Designed to help readers recognize the special knowledge and skills needed to offer a nurturing group care environment
to very young children.
Assists caregivers, program directors, families, trainers, and others meet the needs of each individual child.
Helps in recognizing early development stages, achieving necessary health and safety standards, creating good relationships,
developing training and mentoring programs, linking with other community-based service systems, providing continuity
of care, and being sensitive to cultural and linguistic needs. Includes examples of appropriate and inappropriate
caregiver responses to typical child behavior; stories that illustrate day-to-day experiences and dilemmas; and
a chart of developmental milestones. The 2003 edition includes updated references and resources for further learning.