"Frameworks for Learning and Development explores children's development, and the skills and philosophies needed to design programs for individual children and groups. Chapters cover the following topics: Program Design - examines a variety of educational philosophies, curriculum approaches and frameworks as a basis for decision making. Looks at planning, implementing and evaluating developmental programs, and in some cases taking responsibility for managing or guiding others in planning a program. Personal philosophies are explored; Observe and Plan for Learning - looks at a range of strategies for observing and documenting children's learning, and using individual observations to plan developmental programs. Also addresses collaborating with others in planning; The Social, Feeling Child - explores how to support children's developing self esteem and self-concept, independence and autonomy, and decision making skills. Looks at creating opportunities for children to express their feelings, needs and ideas, and providing social interactions for children, and how to develop a program to manage behaviour that is of concern; Language Development - looks at influences, theories and stages of language development, identifying and supporting children with language delays and for ESL students, literacy development; Cognitive Development - examines the development of thinking skills from birth to 8 years, how to support the development of cognitive skills and apply professional knowledge to provide appropriate, stimulating environments and experiences; Additional needs - looks at a range of additional needs associated with the concepts of 'inclusion' and 'equity of access', factors including developmental alerts that may indicate an additional need, strategies for working with parents and other professionals and supporting carers working with children who have additional needs." - back cover.