through the age of three. There is special emphasis on the phenomenological approach. This approach requires that the caregiver adopts a perspective that leads to a more human and responsive understanding of each child. This approach is combined with the scientific methodology allowing the caregiver to achieve a level of improved competence, becoming reflective practitioners. There is careful consideration of cultural differences in the book due to the ever present and increasing diversity of the US population. This allows the caregiver to be fully aware of how culture, beliefs, and traditions can influence the ultimate development of a child. The early chapters describe the philosophy of the book and explain various methods of observation. They also provide a baseline of information on growth and development. Further chapters focus on development in 3 month spans, leading to the full examination of how children grow and change rapidly in all domains: physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and language. Developmental variations and alerts are considered at each level, including health and safety issues as well as potential signs of abuse and neglect. The book includes multiple learning tools including key terms and words of wisdom, as well as an online companion. The reader will benefit fully from this thoughtful reference based in the acknowledgment that all children are competent and powerful learners.

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