want answered -- and presents key concepts, the latest research, and practical examples so that questions are thoroughly answered. Coverage of the current Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) is woven throughout the text, as is material on diversity and development, which enables readers to understand that issues of age, gender, race/ethnicity, ability, and family are part of every aspect of teaching and learning. Every chapter has a feature focused on how brain-based research is connected to development, and another that highlights intentional teaching. Through its tone, visuals, and pedagogy, the book is accessible to and respectful of readers with a range of abilities and learning styles.