This book offers practical and effective strategies for stress management for both early childhood staff and the children in their care. Here, the author uncovers valuable insights into the causes of stress and outlines a range of activities to counteract it. Early childhood practitioners know that theirs is both a stressful and rewarding profession. This is why "Stress in Early Childhood" is of such great value to all those in the early childhood field. Reducing the stress opens up more opportunities for the positive experiences--for both children and the adults who care for them. The book is divided into four parts. Part 1, Introduction, introduces the first two chapters: (1) What Is Stress?; and (2) What Is the Stress Response? Part 2, Stress and Children, continues with: (3) What Are Some of the Causes of Stress for Young Children?; (4) How Do Children Experience Stress?; (5) The Long-Term Effects of Stress; (6) The Spiritual Child; (7) Transforming Education through Relaxation and Reflection with Children; (8) Educating Children for the 21st Century; (9) The Courage to Transform; (10) Making Relaxation Contagious; and (11) Relaxation for Children with Special Needs. Part 3, Stress in Carers of Young Children, follows with: (12) Developing a Balance in Life; (13) Stress Is a Problem for Organisations; (14) Signs and Symptoms of Stress in Early Childhood Practitioners; (15) Unproductive Habits; (16) Relaxation Is the Opposite of Stress; (17) Developing a Stress Management Plan; (18) Communication Skills; (19) Time Management; (20) The Environment; (21) Breathing Techniques; (22) Exercise; (23) Relaxation; (24) Personal Empowerment Practices; and (25) Tips for Crises and the Unexpected in the Early Childhood Day. Part 4, is devoted to references. [This publication was produced by Early Childhood Australia, formerly the Australian Early Childhood Association.]