This new volume in the Search Institute Series on Developmentally Attentive Community and Society represents a milestone in Search Institute's signature work on the Developmental Assets that children and adolescents need in their lives to succeed. Through the research behind this book, Karen VanderVen links this strength-based, community-based approach to human development to early childhood development and practice. In doing so, she advances a lo- term vision of understanding child and adolescent development not merely as a series of discrete stages, but as a trajectory of development in which experiences in each phase of development link to, reinforce, or redirect experiences in other aspects of life. To be sure, VanderVen explores with both breadth and depth a parti- larly critical time in child development: the early childhood years, ages 3-5. The latest research in numerous ?elds has only increased our understanding of how important it is for communities to attend to children's developmental expe- ences in these crucial years. Positive development in early childhood leads young people on a path to a healthy adulthood; and a lack of positive dev- opment in early childhood has a blunting effect that extends into elementary and secondary schooling years.

This new volume in the Search Institute Series on Developmentally Attentive Community and Society represents a milestone in Search Institute's signature work on the Developmental Assets that children and adolescents need in their lives to succeed. Through the research behind this book, Karen VanderVen links this strength-based, community-based approach to human development to early childhood development and practice. In doing so, she advances a lo- term vision of understanding child and adolescent development not merely as a series of discrete stages, but as a trajectory of development in which experiences in each phase of development link to, reinforce, or redirect experiences in other aspects of life. To be sure, VanderVen explores with both breadth and depth a parti- larly critical time in child development: the early childhood years, ages 3-5. The latest research in numerous ?elds has only increased our understanding of how important it is for communities to attend to children's developmental expe- ences in these crucial years. Positive development in early childhood leads young people on a path to a healthy adulthood; and a lack of positive dev- opment in early childhood has a blunting effect that extends into elementary and secondary schooling years.

The formative years -- ages three through five -- are critical to building a solid foundation for children's long-term success. And although the relationship between children and parents is central to healthy development, a variety of community members and institutions -- schools, programs, neighborhoods -- often make important and lasting contributions. Promoting Positive Development in Early Childhood introduces Developmental Assets for Early Childhood, a unique strengths-based framework that identifies the spectrum of positive influences on child development inside and outside the home and the qualities that can be nurtured with their concerted help. Translating insight, evidence, and research into meaningful practice, this volume: (1) Defines core areas of healthy development in terms of internal assets (e.g., positive identity and social competence) and external ones (e.g., empowerment and support), and includes both widely acknowledged and emerging concepts. (2) Presents a holistic approach to development by addressing the multiple influences and structures shaping children's lives. (3) Emphasizes resilience as a key component in healthy development and prevention against future risk. (4) Offers parents and community members practical guidelines informed by current theory and intervention design. (5) Establishes continuity of development from early and middle childhood through adolescence. Promoting Positive Development in Early Childhood is essential reading for clinicians, researchers, and other professionals whose work focuses on helping young children grow and thrive, including developmental, clinical, and community psychologists, educators, social workers, and policy makers and agencies.