DOUBLE TAP TO ZOOM WITH PHONE OR TABLET Introduction  involves social, emotional, and personality development. The cognitive domain involves all the mental processes that are used for thinking, lan- guage, and acquiring knowledge. The physical domain involves a child’s physical growth and motor skills. The theorists did not necessarily divide their work into these categories, yet each theorist addressed specific com- ponents of value for each developmental domain. Looking at the domains in a holistic way offers a broader understanding of child development: every aspect of a child’s development is related to all three domains as they inter- act with and influence one another. Parts 2, 3, and 4 each begin with an overview of the developmental domain (social-emotional, cognitive, and physical). The overview estab- lishes the fundamental basics of the domain and its critical role in children’s development. The discussion of each theory follows a specific order: first we define the developmental specifics of the theory being discussed, which is followed by a story of real child development, then an analysis of that story through the theorist’s lens. The children in the stories attend Crystal’s Creative Kids, a home-based program owned and operated by Crystal and Jason Devlin. These stories and the photographs share their experiences of friendship, conflict, negotiation, and learning in their relationships with the children in their thoughtful and responsive program. We wrote the sto- ries based on conversations with Crystal and her observational notes and photographs. The discussion of each theory concludes with action pages that provide helpful ideas to guide you in your work with children and put the theories into practice. Parts 2, 3, and 4 each end with a conclusion of the developmental domain and an example story to further your analytical skills. The example stories are designed to help you practice analyzing children’s play based on theory. Throughout each part of the text, the foundation has been laid for you about theory and developmental domain, and the connection between story and theory has been made visible. The concluding exercise is an opportunity to reflect and further your thinking by putting theory into prac- tice and articulating the connection between the two. Part 5: A Professional Learning Story The final chapter chronicles Crystal’s growth as an early childhood educa- tor. Crystal began her educational journey while in college, working full- time and embracing her roles as a mother and wife. As she gained a deep understanding about child development theoretical foundations, Crystal was able to facilitate children’s growth in a significant way. We find her COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL   7