In this much-needed text, the author provides dilemma-based teaching cases that teachers and early childhood leaders can analyze and discuss to build problem-solving and decision-making skills. Readers will reflect on challenges they are likely to experience in practice, addressing issues such as linguistically and culturally isolated children, children refusing to share with others, high-energy children struggling to develop self-regulation and executive function, and children experiencing trauma. They will also examine issues related to inadequate resources and teacher compensation. Each case portrays early childhood practitioners as they transform challenging scenarios into opportunities for the growth of social and emotional skills. This one-of-a-kind resource can be used for professional development, for courses that address the emotional and social development of young children, and with students beginning their supervised field experience to help bridge their research and practice. This book features: (1) original teaching cases that combine research, theory, and the experiences of highly skilled teachers and leaders; (2) compelling narratives that encourage students to generate and share "inner portfolios" of emotionally intelligent strategies; (3) discussion questions for each case designed to stimulate analytic and critical reasoning; (4) "Resources for Delving Deeper" for both research and best practice program guidance; and (5) a case-based professional development approach that instructors can use to balance both didactic presentations and supervised field experiences. (Foreword by Edward F. Zigler.) [This book was written with the assistance of Teresa Gonczy O'Rourke and Ed Greene.]