Introduction

This Encyclopedia is a reference work about young children in the United States, designed for use by policy makers, community planners, parents of young children, teacher educators, early childhood educators, program and school administrators, and others. The field of early childhood education encompasses

• the education and care of children from birth through eight years of age;

• the preparation of adults who work with them (parents, teachers, caregivers, program or school administrators, and support personnel);

• engagement with policy issues that may affect the education and well-being of young children; and

• the nature of material resources.