Alice Whiren has taught kindergarten and preschool children, directed a center for children that serves a culturally and economically diverse population, and worked with families and children having special needs. Dr. Whiren has been a consultant to public schools and Head Start, and has taught at Michigan State University in child development and early education. Her publications are about social development and early childhood education, particularly in the area of play. Michelle Rupiper is an Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She has served as a classroom teacher for infants through school-aged children as well as directed community-based programs during her career. She frequently provides professional development and consults with early childhood programs on a variety of topics. She has been active in the state and regional affiliates of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and has served on the NAEYC Affiliate Council and the National Coalition for Campus Children's Centers (NCCCC). Marjorie Kostelnik is dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. She entered the field of early childhood as a Head Start teacher before receiving her doctorate from the Pennsylvania State University. She was on the faculty at Michigan State University for 22 years, serving as director of the Child Development Laboratories, then as chair of the Department of Family and Child Ecology. Dr. Kostelnik has served as vice president of NAEYC, and was recently appointed to the National Academies of Science Institute of Medicine Committee to Study the Science of Children Birth to Age 8. Currently, she serves on the Dimensions Board (nature education for children), the Educare Board of Lincoln (infants, toddler, and preschool child care), and the City of Lincoln Prosper Committee for Early Education. Anne K. Soderman works internationally with schools in the area of early literacy and mathematics, assessment, and second language acquisition. Her research has been centered on gender differences as they relate to emerging literacy, particularly in children coming from diverse populations. Other recently co-authored publications include CREATING LITERACY-RICH PRESCHOOLS AND KINDERGARTENS and SCAFFOLDING EMERGENT LITERACY.