This text differs from other models or approaches texts in its vivid descriptions of programs and settings and practical instructional applications. Foundational chapters on Early Childhood Education history, learning theories, and NAEYC's Developmentally Appropriate Practice and Code of Ethics give students an introduction to the field, while chapters discussing The Project Approach, Multiple Intelligences, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf help students to understand distinctions and similarities among classroom learning approaches. Highly practical, realistic "Putting It Into Practice" features show students how to apply theory with young children in today's classrooms. This text includes themes of self-reflection and developing an identity as an early childhood teacher, using developmentally appropriate practices, and developing sections of a professional portfolio in each chapter. Appendices offer charts for students to write in as they acquire knowledge, providing opportunity to synthesize and form an overview of the field. Appendices also include reprinted NAEYC documents. This is a core text for Introduction/Foundations in Early Childhood Education courses or Issues/Models of Early Childhood Education courses.