Collected in this textbook are approximately 30 brief articles and related materials concerning the traits, development, nurturing, and education of children from infancy through early childhood. While varied, material in each of the six sections generally centers on (1) characteristics, traits, and developmental issues in infancy, preschool and primary school years; and (2) the history of early childhood education, including current educational practices, types of programs, theory and issues considered relevant to early childhood education in the 1980s. Among the specific topics addressed in the articles are the ecology of infant day care, individuality, Piagetian theory, socialization, effective communication with children, positive self-concept, cognitive growth, the basics of early childhood education programs and curricula, information-gathering techniques, children's humor, readiness for learning, personal traits of educationally successful black children, brain training, creativity, conditions for teacher development, and diet and school food service programs. In addition to these numerous short articles, the book contains several charts: the Apgar Scoring Chart, a chart of infant reflexes, a chart of behavioral characteristics of children from infancy through the third year, and a chart of the development of physical coordination and language from 4 to 39 months. Course materials are appended. (RH)