This book is about creating an environment, experiences, interactions, and relationships that allow children (birth to age 5) in center-based and family child care programs to have authentic experiences that will promote their development and learning. To address planning and practice the authors zero in on knowing and respecting the individual child, the group, and working in partnership with families. Rather than focusing on educational activities per se, the emphasis is on paying attention to the child’s whole experience in the program. The authors examine what you need to know about children and their families, how to translate that information into plans and experiences, and how to include parents in the process. The authors wrote this book to be a “collaborative encounter with readers.”

Book Features:

• Ways to learn about each child in the context of the family’s culture, goals, priorities, and dreams for their child.
• Attention to diversity, inclusion, and antibias throughout the text.
• Many questions and suggestions to encourage debate and dialogue.

This is a practical resource that can be used by early care and education professionals, paraprofessionals, and family child care providers.

Janet Gonzalez-Mena is an early childhood consultant and writer, and professor emerita at the Napa Valley College. Anne Stonehouse is also an early childhood consultant and writer, and was associate professor of early childhood and director of the Centre for Early Childhood Research and Development at Monash University, Australia.