The Early Childhood Coaching Handbook Second Edition

The Challenge It Addresses

Early childhood professionals and families face a persistent challenge: how to translate expert knowledge into lasting, meaningful changes in the daily lives of young children. Traditional training models often fall short, leaving practitioners with theoretical understanding but limited ability to empower the adults who care for children day in and day out. The gap between learning and doing remains wide — and children are the ones who lose out.

This handbook directly addresses that gap. It provides a structured, evidence-based coaching framework designed to build the capacity of parents, caregivers, and fellow professionals. Instead of simply telling adults what to do, it teaches them how to think, reflect, and act with greater confidence and skill.

Inside The Early Childhood Coaching Handbook Second Edition: A Full Overview

The Early Childhood Coaching Handbook, Second Edition is a practical guide authored by Dathan D. Rush and M’Lisa L. Shelden, published by Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co. in 2020. The book synthesizes the authors’ extensive experience in supporting adults in young children’s lives, presenting coaching as a core evidence-based practice for early intervention and early childhood special education.

At its heart, the handbook details five characteristics of successful coaching: observation, action, reflection, feedback, and joint planning. It moves beyond abstract theory to offer step-by-step guidance, reproducible tools, and real-world examples that professionals can use immediately in homes, schools, and community settings.

Who Will Benefit Most

This book is essential for any professional whose work involves helping others improve outcomes for young children. Primary audiences include:

• Early intervention specialists and service coordinators
• Early childhood special educators and general educators
• Speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists
• Childcare directors, home visitors, and family support workers
• Graduate students in early childhood education, special education, and related fields

The handbook is equally valuable for program administrators and trainers who want to implement a coaching model across their organization. Families may also find the principles useful for advocating for more collaborative, empowering support services.

Key Takeaways

• The five essential characteristics of effective coaching — observation, action, reflection, feedback, and joint planning — and how to apply each one in practice.
• How to differentiate coaching from other adult interaction strategies such as consultation, teaching, and mentoring, ensuring you use the right approach for each situation.
• Practical strategies for building collaborative partnerships with families and colleagues, fostering trust and shared decision-making.
• Step-by-step guidance on implementing coaching across various settings — from home visits to classroom environments — with reproducible forms and checklists.
• How to measure the effectiveness of your coaching and use data to continuously improve your practice and demonstrate outcomes.

What Sets It Apart

While other books on early childhood professional development may touch on adult learning principles, few offer the comprehensive, practical, and research-grounded framework found here. The Second Edition updates and expands on the original, incorporating the latest evidence on what makes coaching truly effective.

Unlike generic texts on supervision or consultation, Rush and Shelden provide a dedicated coaching model specifically designed for the early childhood field. The book’s strengths include:

• Author expertise: Both authors are nationally recognized leaders in early childhood coaching, with decades of combined experience in research, training, and direct practice.
• Practical tools: The handbook includes reproducible forms, fidelity checklists, and case examples that bridge theory and application seamlessly.
• Comprehensive scope: It covers coaching for families and professionals alike, addressing the full range of early childhood settings and disciplines.
• Evidence-based foundation: Every recommended strategy is grounded in peer-reviewed research, giving readers confidence in the approaches they adopt.
• User-friendly format: The clear organization and accessible writing make it easy to read cover-to-cover or reference specific sections as needed.

Competing resources often lack the specificity or practical focus that early childhood professionals require. This handbook fills that void with authority and clarity.

Author & Publisher Credentials

Dr. Dathan D. Rush, Ed.D., CCC-SLP, and Dr. M’Lisa L. Shelden, PT, Ph.D., are the co-founders and directors of the Family, Infant and Preschool Program (FIPP) in North Carolina, a nationally recognized early intervention program. Their combined expertise spans speech-language pathology and physical therapy, giving them a uniquely interdisciplinary perspective on coaching.

Both authors have published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and have trained thousands of professionals across the United States on coaching practices. Their work has directly shaped state and national early intervention guidelines. Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co. is a highly respected publisher known for its commitment to evidence-based resources in early childhood and special education. This institutional backing reinforces the book’s trustworthiness and practical relevance.

The Bottom Line

For early childhood professionals seeking to move from telling to empowering, this handbook is an indispensable resource. It does not simply describe coaching — it equips you with a replicable system that can transform how you interact with families and colleagues.

The Second Edition’s updates ensure the content remains current with the latest research and best practices. The inclusion of reproducible tools alone saves practitioners countless hours of material development. For graduate students, the book provides a solid theoretical and practical foundation that will serve them throughout their careers.

While the upfront investment may seem significant, the long-term return — in terms of improved child outcomes, stronger family partnerships, and professional satisfaction — is substantial. This is not a book to borrow; it is a reference you will reach for repeatedly.

Add The Early Childhood Coaching Handbook Second Edition to Your Library

You are an early childhood professional committed to making a real difference in the lives of young children and their families. This handbook gives you the proven framework and practical tools to do exactly that —start building your coaching skills today. Order your copy now and join the thousands of practitioners who have transformed their practice with this essential guide from Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.