Handbook of Early Childhood Teacher Education

This handbook synthesizes both contemporary research and best practices in early childhood teacher education, a unique segment of teacher education defined by its focus on child development, the role of the family, and support for all learners. The first volume of its kind, the Handbook of Early Childhood Teacher Education provides comprehensive coverage on key topics in the field, including the history of early childhood teacher education programs, models for preparing early childhood educators, pedagogical approaches to supporting diverse learners, and contemporary influences on this quickly expanding area of study.

Appropriate for early childhood teacher educators as well as both pre- and in-service teachers working with children aged birth through eight, this handbook articulates the unique features of early childhood teacher education, highlighting the strengths and limitations of current practice as based in empirical research. It concludes by charting future directions for research with an aim to improve the preparation of early childhood educators.

Leslie J. Couse is Associate Professor of Education at the University of New Hampshire, USA, and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, USA.

Susan L. Recchia is Professor of Education, Co-coordinator of the Program in Integrated Early Childhood Education, and Faculty Director of the Rita Gold Early Childhood Center at Teachers College, Columbia University, USA.