An Introduction to Early Childhood Education ─ Birth to Age Five

This new text provides the tools and strategies special education teachers and therapists need to work cooperatively and effectively with other professionals. Readers are introduced to the terminology required for successful interaction with parents and providers of children with developmental delays, including the skills to enable parental involvement in a child's education. Included in this text are discussions of how special education professionals can work with day care providers and preschool teachers to familiarize them with attributes associated with a variety of disabilities and early childhood special education services.

Linda Dunlap is a professor of psychology. She has taught psychology and education courses since receiving her Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in 1980. She served as a part-time faculty member at State University of New York at New Paltz, Dutchess Community College, and Ulster Community College in New York from 1980 to 1984. Since 1984, she has served as a full-time faculty member and chair of the psychology department (1984-2005) at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York. In addition, she served as a child development specialist for the Saint Francis Hospital Preschool Program in Poughkeepsie from 1986 to 1994. This program provides services for children 2 to 5 years old who have developmental delays. Dr. Dunlap served as a board member and executive officer for the Dutchess County Child Development Council. She frequently contributes to articles in national newspapers and magazine focusing on child development, teacher education, and parenting issues. She has also served as a consultant for local school districts. In addition, she has written two other textbooks, What All Children Need and Theory and Application,(University Press, 2^nd ed. 2005)and Psychological Testing Across the Lifespan. (Prentice Hall, 2008).