Introduction to Early Childhood Education

Dr. Eva Essa is a retired professor of Human Development and Family Studies. She taught child development and early childhood education classes for 41 years at the University of Nevada, Reno. For 16 of those years she also served as the director of the Child and Family Research Center, which shifted from being a small laboratory school to a full-time program for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children of students, faculty, and staff during Dr. Essa's years as director. Dr. Essa published several other books and numerous articles relevant to early childhood education. She has also been involved in a range of professional activities on campus, within the community, throughout the state, and nationally. Dr. Melissa Burnham is the Associate Dean for the College of Education and Professor of Human Development and Family Studies and Early Childhood Education. She has been a faculty member at the University of Nevada, Reno since the fall of 2001. Dr. Burnham's research interests focus on the examination of infant and child development in context. She has studied the impact of quality early care and education on child development and P-3 educational reform efforts, and has been involved in P-3 work at the local and state levels in Nevada since 2011. Dr. Burnham has worked on an initiative resulting in existing primary grade teachers obtaining licensure in Early Childhood Education, and in the creation of a new Educational Leadership principal preparation program in collaboration with a local school district. Thus, her work spans research, policy, and practice.