Theories of Early Childhood Education

Lynn E. Cohen is Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Long Island University, USA. Sandra Waite-Stupiansky is Professor Emerita at Pennsylvania Western University at Edinboro, USA.

Part I: Developmental Theories 1. Jean Piaget’s Constructivist Theory of Learning 2. Maria Montessori: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow 3. The Eriksons’ Psychosocial Developmental Theory 4. The Importance of Urie Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Theory for Early Childhood Education 5. Vygotskian and Post-Vygotskian Approach: Focusing on “The Future Child” 6. Learning How to Mean. M.A.K. Halliday and the Language of Early Childhood Part II: Infant/Toddler Theories 7. T. B. Brazelton’s Developmental Approach to Learning 8. The Educaring Approach of Magda Gerber 9. Developing Attachment: The Theoretical Work of John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth Part III: Behaviorist Theories 10. The Work of B.F. Skinner: Effective Practices within Early Childhood Settings 11. Ole Ivar Lovaas: A Legacy of Learning for Children with Disabilities Part IV: Critical Theories 12. Mikhail Bakhtin: Dialogic Language and the Early Years 13. Educative Experiences in Early Childhood: Lessons from Dewey 14. The Whole World Is a Chorus: Paulo Freire’s Influence 15. Working with Deleuze and Guattari in Early Childhood Research and Education