Designed for teachers, students, caregivers, and health professionals who work with children from birth to age 8, this book provides a review of recent research and theories of development and learning in the early childhood years, with an emphasis on implications for effective teaching. Where appropriate, the book takes an Australian perspective, particularly in discussions about families, social competence, and socialization. The nine chapters are as follows: (1) "Development, Learning and Teaching in the Early Years: A Cognitive Perspective" (Gillian Boulton-Lewis); (2) "The Origins of Thinking: Perception and Cognition in Early Childhood" (Di Catherwood); (3) "Memory, Cognition, Learning, and Teaching from Three to Eight Years" (Gillian Boulton-Lewis); (4) "Language Acquisition" (Judith Bowey); (5) "Motor Development and Learning in Children" (Carolyn O'Brien); (6) "Artistic Development and Learning: An Integration of Processes for Young Children" (Susan Wright); (7) "Social Development: Personal Identity and Social Competence" (Kym Irving); (8) "Socialization and Family Relationships" (Donna Berthelsen); and (9) "The 'Whole Child': Links among Areas of Development" (Di Catherwood). Each chapter includes a list of references. (MDM)