Early Education Curriculum Child Connect

Packed with hands-on tips, Beaver/Wyatt's EARLY EDUCATION CURRICULUM: A CHILD'S CONNECTION TO THE WORLD, 8th Edition, shows you how to conduct observations and assessments, plan and implement a curriculum, set up an inclusive child-centered environment, plan developmentally appropriate activities in 11 subject areas and use technology in early learning programs. Students and experienced teachers alike will learn how to make informed decisions about curriculum content, develop creative thinking skills and effectively apply development and learning theory. Updated with the latest research and national standards, the 8th Edition presents material on brain research that underlies teaching ideas as well as information on reflective practice, intentional teaching, the environment as a teaching tool and equity and diversity. Case studies enable you to apply your knowledge to real-life issues.

Nancy H. Beaver retired as full-time program administrator for the Child Development and Teacher Education department and adjunct professor at Eastfield College, a campus of Dallas College, in January 2020 after 25 years. She continues to teach early childhood education courses as an adjunct professor at the University of North Texas at Dallas. She holds a B.S. in education from the University of Texas and a master's degree in early childhood education from the University of North Texas. Throughout her career, Beaver has held a variety of early childhood roles -- from a consultant providing training and technical assistance to Air Force Family Member Services program staff, to a licensing representative and child development specialist for the state of Texas. A former executive director of a nonprofit agency, she has raised more than $5.5 million for nonprofit organizations and community colleges. In 2005, Beaver was awarded the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children's Trainer of the Year Award. She successfully led the Eastfield College Children's Laboratory School staff to earn National Association for the Education of Young Children program accreditation in 2008 and 2013. From 2018 through 2019, she served on an NAEYC convened workgroup to develop the Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators. Currently, she is a commissioner on the NAEYC Commission on Early Childhood Higher Education Accreditation. In addition, Beaver has served in many roles on the Dallas AEYC board, including two terms as president. She also was vice president of the Texas AEYC and was president of ACCESS: American Associate Degree Early Childhood Educators in 2013 and 2014. Beaver was married to her college sweetheart, Dom, for 28 years before his death in 2019. She has one daughter, Stephanie.

Susan Skinner Wyatt has more than 40 years of experience in the field of child development/early care and education. She earned a master's degree in child development and family living and a Ph.D. in child development with an emphasis in adult education and educational administration from Texas Woman's University. Her numerous roles include child care center educator, child care center director, public school teacher from elementary through high school, community college professor, counselor, curriculum developer, public speaker/workshop presenter and author. She also has experiences as a professional development specialist for the national CDA credential training, a child care health consultant and National Association for the Education of Young Children validator and peer reviewer for both center-based and higher education accreditations. After more than two decades, Dr. Wyatt recently retired as chair of the Child Development/Early Childhood Education and Teacher Education departments at Eastfield College in the Dallas area. Her board service includes the Dallas Association for the Education of Young Children (past president and treasurer), Dallas Association for Parent Education (executive director/president) and Child Development Educator's Association of the Texas Community College Teachers Association (past president and secretary). Dr. Wyatt's honors include the Dallas County Community College District Innovator of the Year Award, Texas Association for the Education of Young Children Teacher Educator of the Year, Eastfield College Educator of the Year, the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence Award and the state of Texas' Minnie Stevens Piper Professor Award. She is married with three adult children (Ellie, Patrick and Brandon) and four grandchildren (Seth, Jacob, Noah and Kenna).