Child Development From Birth To Eight A Journey Through The Early Years

Understanding child development is crucial for all early years practitioners and a sound knowledge of children and their development underpins effective practice. The book presents a detailed and in-depth picture of early years development, particularly of developmental processes and interactions. Rather than focusing on a particular topic, it offers a broad overview from a range of sources including: Developmental, evolutionary and cognitive psychology Biology Sensory information Attachment theory Neuroscience Research linking brain function and emotions As well as providing a great insight into the aspects of child development and offering the benefits of a multi-disciplinary approach, the book emphasizes appropriate pedagogical approaches and the implications for adults who work with young children. Child Development from Birth to Eight is essential reading for all early years students and practitioners.

This work aims to support the understanding of those who work with children by providing detailed information about some of the central themes in early development, such as: brain growth and function, the role of the senses, emotion, and aspects of how children learn.

Children are already learning at birth, and they develop and learn at a rapid pace in their early years. This provides a critical foundation for lifelong progress, and the adults who provide for the care and the education of young children bear a great responsibility for their health, development, and learning. Despite the fact that they share the same objective - to nurture young children and secure their future success - the various practitioners who contribute to the care and the education of children from birth through age 8 are not acknowledged as a workforce unified by the common knowledge and competencies needed to do their jobs well. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 explores the science of child development, particularly looking at implications for the professionals who work with children. This report examines the current capacities and practices of the workforce, the settings in which they work, the policies and infrastructure that set qualifications and provide professional learning, and the government agencies and other funders who support and oversee these systems. This book then makes recommendations to improve the quality of professional practice and the practice environment for care and education professionals. These detailed recommendations create a blueprint for action that builds on a unifying foundation of child development and early learning, shared knowledge and competencies for care and education professionals, and principles for effective professional learning. Young children thrive and learn best when they have secure, positive relationships with adults who are knowledgeable about how to support their development and learning and are responsive to their individual progress. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 offers guidance on system changes to improve the quality of professional practice, specific actions to improve professional learning systems and workforce development, and research to continue to build the knowledge base in ways that will directly advance and inform future actions. The recommendations of this book provide an opportunity to improve the quality of the care and the education that children receive, and ultimately improve outcomes for children.

Are you struggling with the complexities of assessment? Demystifying the process of assessment for learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), this book explains in straightforward language how to put principles into practice. Looking at models of assessment, the book draws heavily on examples of real assessments from practice, and the relevant theory is explained in context. Lessons from research are applied to best practice, and issues covered include: - self-assessment and peer assessment - collecting evidence as a basis for making judgements - how to track the child′s development in the six areas of learning - using assessment to inform future planning - summative assessment in the EYFS - involving parents and carers in the assessment process - using assessment to support children with additional needs - moderation Throughout the book there are plenty of practical examples from a range of early years settings, with case studies for the Birth to Five age range. Students, teachers, teaching assistants and those working towards Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) will find this an invaluable guide.

"The authors have written specifically to provide the student of child development with a sound knowledge-base of current theory and research in the field of early growth, development, and learning and its translation into practice in the daily lives of very young children. Time-honored theories of child development are discussed and applied to current knowledge about how children develop and learn. Contemporary theories, such as Cognitive (Core Systems and Neoconstructivism) and Contextual theories (Dynamic Systems and Relationship-Based Theories) are added to this edition to further aid pre-educators with a deeper understanding of the early childhood years, birth through eight. The authors apply theories and the supporting research based on these theories to Early Childhood Education practices in the classroom and with families."--Publisher.

This book aims to encourage early childhood practitioners to provide for young children’s all round well-being.

This accessible and enaging work introduces current and future teachers, child care providers, and others interested in early childhood education to the importance for the early years in children's well-being and success. It summarizes their research on the value of high-quality services for young children, families, and society, showing why early education matters both today and into the future. Emphasizing the need to understand and respect young children's strengths and unique characteristics, the authors offer inspiration for working in the field, as well as addressing the realistic challenges of implementing developmentally appropriate care and education.

With the introduction of the Early Years Foundation Stage, young children's personal, social and emotional development is an area of ever-increasing interest to those working in the field of early childhood. This fully revised third edition of Marion Dowling's best selling book has been updated and expanded to include: - personal ,social and emotional development in children 0-6 years - an update on recent and current national developments which impact on young children's personal development - comprehensive references to the Early Years Foundation Stage - links to Early Years Professional Standards - research on brain development and links to young children's well-being and learning - aspects of work with children from culturally diverse backgrounds - multi-agency working, including Children's Centres, extended schools and communities Easy to read and including new case studies and points for practice this book is essential for students and practitioners.