The Early Years Matter: Education, Care, and the Well-Being of Children, Birth to 8

How can early childhood educators navigate the evolving challenges of care and education in today’s world?

The early years, from birth to age 8, are the most critical period for building a person’s lifelong health, learning, and behavior. In this fully revised second edition of The Early Years Matter, consultants Marilou Hyson and Heather Tomlinson provide an evidence-based, optimistic road map for navigating the complexities of modern early childhood care and education. This book summarizes up-to-date research on the value of high-quality services for young children and families, offering practical tools for reflection, dialogue, and action.

As the field faces seismic shifts, this new edition addresses the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of childhood anxiety and trauma, immigrant children’s safety and security, and the importance of equity in all areas of child and family life.

New for the Second Edition:

• Contemporary Contextual Updates: Covers the ongoing impact of the pandemic, increased racial and ethnic diversity in the U.S., and the ongoing child care availability and quality crisis.
• Holistic Development Focus: Provides new insights into the role of childhood trauma and anxiety on development, offering tools for educators to support children’s well-being.
• Enhanced Multimedia Learning: Both print and e-books include multiple links to key online resources. New and updated Professional Profiles now include access to brief video interviews with early childhood leaders who discuss their career paths and perceptions of issues in the field.
• Toolkit for Using This Book With Others: Access to a new, free, downloadable toolkit featuring suggestions for faculty and professional development providers of in-person or online classes; a “Making Connections” section showing alignment with NAEYC Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) standards and guidelines; and links to additional online resources relevant to each chapter.
• Relatable Case Studies: Each chapter begins with updated introductory vignettes typically describing a specific child, family, and early childhood professional, illustrating key themes that are discussed in the chapter.
• Interactive Professional Development Activities: Includes suggestions for further reading, reflection or action steps, as well as questions designed to spark dialogue in both college courses and professional development workshops.

• Publication date: 23 October 2026
• Page count: 248
• Publisher: Teachers' College Press
• Format: Hardback
• ISBN-13: 9780807784488