Mission Statement: The mission of the series is to provide an integrated view of current knowledge within the various areas of early childhood education. Each volume in the series will present a scholarly, but accessible review of research and theory related to some aspect of early childhood education. The topics to be covered in each volume will be determined by which aspects of the field are considered particularly important at the time of its development as well as which are particularly generative in relation to current research and theory.

For decades, politicians, businessmen and other leaders have been concerned with the quality of education, including early childhood education, in the United States. While more than 50% of the children between the ages of three and five are enrolled in preschool and kindergarten programs in the United States, no state, federal, or national standards exist for science or technology education in preschool or kindergarten programs. Knowledge about science and technology is an important requirement for all in contemporary society. An increasing number of professions require the use of scientific concepts and technological skills and society as a whole depends on scientific knowledge. Scientific and technological knowledge should be a part of every individual's education. There are many ways to enhance young children's scientific thinking and problem-solving skills as well as their technological abilities. The purpose of this volume is to present a critical analysis of reviews of research on science and technology education in early childhood education. The first part of the volume includes contributions by leading scholars in science, while the second part includes contributions by leading scholars in technology.

The purpose of this volume is to present a selection of chapters that reflect current issues relating to children's socialization processes that help them become successful members of their society. From birth children are unique in their rates of growth and development, including the development of their social awareness and their ability to interact socially. They interpret social events based on their developing life style and environmental experiences. The children's socialization is influenced by several important social forces including the family and its organization, their peer group, and the significant others in their lives. In "Theories of Socialization and Social Development," Olivia Saracho and Bernard Spodek describe the children's socialization forces and the different developmental theories that have influenced our understanding of the socialization process. These include maturationist theory (developed by Arnold Gesell), constructivist theories (developed by such theorists as Jean Piaget, Lev S. Vygotsky, and Jerome Bruner), psychodynamic theories (developed by such theorists as Sigmund Freud, Erik Erikson, Harry Stack Sullivan, and Alfred Adler), and ecological theory (developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner). Each theory provides interpretations of the meaning of the children's social development and describes the different characteristics for each age group in the developmental sequences.

The purpose of this volume is to present a selection of chapters that reflect current issues relating to children's socialization processes that help them become successful members of their society. From birth children are unique in their rates of growth and development, including the development of their social awareness and their ability to interact socially. They interpret social events based on their developing life style and environmental experiences. The children's socialization is influenced by several important social forces including the family and its organization, their peer group, and the significant others in their lives. In "Theories of Socialization and Social Development," Olivia Saracho and Bernard Spodek describe the children's socialization forces and the different developmental theories that have influenced our understanding of the socialization process. These include maturationist theory (developed by Arnold Gesell), constructivist theories (developed by such theorists as Jean Piaget, Lev S. Vygotsky, and Jerome Bruner), psychodynamic theories (developed by such theorists as Sigmund Freud, Erik Erikson, Harry Stack Sullivan, and Alfred Adler), and ecological theory (developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner). Each theory provides interpretations of the meaning of the children's social development and describes the different characteristics for each age group in the developmental sequences.

A volume in Contemporary Perspectives in Early Childhood Education Series Editors Olivia N. Saracho and Bernard Spodek This volume provides a comprehensive critical analysis of the research in mathematics education for young children. The researchers who conducted the critical analysis focused on the relationship between (1) mathematics learning in the early years and domain specific approaches to cognitive development, (2) the children's social learning and their developing understanding of math, and (3) the children's learning in a natural context and their understanding of mathematics concepts. The work of these scholars can help guide those researchers who are interested in pursuing studies in early childhood mathematics in a specific area of study. This volume will facilitate the research conducted by both novice and expert researchers. The volume has accomplished its major goals, which consists of critically analyzing important research in a specific area that would be most useful in advancing the field and provide recommendations for both researchers and educators.

A volume in Contemporary Perspectives in Early Childhood Education Series Editors Olivia N. Saracho and Bernard Spodek This volume provides a comprehensive critical analysis of the research in mathematics education for young children. The researchers who conducted the critical analysis focused on the relationship between (1) mathematics learning in the early years and domain specific approaches to cognitive development, (2) the children's social learning and their developing understanding of math, and (3) the children's learning in a natural context and their understanding of mathematics concepts. The work of these scholars can help guide those researchers who are interested in pursuing studies in early childhood mathematics in a specific area of study. This volume will facilitate the research conducted by both novice and expert researchers. The volume has accomplished its major goals, which consists of critically analyzing important research in a specific area that would be most useful in advancing the field and provide recommendations for both researchers and educators.

