GUIDING YOUNG CHILDREN is written for early childhood educators and others responsible for working with and guiding young children in daily activities. The eighth edition of this popular book takes a developmental approach--stressing the need to consider the child's developmental level when planning activities. It offers concrete suggestions on how to guide children as they are involved in specific activities, such as playing, eating, napping, etc. The authors strive to teach educators and caregivers to manage the environment so that children can manage themselves and thus gain independence. 

The important issue of inclusion is integrated into each chapter. The coverage of managing challenging behaviors has been expanded.  The authors continue to take a positive behavior approach and show how caregivers can have a positive impact on all children and their self-esteem by building a warm, supportive relationship, setting realistic expectations, and expressing confidence in the children’s ability to make good choices.

The book includes many suggestions for application assignments that will help the reader get to know individual children.  The authors hope to encourage readers to think about the origins of their own values and beliefs as they encounter different ideas among colleagues and the families of children in their care.