Diversity and Child Development: Essential Readings

Diversity and Child Development: Essential Readings offers students an essential perspective on diversity and equality in childhood studies. The anthology features a selection of carefully curated articles that introduce readers to theories, definitions, and a variety of techniques that can be applied in diverse settings. Additionally, the text provides numerous studies that help students appreciate and understand the diversity in different social categories in terms of race, ethnic background, class, sexual orientation, language, religions, exceptions, and disabilities.

The book is divided into four units. In Units I and II, readings address human development, diversity in childhood settings, and underscore the importance of recognizing, respecting, and helping individuals build positive and healthy identities in terms of their race and ethnicity in the early childhood classroom. Unit III discusses how recognition and acceptance of a child’s disabilities and specific needs are essential for successful teaching, the learning process, and the overall performance outcome. The readings in Unit IV focus on cultural sustainability, tolerance, and respecting diversity amount immigrant children and their families.

Gathering critical literature within the discipline, Diversity and Child Development is an ideal text for courses in early childhood development and early childhood education.