ABSTRACT

Contemporary Challenges in Teaching Young Children provides both veteran and aspiring early childhood educators with the information and tools they need to build on their understanding of developmentally appropriate practice.

Teachers face many challenges, including family configuration, social and political stressors related to accountability requirements, funding shortages, and the resulting need to teach with fewer resources. This innovative book focuses exclusively on problem-solving at the classroom level and fosters creative methods of ensuring best practices are in place for all children, including those with limited experience in formal social settings and a lack of self-regulatory behaviors. Drawing on current research and their own wealth of experience, expert contributors cover topics from the critical importance of social-emotional learning to culturally responsive teaching to using technology to empower teachers and learners.

Written in accessible, non-technical language, this book addresses complex factors affecting child development, guiding readers through the best strategies for tackling real problems in their practice.

chapter |5 pages

Editor’s Introduction

Facing the Challenges in Your Classroom

chapter 8|18 pages

Changing Curricular Trends in Early Childhood Education

Addressing the Needs of All Children

chapter 9|20 pages

Playful Learning

chapter 10|14 pages

Technology for Teachers and Learners

chapter 11|14 pages

Mirrors, Windows, and Springboards

Choosing and Using Quality Literature with the Young Children We Know

chapter 13|14 pages

“But Why?”

Considerations for Encouraging Scientific Thinking in the Preschool Classroom

chapter 15|8 pages

The Strength in Strategy

Planning for High-Quality Professional Learning Communities

chapter |2 pages

Conclusion

Teachers Succeeding in the Face of Challenges