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