Early Education Curriculum: A Child’s Connection to the World

EARLY EDUCATION CURRICULUM: A CHILD'S CONNECTION TO THE WORLD shows you how to conduct observations and assessments of children and the program, plan and implement a curriculum, set up an inclusive child-centered environment, and evaluate and document program quality and children's learning. Whether you are a student or an experienced teacher, this book will help you learn how to make informed decisions about curriculum content as well as to develop creative thinking skills and effectively apply theory to an early childhood classroom setting. Updated with the most current research and standards, the seventh edition presents new material on brain research that underlies teaching ideas as well as new information on reflective practice, intentional teaching, and using the environment as a teaching tool. Case studies allow you to apply your knowledge to solve real-life dilemmas. The book's strong applied approach focuses on the how-to's of teaching, with many hands-on teaching tips.

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).

Hilda L. Jackman is Professor Emerita at Brookhaven College, Dallas County Community College District. Ms. Jackman has worked with children and families for over 40 years in both children’s theatre and children’s television, and as an educator and consultant. She is the author of several early childhood books, including SING ME A STORY! TELL ME A SONG! CREATIVE THEMATIC ACTIVITIES FOR TEACHERS OF YOUNG CHILDREN (2005), also published by Cengage Learning.