Contents
Introduction?1
Organization of the Book?3
1.??The Urgent Need for Principals to Become Early Learning Leaders?5
Foundations of High-Quality Early Childhood Classrooms?6
The Need for Principals to Be Effective Early Learning Leaders?8
Six Competencies for Effective Instructional Leadership in Early Childhood?8
Increased Focus on Equity in Early Childhood?9
The Early Childhood Workforce?14
Principals as Bridge Builders?16
2.??What Principals Need to Know About How Young Children Develop and Learn?19
Brain Development in the Early Childhood Years?19
Principles of Child Development and Learning?23
Young Children Learn in an Integrated Manner?25
Theories and Perspectives on Children?s Development and Learning?26
3.??Understanding Identity and Inclusion in Early Childhood?38
Young Children?s Racial Identity Development?38
Young Children?s Gender Identity Development?41
Bilingual and Multilingual Development in the Early Years?50
Young Children With Disabilities and Developmental Delays?53
Inclusive Environments in Early Childhood Education?55
4.??Understanding Toxic Stress and Trauma in Early Childhood?62
Healthy Versus Unhealthy Stress?63
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?63
Early Experiences With Adversity Do Not Determine a Child?s Future?69
Defining Trauma?69
Neuroplasticity in the Early Years?77
Creating Trauma-Responsive Learning Environments and Schools?78
5.??Understanding Curriculum in Early Childhood?81
Early Childhood Curriculum Looks Different From Elementary Curriculum?81
Curriculum Planning in Early Childhood?86
Different Approaches That Inform Curriculum in Early Childhood Education?90
Resisting a Standardized and Scripted Curriculum?112
6.??Instruction in the Early Childhood Classroom?115
The Importance of Individualizing?115
Play as a Primary Context for Teaching and Learning?117
Play-Based Learning Across a Continuum?118
The Benefits of Play for Children?s Learning and Development?123
Different Types of Play That Support Learning and Development?124
Open-Ended Materials and Loose Parts?127
Outdoor Play?128
Play Is Disappearing?130
7.??Creating a Caring Community of Learners?132
The Teaching Pyramid Model?132
Exclusionary Discipline in Preschool Classrooms?141
8.??A Closer Look at Powerful Learning in Early Childhood Classrooms?148
Promoting Cognitive Development?148
Promoting Language Development and the Emergence of Literacy?156
Promoting Creativity and Artistic Expression?170
Promoting Antiracist, Antibias Education?170
Promoting Trauma-Responsive Practice?179
9.??Assessment in Early Childhood?183
Characteristics of Effective Assessment Environments and Practices?184
Monitoring Young Children?s Growth and Development?189
One-Time ?Snapshot? Assessments?197
Concerns With Standardized Testing in Early Childhood?198
Effective and Equitable Use of Assessment in Early Childhood Classrooms?200
Involving Parents and Families in Assessment?200
Conclusion?205
Appendix A: Conducting Effective Early Learning Walk-Through Observations?207
Appendix B: Professional Development for Principals to Learn About High-Quality Early Childhood Education?209
Appendix C: Resources?214
References?219
Index?235
About the Authors?247