For decades, politicians, businessmen and other leaders have been concerned with the quality of education, including early childhood education, in the United States. While more than 50% of the children between the ages of three and five are enrolled in preschool and kindergarten programs in the United States, no state, federal, or national standards exist for science or technology education in preschool or kindergarten programs. Knowledge about science and technology is an important requirement for all in contemporary society. An increasing number of professions require the use of scientific concepts and technological skills and society as a whole depends on scientific knowledge. Scientific and technological knowledge should be a part of every individual's education. There are many ways to enhance young children's scientific thinking and problem-solving skills as well as their technological abilities. The purpose of this volume is to present a critical analysis of reviews of research on science and technology education in early childhood education.The first part of the volume includes contributions by leading scholars in science, while the second part includes contributions by leading scholars in technology.

In the chapters that follow, the history and current status of early childhood education in selected countries, along with a review of current research that is being conducted in these countries will be presented. In essence this will provide a glimpse of the intellectual base of early childhood education in many parts of the world

Social epistemology is a broad set of approaches to the study of knowledge and to gain information about the social dimensions. This intellectual movement of wide cross-disciplinary sources reconstructs the problems of epistemology when knowledge is considered to be intrinsically social. In the first chapter, ""Social Epistemology and Social Learning,"" Olivia Saracho and Bernard Spodek discuss the social and historical contexts in which different forms of knowledge are formulated based on the perspective of social epistemology. They also discuss the emergence of social epistemology, which guides researchers to investigate social phenomena in laboratory and field settings. Social factors ""external"" to the appropriate business of science have a major impact in the social studies researchers'= historical case studies. Thus, social studies researchers may be considered social epistemologists, because (a) they focus on knowledge of social influences and (b) they infer epistemologically significant conclusions from their sociological or anthropological research. In addition, analyses indicate that studies of scientific paradigms are basically a struggle for political power rather than reflecting reliable epistemic merit. Social studies researchers focus on knowledge of social influences on knowledge, which is analogous to the knowledge of the social epistemologists. They also use their sociological or anthropological research to infer epistemologically significant conclusions.

Social epistemology is a broad set of approaches to the study of knowledge and to gain information about the social dimensions. This intellectual movement of wide cross-disciplinary sources reconstructs the problems of epistemology when knowledge is considered to be intrinsically social. In the first chapter, ""Social Epistemology and Social Learning,"" Olivia Saracho and Bernard Spodek discuss the social and historical contexts in which different forms of knowledge are formulated based on the perspective of social epistemology. They also discuss the emergence of social epistemology, which guides researchers to investigate social phenomena in laboratory and field settings. Social factors ""external"" to the appropriate business of science have a major impact in the social studies researchers'= historical case studies. Thus, social studies researchers may be considered social epistemologists, because (a) they focus on knowledge of social influences and (b) they infer epistemologically significant conclusions from their sociological or anthropological research.In addition, analyses indicate that studies of scientific paradigms are basically a struggle for political power rather than reflecting reliable epistemic merit. Social studies researchers focus on knowledge of social influences on knowledge, which is analogous to the knowledge of the social epistemologists. They also use their sociological or anthropological research to infer epistemologically significant conclusions.

Contents: Emergence of Families, Communities, and Schools in Early Childhood Education: Introduction, Olivia N. Saracho and Bernard Spodek. Challenges and Realities: Family-Community-School Partnership, Olivia N. Saracho and Bernard Spodek. Families and Early Childhood Education Through the Years, Bernard Spodek and Olivia N. Saracho. Young Children Experiencing Divorce and Family Transitions: How Early Childhood Professionals Can Help, Marion F. Ehrenberg, Jacqueline E. Bush, Jennifer D. Pringle, Marei Luedemann, and Jennifer Geisretter. Family context and psychological development in early childhood: Educational implications, Enrique B. Arranz Freijo. Parenting Self-Efficacy and Competence in Relation to Young Children's Social and Academic Outcomes, Priscilla K. Coleman and Katherine H. Karraker. Emotion Regulation: Implications For Children's School Readiness and Achievement, Julia M. Braungart-Rieker and Ashley L. Hill.

