After thirty years of working with children from diverse backgrounds, the author has seen first hand the consequences of inadequate training, misguided practices, neglect, misunderstanding, and even outright bigotry on the life forces of bright, curious, and highly verbal children who happen to have been born into poverty.  Their eagerness to learn and to participate in a social community, their youthful quirkiness and delight in the mysteries of the world—these can all be muted before they ever begin formal schooling.  However, well-crafted early education programs staffed by qualified and caring educators can successfully partner with families who speak little English and joyfully educate young children and prepare them for the rigors of formal academic instruction.  This book draws on the author’s experience to provide all practitioners with research-based strategies and practices that they need to educate ALL children successfully.