Education is bound to society, and different educational strategies rise from the society and culture in which people live. This book presents an international perspective on problems and challenges from early education through adult education and highlights teacher education from the point of view of individual cultures and from a cross-cultural perspective. The book contains 22 chapters (by authors representing 12 different countries) organized into 7 sections under the following headings: (1) "Childhood in a Changing Society"; (2) "Children and Education in a Cultural Context"; (3) "Early Education and Care"; (4) "The Views of Children, Parents and Caregivers on Education"; (5) "Children's Health and Wellbeing in Education Context"; (6) "Examples of Implementing Educational Issues in the Context of Different Societies"; and (7) "Challenges for Research-Based Teacher Training." The two chapters in section 1 are: "The Century of the Child, Part II" and "Is It Possible To Improve Tolerance among Elementary School Children?." Section 2 contains five chapters, "Children, Culture and Education,""The Development of the Identity in the Cultural Context,""About Sex-Based Interpretation Frames in Education,""Socialization Attitudes and Practices of Korean Mothers of Young Children," and "An Oral History Project on the Changing Educational Ideas of Teachers in New Zealand." The seven chapters in section 3 are: (1) "Early Childhood Educare"; (2) " Children's Creativity in the Preschool Institutions in Macedonia"; (3) "Quality Science Investigation in the Early Years"; (4) "Early Childhood Arts Games"; (5) "Let's Add R.I.C.E. (Relevant, Intercultural, Childhood Experiences) to Our Curriculum"; (6) "Portfolios as a Means of Self-Assessment in Preschool and Primary School"; and (7) "Conditions for Appropriate Pedagogical Organizing and Performing of Play in the Preschool Institutions in Macedonia." Sections 4, 5, and 6 include three chapters each: "Children, Parents and Caregivers,""How Can We As Parents and Educators Foster Metacognitive Development?,""Physical Punishment and Education in Early Childhood,""Special Needs Children,""The Play of Disabled Children in Early Development,""An Evaluation of Health-Promoting Schools in the Finnish Network,""Futures Thinking,""Early Education in Ireland," and "Formal Schooling for 5 Year Olds in New Zealand." The six chapters in section 7 are "The Teacher as Researcher,""The New Initial Programme for Preschool Teachers in Slovenia,""The DART Mentor Teacher Model,""Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education Teacher Certification,""Situated Learning in Kindergarten Teacher Education," and "Portfolio Assessment: An Early Childhood and Family Studies Department Model." Most chapters contain references. (BC)