Child, Family, and Community: Family-Centered Early Care and Education

by Janet Gonzalez-Mena

Written in an accessible style for all those who work with young children or will, the author asks the reader to think of the child in the context of the family and community. Reorganized and updated, the book continues to examine developmental theory, but now with a greater emphasis on Bronfenbrenner's theory of ecological development, discussed in Chapter 1, and more on the importance of contexts of development woven throughout. The book goes beyond encouraging mere parent involvement to how to develop a true collaboration and working relationship through good communication. It also continues to have strong coverage of cultural diversity and present personal examples and vignettes. The text explores many hot-button issues of the day such as supporting self-esteem, discipline, attachment, coping with separation, teen parents, child-abuse, children with ADHD, shy children, aggressive children, conflict resolution, problem solving, and gender issues. Full of real life examples and personal insights, the book is designed and written for not just teachers, but caregivers, child-care workers, and parents. All readers are expected to reach into their own experience, knowledge, ideas and insights to make sense of the new information in the text in the context of their own lives.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Parenting

384 pages, Paperback

First published April 5, 2008

Reviews

[Lexie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this textbook for my Child, Family, and Community education class. Learned some great things. However, it is slightly outdated and I wish our teacher had chosen a more updated and interactive book.

[Ariel Jensen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this as part of an Early Childhood Education course. It was an easy read & shared some important information. However, there were many heavily biased arguments that I didn’t feel were necessary to the text.

[Hannah]

a bit outdated in some aspects but ultimately a helpful guide to working with families for the prosperity and success of the children in our care

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars (needs updating)

[Margie Potter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read, not your same ole' boring textbook.

[Mills College Library]

649.1 G643c 2009