Beginnings and Beyond, Foundations in Early Childhood Education, 7e, is the most comprehensive foundations book on the market. With the blend of a simple approach to learning, and the depth required to practically apply the material, this book will appeal to all levels of students, and teachers. Diversity and development are woven throughout the material and are highlighted by chapter icons within the margin for easy reference. This feature helps the reader to under… More >>
G.S. Morrison? Jo Ann Brewer? Feeney, Christensen, & Moracivik? Watch Out!
This text packs some major punch…quite unexpectantly.
I’ve been waiting for this new edition from Gordon & Brown for four years. The last book was pretty intriguing. It had some very well-written sections on DAP, but this book takes a giant leap forward.
The key to a good early childhood introductory textbook is four-fold: (1) affordable, (2) comprehensive, but…,(3)…succinct, and (4) evidence-based. I think this book makes major improvements in three/four parts over the last edition.
Unfortunately, this book is not affordable compared to G.S. Morrison’s FUNDAMENTALS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION or Brewer’s INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION which are both under 100 bucks. This book is $103.00. Not good for the money-struggling undergrad or vocational student:(
The other three areas are where it soars pretty, surprisingly high.
It’s quite comprehensive, a bit more than Brewer’s text and a lot more than Morrison’s text, especially in the theoretical parts. Morrison, nor Brewer talks about the transactional aspect of constructivism. Feeney et al’s WHO AM I IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN aludes to it, but that’s it. Consequently, BEGINNINGS & BEYOND has new knowledge that these other heavyweights are not pulling.
Compared to Feeney et. al.’s thorough but somewhat drawn out style, this book is as clear as glass. They hit the basics, tell the details, and move on. Sometime’s Feeney’s book overwhelms while Brewer’s and Morrison’s books underwhelm. Gordon & Browne…almost get it just right…almost.
I think that an excellent textbook should integrate research into the content because that is where it comes from. Morrison rarely did this in his book while Brewer and Feeney sometimes too zealously integrated it. Gordon & Browne do it sparingly…only when necessary. That’s a good approach for an intro text.
Do we have a new champion???
Rating: 5 / 5
This book I bought is in great condition. It is helping me with my Early childhood education class im taking in college. It also came with a CD, which helps me perfictly.
Rating: 5 / 5
There are many repeated concepts. I needs some more logical organization to avoid to much reading of the same ideas in different chapters. Some repeated ideas could be substituted for more information related to latest neurological discovering in ECE.
Rating: 3 / 5
My wife finished this class.. She got an A so I guess the book helped too
Rating: 5 / 5
I bought this book for my wife who is taking a course on Childhood Education. Since it’s textbook, it’s very expensive, even a used copy can cost over $100. Unless you are taking a course and must have this book, read something else.
Rating: 4 / 5