Preface

Overview to this Textbook

Welcome to Introduction to Early Childhood Education. This textbook will cover the following topics based on Colorado Standard Competencies:

• An understanding of professionalism in Early Childhood Education
• The developmental milestones for children ages birth through 8
• Best practices for health, safety and nutrition for young children
• Developmentally and culturally appropriate practices for programs serving young children
• Early childhood and special education terminology
• Strategies for building relationships with families and community
• Bias-free attitudes and practices for supporting diversity and inclusion in early childhood programs
• Guidance techniques and classroom management strategy
• Basic knowledge of national, state, and local regulatory agencies and quality initiatives
• Child observation skills including direct and indirect observation and objective documentation
• Links between observation and assessment to create individual learning goals
• Importance of communicating observation and assessment information to families