Yes, "Child Development for Early Years - Students and Practitioners" by Sally Neaum is a widely used and well-regarded textbook for those studying or working in the field of early childhood development. It is known for its:

• Accessibility: Written in a clear and concise style, making it easy to understand even for those with no prior knowledge of child development.
• Comprehensiveness: Covers all the major areas of child development, from physical and cognitive development to social and emotional development.
• Relevance: Links theory to practice, providing practical tips and advice for supporting children's learning and development.
• Up-to-date: Regularly updated to reflect the latest research and best practices in early childhood education.

Here are some other highly-rated textbooks on child development for early years students and practitioners:

• Understanding Child Development (3rd Edition) by Claudia U. Phipps, Marilyn B. Marple, and Susan L. Westling

• The Developing Child (13th Edition) by Kathleen Stassen Berger

  Opens in a new windowstore.macmillanlearning.com

  Developing Child (13th Edition) by Kathleen Stassen Berger

• Essentials of Child Development (5th Edition) by Celia Anita St John

• Child Development Theories and Practices (8th Edition) by Pamela J. S. Asquith

Ultimately, the best textbook for you will depend on your individual needs and learning preferences. Consider factors such as your level of experience, preferred learning style, and the specific areas of child development you are most interested in.

You may find USAID Advancing Nutrition's Ages and Stages package useful. It  includes four age-specific modules that provide information, at each age/stage, on how children grow and develop, what their feeding and care needs are, and the challenges caregivers face providing optimal care. Each module also provides example activities that programs can do to support targeted nutrition and responsive care and early learning activities at each age/stage.

Best wishes,

John