Teaching young children requires more than an ability to set goals, apply techniques and assess outcomes. It involves developing trusting relationships, deciding on what children need to know, creating secure and stimulating learning environments and working cooperatively with other significant adults in children's lives. This text aims to help prepare students for, and make the most of, teaching practice in a variety of early childhood settings which cater for children from birth to eight years. Chapters cover: ways of knowing and relating to children; the early childhood curriculum; effective social and physical environments for learning and teaching; and working collaboratively with colleagues and parents.