A biographical history of the evolution of Developmentally Appropriate Practice, written by best-selling early childhood author David Elkind, PhD.

Examine the evolution of developmentally appropriate practice with this biographical history of early childhood education. This book explores the theory's progression from its beginnings in writings of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century philosophers, its experimental implementation by eighteenth- and nineteenth-century practitioner, to its scientific grounding in contemporary theory and research. Included are biographical sketches and perspectives of eleven philosophical, pedagogical, and theoretical figures - the giants - whose contributions mark turning points in early childhood education.