Here is specific, practical help for planning, designing, and implementing effective early childhood curriculum, ages three through eight. Readers see clearly how children learn; what children can learn; and the specific concepts, ideas, and strategies that are developmentally appropriate for young children. KEY TOPICS: Early childhood curriculum, importance of play; designing curriculum in early childhood education; importance of diversity; children with special needs; developmentally appropriate practice; family/school partnerships; early childhood assessment; personal and social development of young children; physical health and fitness; nutrition and food experiences; language development; reading and literacy instruction in early childhood; children's literature and stories; phonemic awareness; phonics; vocabulary; comprehension; writing; exploring physical science, earth and space science, and life science in early childhood; teaching about color, fire, and weight balance; teaching about air, rocks, water, temperature, weather, and seasons MARKET Pre-service and practicing early childhood teachers, specifically ages three through eightAbout the Author: Claudia Eliason is the co-author of this textbook, now in its 10th edition. She has also authored several peer-reviewed journal articles. She taught 1st grade and then was an Assistant Professor at Utah State University for seven years. After earning her doctorate degree she taught for 16 years at Weber State University in Teacher Education where she was, for five years, the director of the Master of Education program. She retired in 2012 and enjoys time with her husband, six children, and 15 grandchildren. Loa Jenkins taught at Ricks College (now Brigham Young University-Idaho) for 3 years, then Utah State University for 4 years. This fall, 2014, she is retiring from the public school system after teaching early childhood special education for 16 years. She is the co-author of this textbook, Practical Guide to Early Childhood Curriculum, now in its 10th edition. She and her husband have four children and eight grandchildren.