This article focuses on the challenges confronted by early childhood educators as they seek to offer developmentally effective programs and services for all children, especially those who live in urban settings characterized by cultural diversity. To meet the challenges, the programs that prepare these educators must take account of important research findings (e.g., children under age 6 are more likely to be poor than any other age group of Americans). These programs also need to develop practical strategies to ensure that teachers are prepared to work with children from a range of cultural backgrounds (e.g., infuse interdisciplinary perspectives with a focus on cultural diversity throughout professional preparation programs).
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