<p>This comprehensive book provides the knowledge and skills that prospective early childhood teachers need in order to confidently educate young children while effectively collaborating with parents， other professionals， and community agencies. It encourages readers to take full advantage of the educational arena to give all young children the tools they need to succeed in school and in life. The broadest foundational coverage available is organized around seven core themes: Professionalism in Practice， Theory to Practice， Diversity， Family-Centered/Community-Based Practice， Timeliness， Developmentally-Appropriate Practice， and Applying Technology. Throughout the material， special features showcase the reality of early childhood education &ldquo;as it happens&rdquo; today. Special coverage of Child Care facilitates students understanding of the field of child care， offering ideas for developing plans to meet the childcare needs of the future. Discusses Federal and State Support for Early Childhood Programs&mdash;covering such programs as Head Start and Even Start.</p>