Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education

A brief, reader-friendly introduction to early childhood education in today’s world
Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education is appreciated for its practical, applied approach and its engaging chapter features that look at every aspect of the field — early childhood programs, professionals in practice, diversity, technology issues, and ethical decision making. Young children’s distinctive developmental and educational needs are covered from birth through age eight in separate chapters on infants and toddlers, preschoolers, kindergartners, and primary school children. Thoroughly revised and updated throughout, the 9th Edition offers a contemporary, accessible, and user-friendly approach to all of the major topics, programs, and issues at the forefront of early childhood education today.

Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education, 9th Edition is also available via Revel™, an interactive learning environment that enables students to read, practice, and study in one continuous experience. 

George S. Morrison is Professor Emeritus of early childhood education at the University of North Texas where he taught early childhood education and development to undergraduates and mentored masters and doctoral students. He is an experienced teacher and principal in the public schools. Professor Morrison’s accomplishments include a Distinguished Academic Service Award from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Outstanding Service and Teaching Awards from Florida International University, and the College of Education Faculty Teaching Excellence Award at the University of North Texas. His books include Early Childhood Education Today, 14th Edition; Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education, 9th Edition; and Teaching in America, 5th Edition. Professor Morrison has also written books about the education and development of infants, and preschoolers; child development; and parent/family/community involvement. Dr. Morrison’s research is on the globalization of early childhood education, the influence of contemporary educational reforms on education; and how to best educate early childhood teachers for the classrooms of today.

Mary Jean Woika has worked in early childhood education and early childhood special education for over 30 years. She is currently an assistant professor and program manager at Broward College. In addition to teaching, her responsibilities include serving as a mentor to practicum students in their early childhood classrooms throughout Broward County, as well as serving as a mentor at the North Campus Lab School. Ms. Woika has co-authored a textbook and trainee’s manual, All About Child Care and Early Education, which was developed to be used in the training of CDA students. Before coming to Broward College, Ms. Woika was a child care director, an early interventionist, an early childhood special education teacher, a behavior consultant, and inclusion specialist in an outreach program.

Lorraine Breffni is the Executive Director of Early Childhood and Parenting Institutes at Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) Mailman Segal Center for Human Development. She is also Affiliate Faculty NSU’s Fischler College of Education. Dr. Breffni directly supervises three early childhood programs, including an infant and toddler program; a preschool program; and a parent and child education program. She has worked as an instructor/mentor for the Community Outreach initiative at the Mailman Segal Center assisting preschool teachers as they enhance emergent literacy practices in their classrooms and as they develop strategies to accommodate the needs of at-risk children and youth. Dr. Breffni has co-authored the text All About Child Care and Early Education (Pearson) and its companion resource, All About Child Care and Early Education: A Trainee’s Manual. She has written numerous articles for publication and has developed and taught a diverse range of academic subjects at Nova Southeast University, including courses on Developmental Psychopathology, Play Therapy, Best Practice in Emergent Literacy, and Best Practice in Prekindergarten Curriculum.

1. You and Early Childhood Education
   
2. Early Childhood Education Today
   
3. History and Theories
   
4. Implementing Early Childhood Programs
   
5. Teaching with Standards
   
6. Observing and Assessing Young Children
   
7. Infants and Toddlers
   
8. The Preschool Years
   
9. Kindergarten Today
   
10. The Early Elementary Grades: One Through Three
    
11. Educating Children with Diverse Backgrounds and Special Needs
    
12. Guiding Children’s Behavior
    
13. Parents, Families, and the Communit y             
    

         Appendix A: Time Line of the History of Early Childhood Education