Start your journey to make a difference in the lives of young children and their families with Introduction to Early Childhood Education, Ninth Edition. This text provides current and future educators with a highly readable, comprehensive overview of the field. The underlying philosophy of the book is that early childhood educators' most important task is to connect with young children and provide a program that supports their learning and development. With intentional weaving of the aims of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging throughout, authors Melissa M. Burnham and Eva L. Essa provide valuable insight by strategically dividing the book into six sections that answer the "What, Who, Why, Where, and How" of early childhood education. Aligning with the latest NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) position statements, including the Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators, this supportive text provides students with the skills, theories, and practices needed to succeed and thrive as early childhood educators.