In the chapters that follow, the history and current status of early childhood education in selected countries, along with a review of currentresearch that is being conducted in these countries will be presented. In essence this will provide a glimpse of the intellectual base of earlychildhood education in many parts of the world

An examination of teachers in early childhood settings. Areas covered include: factors that impact on teacher quality; transformative pathways in becoming an early childhood teacher; Sensei - early childhood education teachers in Japan; and beliefs of early childhood teachers.

An examination of teachers in early childhood settings. Areas covered include: factors that impact on teacher quality; transformative pathways in becoming an early childhood teacher; Sensei - early childhood education teachers in Japan; and beliefs of early childhood teachers.

In this anthology, Saracho (curriculum and instruction, University of Maryland) and Spodek (early childhood education, University of Illinois) present work reviewing the current state of knowledge on the education of students who are not fully proficient in English. The editors attempt to move beyond the narrow focus of language instruction that ha

Language Policy and Literacy Instruction, Olivia N. Saracho and Bernard Spodek. Historical Perspectives in Language Policy and Literacy Reform, Olivia N. Saracho and Bernard Spodek. Second Language Issues in Early Literacy and Instruction, Elizabeth S. Pang and Michael L. Kamil.

This volume on literacy in early childhood education covers topics such as: teachers' roles in promoting literacy-related play; hypermediating literacy activity; creating opportunities for discourse; bridging home and school literacy; and engaging children in the appropriation of literacy.

This text looks at how the study of play has gained attention and concerns about play in young children have emerged. Ten chapters examine the understanding of play and its theories, play in school, pre-school and theories of pretence, mental representation and humour development.

Mission Statement: The mission of the series is to provide an integrated view of current knowledge within the various areas of early childhood education. Each volume in the series will present a scholarly, but accessible review of research and theory related to some aspect of early childhood education. The topics to be covered in each volume will be determined by which aspects of the field are considered particularly important at the time of its development as well as which are particularly generative in relation to current research and theory.

This volume on literacy in early childhood education covers topics such as: teachers' roles in promoting literacy-related play; hypermediating literacy activity; creating opportunities for discourse; bridging home and school literacy; and engaging children in the appropriation of literacy.

Contents: Emergence of Families, Communities, and Schools in Early Childhood Education: Introduction, Olivia N. Saracho and Bernard Spodek. Challenges and Realities: Family-Community-School Partnership, Olivia N. Saracho and Bernard Spodek. Families and Early Childhood Education Through the Years, Bernard Spodek and Olivia N. Saracho. Young Children Experiencing Divorce and Family Transitions: How Early Childhood Professionals Can Help, Marion F. Ehrenberg, Jacqueline E. Bush, Jennifer D. Pringle, Marei Luedemann, and Jennifer Geisretter. Family context and psychological development in early childhood: Educational implications, Enrique B. Arranz Freijo. Parenting Self-Efficacy and Competence in Relation to Young Children's Social and Academic Outcomes, Priscilla K. Coleman and Katherine H. Karraker. Emotion Regulation: Implications For Children's School Readiness and Achievement, Julia M. Braungart-Rieker and Ashley L. Hill."

The volume editors of this work cast an eye towards the future, where US schools and society will be increasingly populated by racially and ethnically diverse groups, more so than any other period in the country's history. Rachel Grant examines the practices and methods in the teaching of second language learners. Fred Genesee and Elena Nicoladis discuss bilingualism in preschool children. S. Jim Campos describes and analyses a preschool programme for Latino children. Celia Genishi and Margaret Borrego Brainard review the ways in which the language capacities of bilingual children are tested by teachers and institutions. Howard L. Smith and Paul E. Heckman look at a playground fight which becomes emblematic of the clashes between Spanish-dominant and English-dominant children. George P. Knight, Martha E. Bernal and Gustavo Carlo compare and contrast socialisation and individual behaviour among Mexican-American children. Francisco A. Villarruel, David R. Imig and Marjorie J. Kostelnick look at different family structures in culturally diverse families and their impact on children. Karen Shu-Minutoli also looks at the family: the characteristics, styles, and support needed in care of disabled, diverse children. Patricia A. Edwards, Kathleen L. Fear and Margaret A. Gallego examine parents' roles in the pursuit of fair education for their children, and how they can affect curriculum. In the last two chapters, Olivia N. Saracho and Bernard Spodek discuss teacher preparation in early childhood education programmes for diverse chilren, and in conclusion, summarise the challenges that face us regarding the issue of linguistic and cultural diversity.