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Foundations and Best Practices in Early Childhood Education: History, Theories, and Approaches to Learning, 4th edition

Published by Pearson (February 20, 2018) © 2019

  • Lissanna Follari

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For Introduction to Early Childhood and Curriculum in Early Childhood courses.

A broad exploration of the roles and practices of working with, and for, children and families

Foundations and Best Practices in Early Childhood Education helps teachers connect early childhood education beliefs and philosophies to professional practice. It provides insights into common program models or approaches including Reggio Emilia, Montessori, High/Scope, Head Start, Waldorf and The Project Approach.

The 4th Edition reflects the most recent changes in early childhood education, including legislative and policy changes and the latest research on effective practice. Content has been expanded throughout to increase emphasis on inclusive practices and diversity.

Hallmark features of this title

  • Classroom View cases from the field present snapshots of diverse education settings to illustrate key concepts.
  • In Your Own Words features encourage readers to reflect on aspects of their own practices and beliefs.
  • Putting It Into Practice features let readers translate theory to practice using specific suggested applications.
  • Guided professional portfolio activities throughout the book and in the appendix help readers plan and create comprehensive portfolios.
  • Core content is aligned to the topics covered in teacher preparation exams, such as the PraxisTM Early Childhood test, to prepare readers for those exams.

New and updated features of this title

  • NEW: New content on Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (Ch. 3); all new learning theories added to broaden readers' perspectives, including attachment, social learning, and neuroscience education theories and research (Ch. 4).
  • NEW: New section on play and Montessori Education (Ch. 8).
  • NEW: New sections on preschool expulsion and the opportunity (achievement) gap (Ch. 12).
  • UPDATED: Expanded developmental snapshots of young children with more emphasis on infants and toddlers; new sections on social emotional learning and self-regulation (Ch. 1).
  • UPDATED: Stronger connections to how historical roots influence today's practice; updated to include Race to the Top initiatives (Ch. 2). Enhanced content on inclusion (Ch. 8).
  • UPDATED: Additional graphic features facilitate understanding by presenting content in reader-friendly formats.

Part 1: Foundations

  1. Welcome to the Field of Early Childhood Education
  2. Historical Overview: People and Beliefs That Shaped the Field
  3. Professionalism in Early Childhood Education: Framing Best Practices
  4. Influential Theories Shaping Practice Today
  5. Families and Children Today: Diversity in Today’s Classrooms

Part 2: Models and Approaches

  1. Head Start and Early Head Start: Empowering Change from Within
  2. The High/Scope Foundation: Models in Curriculum and Research
  3. The Project Approach: Active Inquiry in Early Childhood
  4. The Schools of Reggio Emilia: A Child’s World
  5. Montessori Education: Environment, Materials, and Methods
  6. Waldorf Education: Harmony and the Whole Child

Part 3: Beginning the Journey

  1. Bringing It All Together: Imagining and Becoming

APPENDICES

  1. Early Childhood Education Historical Time Line and Notes
  2. Key Contributors
  3. Guiding Principles: Meshing Approaches
  4. Multiple Intelligence Planning Web

About our author

Lissanna Follari has been faculty in early childhood teacher education programs for 13 years and is currently Director for the Bachelors of Innovation in Inclusive Early Childhood Education with the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs. She has written 2 textbooks with Pearson, Foundations and Best Practices in Early Childhood Education, 3rd Edition and Valuing Diversity in Early Childhood, 1st Edition, both published in 2014. She began her career as a passionate educator for young children and families 2 decades ago and has taught toddlers through elementary school children. Along the way, Dr. Follari also served in child care and lab school administration roles, always promoting play-based, whole-child centered learning environments filled with wonder and beauty for children and teachers alike. She presents training and workshops at several regional and national conferences annually in addition to teaching and writing. Above all else, Dr. Follari is a dedicated advocate for joy and excellence in early childhood care and education, passions that are fueled by her most important role as a mother.

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