New from WisTech Open: Foundations of Early Childhood Education

WisTech Open is excited to share the release of Foundations of Early Childhood Education, a free, open textbook designed to help students in early childhood education programs build a strong knowledge base in child development, learning theories, and professional practice.

This accessible resource provides learners with the essential concepts, strategies, and reflective tools they need to foster impactful learning experiences for young children.

🌱 Why this textbook matters

Foundations of Early Childhood Education equips students to:

• Understand developmental milestones and the holistic needs of young learners
• Apply learning theories to design effective, play-based educational activities
• Create inclusive environments that support diverse learners and communities
• Guide intentional instruction and assessment in early childhood settings
• Navigate ethics, safety, and professional responsibilities in early care
• Reflect on practice and collaborate with families and community partners

By combining theory with real-world examples, this book prepares students to confidently support developmentally appropriate and inclusive practices.

👩‍🎓 Who it’s for

This resource is ideal for:

• Students pursuing coursework in early childhood education
• High school and dual-credit learners exploring education careers
• Career changers or paraprofessionals entering the early learning workforce
• Faculty and trainers seeking adaptable, open teaching materials
• Early care professionals focused on developmentally grounded strategies

📘 What’s inside

• Child development and learning theories
• Play-based and inquiry-driven learning approaches
• Inclusive, culturally sustaining practices
• Instructional strategies and classroom design
• Assessment, observation, and documentation
• Ethics, professionalism, and collaboration with families
• Reflection prompts, case studies, and practice activities

🔓 Open, flexible, and free

Foundations of Early Childhood Education is published by WisTech Open and:

• Is completely free for students, educators, and professionals
• Licensed openly (CC BY 4.0) for adaptation and reuse
• Works in online, hybrid, and in-person learning settings
• Mobile-friendly, accessible, and LMS-ready

🚀 Explore or adopt the book today

Start reading here:
👉 https://wtcs.pressbooks.pub/foundationsofece/

Help students gain the foundational knowledge, confidence, and inclusivity they need to thrive as early childhood educators—with Foundations of Early Childhood Education from WisTech Open.

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