The first edition of this indispensable book set the standard for high-quality intervention and prevention programs in early childhood practice. Since its publication, many new forces have impacted the landscape of early childhood education, presenting both great opportunities and great risks for today's emotionally fragile young children. Once again making complex psychological concepts available to classroom teachers, this thorough revision: incorporates important understandings gained since the tragic events of 9/11; addresses many of the challenging issues that confront educators in the current high-pressure climate focused on academic performance; includes recent scientific research that supports the concepts underlying high-quality intervention and prevention in early childhood practice - concepts that were the basis for the first edition of this book; and provides an essential framework to help teachers understand the emotional lives of the young children they serve.