This book, written for students preparing to teach young children and for teachers of young children, deals with the application of new directions in sociology--dramaturgic sociology, symbolic interactionism, the inspection of everyday life, and the taken-for-granted daily activities--to the educative process. The young child's classroom is viewed as a social arena. The socialization process in early childhood is examined, and the way children are stigmatized and discredited even early in life is considered. The implications for educating the child to function in global society as well as considerations of face-to-face interactions are drawn from classical sociological theory. Resources and materials are presented in appendices. (Author/KM)