This is a comprehensive, observation oriented introduction to the field of preschool, kindergarten and primary grade teaching. It is organized around four characteristics essential to effective teaching of young children; professional commitment, sensitivity to development, organizational and managerial skills and curriculum resourcefulness. Part 2 of the book presents three sets of paired chapters covering cognitive, physical and social development. The first chapter in each case summarizes what is known about that area of development and the second one shows how to observe and record behavior and ability in that area, and then describes how to plan developmentally sound lessons. This new edition offeres three new chapters: play, diversity and literacy and literature. In addition, a new discussion of co-operative learning has been added to the chapter on teaching techniques, and a discussion of children in poverty has been added to the chapter on issues and perspectives.