ABSTRACT
This chapter describes two approaches relevant to development and instruction in early childhood. These are: ecological theories of development; and behavioral theories of development. Ecological approaches to development focus on the interactions between a child and their environments, including the microsystem and more distant ecologies. Behavioral approaches are complementary to ecological systems theory; the focus is generally on the microsystem—the environmental contexts in which the child is directly involved. The chapter discusses how ecological and behavioral theories are helpful for planning instruction and why high-quality environments are a critical foundation for intervention in early childhood. Ecological and behavioral theories provide a foundation for understanding and explaining behavior—environment relations and their influence on child development and learning. National Association for the Education of Young Children is important in early childhood for its work in identifying developmentally appropriate practices and advocating for high-quality early childhood experiences.
