Gaye Gronlund, MA, is an early childhood consultant and trains educators, administrators, and policy makers across the country. She is a former preschool, kindergarten, and primary teacher of both regular and special education. Gaye holds a master's degree in adult learning and early childhood education. She is the author of Saving Play, Focused Observations, Early Learning Standards and Staff Development, and Developmentally Appropriate Play.

Marlyn James was the early childhood program director and the education department chair at Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell, Montana. With more than 30 years in the early childhood field, Marlyn worked as a preschool teacher and center director and with infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities. Marlyn presented workshops at the local, state, and national levels. She held a master's degree in human development from Pacific Oaks College.