The View from the Little Chair in the Corner : Improving Teacher Practice and Early Childhood Learning (Wisdom from an Experienced Classroom Observer)

A book about what it takes to be an exceptional early childhood teacher. It examines various classroom scenarios and describes how teaching was done well or how it could be done better. It includes: an overview of the stages of early childhood development; and, descriptions of high-quality early childhood education settings and materials.

This is a down-to-earth, heart-to-heart book about what it takes to be an exceptional early childhood teacher. The author uses her experience as a classroom observer and a developmental psychologist to create a rationale for best practice - the reasoning behind the best (worst, and average) classroom practice. Cindy Rzasa Bess examines a variety of classroom scenarios and describes how teaching was done well or how it could be done better. She clearly illustrates how simple changes and heart-felt efforts can have outstanding results. This informative book will appeal to readers on a personal level and instill in them the need to fully understand their important roles in a child''s life. It contains: a brief overview of the stages of early childhood development; detailed descriptions of high-quality early childhood education settings and materials; strategies for engaging children in center-based learning; descriptions of effective communications styles and teaching approaches; and, examples of the importance of humor when teaching young children.