Teaching young children requires more than an ability to set goals, apply techniques and assess outcomes. It involves developing trusting relationships, deciding what children need to know, creating secure and stimulating learning environments and working cooperatively with other significant adults in the children's lives.

This book will help teachers prepare for and make the most of the teaching practice in a variety of early childhood settings. Among the issues discussed are ways of knowing and relating to children; the early childhood curriculum; effective social and physical environments for learning and teaching; and working collaboratively with colleagues and parents.

The practical guidelines and suggestions offered in the book are aimed at challenging teachers to do their own thinking about learning and teaching, encouraging them to employ their specialized and personal knowledge in the development of sound teaching practices and dynamic learning environments.