Introduction to Early Childhood Education: Equity and Inclusion

Equity and Inclusion

Johnna Darragh

Takes a Blended Early Childhood General/Special Education Approach

• Offers a broad overview of the field of early childhood education, with a focus on teaching each and every child.
• Weaves the needs of diverse learners throughout the text, as opposed to isolating content in chapter inserts or a separate chapter.
• Uniquely emphasizes access for children, families, and professionals to the field of early childhood education and provides strategies supporting equity and success. See also “Issues of Access and Equity” on pages XX, XX, and XXX.

Brings the Field to Life Through Extensive Examples

• “Teaching and Learning Connections” boxes offer applicable and straightforward strategies for chapter content. See pages XX, XX, and XX.
• Vignettes and case studies highlight chapter material in a natural context, helping students visualize what they’re learning.
• MyEducationLab, a rich and integrated online experience, provides students a view into real classrooms when they watch videos and answer assignable questions to assess their understanding of chapter content and build skills they will need as teachers.

Helps Students Put Theory into Practice

• Draws strong connections among theory, curriculum planning, implementation, and assessment and emphasizes the intentional curriculum.

Supports Professional Development

• Discusses diverse types and levels of professional experiences.
• Ties end-of-chapter material to NAEYC Standards for Professional Preparation, CEC/DEC Personnel Standards for Early Education and Early Intervention, and NAEYC and DEC Codes of Ethical Conduct.
• Presents issues and strategies to support professional development over time, including development of a philosophy of education and a portfolio.

Unlike most other texts for Introduction to Early Childhood Education on the market, this one gives foundational coverage of the field, while also incorporating coverage of diverse learners and the importance of access to education and services throughout. The author focuses on the complementary needs of families, children, and professionals in nearly every chapter. The book is structured to support needed professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions to ensure equity and accountability for success while also supporting children’s knowledge, skills, and dispositions across the curr

Dr. Johnna Darragh has taught early childhood education courses at the associate, baccalaureate, and masters degree level. She is currently a Professor of Early Childhood Education at Heartland Community College, and serves as faculty liaison to their inclusive Child Development Lab. Johnna is a member of several Illinois committees focusing on workforce development and inclusion, and is the Illinois Liaison to the National Professional Development Center on Inclusion. She is a member of the Illinois Professional Development Advisory Committee (PDAC) Steering Committee, and serves on the National Center to Mobilize Early Childhood Knowledge (CONNECT) Steering Committee. In 2008, Johnna was a participant in the 2008 Project Forum on Universal Design. She has experience teaching infant/toddlers and preschoolers, and as a home visitor/family support specialist. Her recent publications and presentations focus on inclusion and Universal Design for Early Childhood Education. Johnna has a Ph.D. in Human and Community Development from the University of Illinois.