Built around the 13 functional areas of the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, this book is packed with the information future teachers need, whether they will teach in a preschool, child care center, Head Start program, or pre-Kindergarten setting. All of the basic classroom skills are covered, bolstered by a theoretical background and accompanied by practical ideas for applying book concepts with young children and families.Topics emphasize ways to create a calm and happy classroom atmosphere, how to handle emergencies in a way that dissipates children's fears, strategies for supporting children's mental and emotional health, and ideas for helping children cope with traumas in their life. Includes discussions of new picture books; more than 200 children's books; computer programs that support text-recommended hands-on activities; cultural influences on children; and expanded discussion of the ways children make friends.For practicing teachers, administrators, or volunteers seeking CDA certification.