Early Childhood Education Today, Global Edition, 13th edition
Title overview
A leading text for Introduction to Early Childhood Education courses keeps students on the cutting edge of early childhood teaching practice and professionalism.
George Morrison’s newest edition presents current, research-based information on providing high-quality early education to all children so that they can be successful in school and in life.
The new edition retains the engaging style that has made the book so popular and provides practical examples of authentic teaching practices used by master teachers. Its strong coverage of development in the age/grade-specific chapters and its emphasis on diversity make it a leading text in the field.
The new edition integrates 13 critical themes that are foundational to the field today: the importance of children’s literacy development, teaching in increasingly diverse classrooms, applying developmentally appropriate practice, closing the achievement gap, integrated special education and early childhood education services, teaching in inclusive classrooms, closing school readiness gaps, meeting the challenges of teacher accountability, integrating STEM subjects into the curriculum, providing for children’s mental health, using technology to support learners, developing as a professional, and guiding children’s behavior to promote personal responsibility.
- New chapter-opening learning outcomes. Clarifying exactly what readers will learn in the chapter, these learning outcomes align with the major text sections of the chapter. In the eText, readers can click on the learning outcome to be taken directly to the relevant section of the chapter.
- Correlation to NAEYC Standards for Professional Preparation Programs. In the eText, new chapter-opening links correlate the chapter to the specific National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards covered, helping readers become familiar with these important standards for knowledge and practice.
- New Check Your Understanding exercises. These interactive eText exercises present a scenario and response options. Feedback on answers will help students determine whether fundamental concepts are understood or need review.
- New Reflect and Apply exercises. These eText exercises present challenging situations and ask readers to apply what they’ve read to propose a solution. Feedback is provided so that readers can compare responses with that of an experienced teacher.
- New Observe and Analyze exercises. These video-based eText exercises present readers with a video illustrating child growth and development, teaching and/or learning in action. An open-ended question asks readers to examine the video critically and respond using evidence from the video and understanding of chapter concepts. Feedback is provided for support.
- Chapter-ending Activities for Professional Development including:
- Ethical Dilemmas. Early childhood professionals will inevitably face difficult choices that require a solid understanding of ethical responsibility and best practices. To that end, each chapter includes an ethical dilemma based on issues and real-life situations faced by early childhood teachers today. They present difficult decisions that teachers and others have to make. These ethical dilemmas help readers build a better understanding of what it means to think like a professional and to respond appropriately in complicated and potentially compromising situations.
- Activities to Apply What You have Learned. The chapter-opening learning outcomes are revisited. One activity per learning outcome helps students assess content knowledge and/or apply understanding of that content.
- Voice from the Field. Teachers’ authentic voices play a major role in illustrating authentic practices. Voice from the Field features enable practicing teachers to explain their philosophies, beliefs, and program practices. These teachers mentor readers as they relate how they practice early childhood education. Among the contributors are professionals who are Teachers of the Year, have received prestigious awards, and have National Board Certification.
- Voice from the Field: Competency Builder. The Voice from the Field features that are labeled as Competency Builders are designed to build competence and confidence in performing essential teaching tasks, step-by-step.
- Lesson Plans. Planning for teaching and learning constitutes an important dimension, the professional role. This is especially true today, with the emphasis on ensuring that children learn what is mandated by state standards. The lesson plans in this text, found in chapters 9-13, follow the 5E Model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Extend, and Evaluate). They enable readers t
The Thirteenth Edition includes:
- Increased focus on practical and applicable content. Every chapter specifically outlines and identifies through Implications for Teaching headings what teachers can do in their classrooms to help children learn and grow.
- 7 new Voice from the Field and Voice from the Field: Competency Builder features.
- A refocused emphasis on the professional goals and responsibilities of early childhood teachers today. Every chapter focuses on the contemporary societal and educational issues that influence what teachers teach and how they teach and the professional practices teachers need to be successful.
- An expanded discussion of teaching with standards, including state standards, Common Core State Standards, and professional organization standards.
- An increased emphasis on how teachers can incorporate multicultural practices into their teaching and learning.
- An expanded discussion of the integration of technology through teaching and learning including more examples of how teachers use technology to teach and a new 5E lesson plan specifically designed around teaching with technology.
- An expanded discussion of the teacher’s role in the observation and assessment of children’s learning and how to use observation and assessment to enhance instructional practices.
- New Ethical Dilemmas at the end of the chapters.
Table of contents
Part 1 • Early Childhood Education and Professional Development
Chapter 1 You and Early Childhood Education: What Does It Mean to Be a Professional?
Chapter 2 Current Issues and Public Policy: Contemporary Influences on Children and Families
Chapter 3 Observation and Assessment for Teaching and Learning: Effective Teaching Through Appropriate Evaluation
Part 2 • Foundations: History and Theories
Chapter 4 The Past and the Present: Prologue to the Future
Chapter 5 Theories Applied to Teaching and Learning: Foundations for Practice
Part 3 • Programs and Services for Children and Families
Chapter 6 Early Childhood Programs: Applying Theories to Practice
Chapter 7 Child Care: Meeting the Needs of Children and Families
Chapter 8 The Federal and State Government: Supporting Children’s Success
Part 4 • Teaching Today’s Young Children: Linking Development and Learning
Chapter 9 Infants and Toddlers: Foundation Years for Learning
Chapter 10 The Preschool Years: Readiness for School and Life
Chapter 11 Kindergarten Education: Learning All You Need to Know
Chapter 12 The Primary Grades: Preparation for Lifelong Success
Chapter 13 Technology and Young Children: Education for the Information Age
Part 5 • Meeting the Special Needs of Young Children
Chapter 14 Guiding Children: Helping Children Become Responsible
Chapter 15 Multiculturalism: Living and Learning in a Diverse Society
Chapter 16 Children with Diverse Needs: Appropriate Education for All
Chapter 17 Parent, Family, and the Community Involvement: Building Partnerships for Student Success
Appendix A NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment
Appendix B NAEYC Guidelines for Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age Eight
Appendix C Time Line: The History of Early Childhood Education
Endnotes
Glossary
Index
Author bios
George S. Morrison is professor of early childhood education at the University of North Texas where he teaches early childhood education and development to undergraduates and mentors masters and doctoral students. He is an experienced teacher and principal in the public schools.
Professor Morrison’s accomplishments include the Distinguished Academic Service Award from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Outstanding Service and Teaching Awards from Florida International University, and the College of Education Faculty Teaching Excellence Award at the University of North Texas. His books include Early Childhood Education Today, Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education, and Teaching in America. Professor Morrison has also written books about the education and development of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers; child development; the contemporary curriculum; and parent/family/ community Involvement.
Dr. Morrison is a popular author, speaker, and presenter. He is senior contributing editor for the Public School Montessorian. His research and presentations focus on the globalization of early childhood education, the influence of contemporary educational reforms on education, and the application of best practices to early childhood education. Professor Morrison also lectures and gives keynote addresses on early childhood education and development in Thailand, Taiwan, China, South Korea, and the Philippines.