Handbook of Early Childhood Development Programs, Practices, and Policies

by Elizabeth Votruba-Drzal (Editor), Eric Dearing (Editor)

A definitive reference on the thriving interdisciplinary field of applied early childhood development

The cumulative scientific knowledge on early childhood is greater than at any other point across the life span, and the formative role of early experience is well-recognized. This handbook synthesizes scientifically rigorous research from across disciplines in order to identify strategies that are most effective for promoting early childhood development. It begins with child and family approaches, moves to school and community strategies, and concludes with a discussion of the implications of broader social policies for early childhood health and development.

About the Author
Elizabeth Votruba-Drzal, PhD, is Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Psychology. Her main areas of research are poverty, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic disadvantage, urbanicity, early childhood education, and immigrant children.

Eric Dearing, PhD, is a Professor with the Boston College Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology. His main areas of interest/expertise are the roles of family, early child care, school, and community for promoting cognitive, language, and social-emotional development of economically and socially disadvantaged children.