Teaching Young Children: An Introduction to Early Childhood Education is an introduction to the field of early childhood education. It provides a broad overview of the history, philosophy and theories of development as they relate to current best teaching practices. Students will examine the teacher's role in creating responsive, multicultural, and inclusive environments for young children, as well as the importance of play in the learning process. The development of observation skills, combined with practical experience, will aid the student in documentation of young children's thinking and behavior during the Child Study. Health and safety in the early childhood environment, basic classroom management strategies, and communication skills will also be discussed. Throughout the course, students' discovery of who they are in the lives of children will assist in the process of becoming early childhood professionals.