Foundations And Change In Early Childhood Education

Sidebars - designed to extend students' understanding of the themes of the text Enrichment Activities - can be used either as in class or as out of class projects For Further Reading and Professional Development Resources - provide resources for learning more about a particular topic Self-Assessment - designed to help you assess students' learning from the chapter

Strong Foundations addresses policy requirements from the Early Years Learning Framework, the National Quality Standard and Quality Improvement Plans, highlighting links between research and practice, and making connections to the five EYLF Learning Outcomes. The book showcases evidence from Australian and international research.

Foundations and Best Practices in Early Childhood Education, 3/e presents a broad exploration of the scope, roles, and practices of working with and for children and families that's ideal for both the beginning educator, as well as for those with experience teaching young children who are working to further their education. Toward the goal of helping educators make connections between beliefs and philosophies and practice, it includes stories or extended vignettes from a variety of classrooms that highlight how teachers and programs are integrating guiding principles and beliefs into applied practice. A resource for those beginning or continuing a reflective journey on the evolving path of defining and reshaping an educator's own practice with children and families, it encourages educators to go forth and find a voice that will be used to advocate on behalf of all children and families. Now also available as a Pearson Video-Enhanced eText, this new edition reflects recent changes in early care and education practice based on legislative and policy changes, as well as the latest research on effective practice. Included are contextualized videos, Learning Outcomes, streamlined summaries, additional charts and graphic features, coverage of evidence-based practice and Common Core State Standards, and some important content changes that bring the material up-to-date and in step with today's latest information in the field.

Featuring both research findings and practical recommendations, this book presents an innovative framework for nurturing leadership in the care and education of young children. Douglass calls for a paradigm shift in thinking that challenges many long-held stereotypes about the early care and education workforce's capacity to lead change.

In 2000, the Millennium Development Goals set out targets aimed at creating a safer, more prosperous, and more equitable world. If these goals were to be achieved, children’s lives would indeed be transformed. In this collection, achievements against these targets are identified, with each contributor examining the progress made in early years provision in Australia, China, England, Greece, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, and Sweden. They highlight the priorities and agendas of their respective governments, and focus on the trends and issues which are particularly relevant to each situation, thereby revealing the social and educational inequalities that persist across countries. A common theme running through this volume concerns the political tensions that arise when governments and educators hold fundamentally different views about the nature and purpose of early years education and the needs of children and families. It is clear that although the past two decades have seen many changes in attitude towards the importance of the early years of life; politically, economically, and environmentally, much still remains to be done if the Millennium Development Goals for young children and their families are to be fully met. Despite this, this volume demonstrates that those who work in this area continue to experience a deep concern for the well-being of young children, which transcends cultures, frontiers, and political and sectarian divides. This book was originally published as a special issue of the International Journal of Early Years Education.

This new edition of Cathy Nutbrown′s much loved book explains the key ideas and issues in Early Childhood clearly and concisely, keeping students up-to-date with the latest developments in the field. There are brand new entries on: - Attachment - Babies′ learning and development - Children′s Centres - Citizenship - Digital Technologies - Early Years Foundation Stage - Early Years Professional Status - Neuroscience - Sexualities The rest of the book has also been thoroughly updated and revised, and includes coverage of heuristic play, Early Literacy Development and Parental Involvement. The book offers starting points which provide a clear focus, further reading and discussion of research on thirty-five key topics. It is a must for students following courses in early childhood education and care. Professor Cathy Nutbrown directs and teaches on Masters and Doctoral programmes in Early Childhood Education at the University of Sheffield.

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.

'This text will be an invaluable addition to the reading of students and tutors alike. It has been written thoughtfully for students embarking on university courses that study aspects of early childhood education. The introductory chapters give the reader a sense of the thinking and reflection that is helpful for them at the beginning of their studies and a clear focus on the rights of our youngest children roots the text in a sound pedagogical frame. The later chapters broaden the argument and feel very relevant to the current context in their explorations of the policy and practice of EYFS. I would strongly recommend this text.' -Jo Albin-Clark, Senior Lecturer in Early Years Education, Edge Hill University This book introduces all the most important aspects of early years care and education, and will help you develop the key skills needed to study at degree level. Each chapter introduces major concepts and theories which allow you to explore the foundations of key early childhood issues and apply them in practice. Topics include: Children’s rights The Early Years curriculum How children learn and develop Health and well-being As well as looking at important aspects of study such as: How to search primary sources, such as policy documents and journals How to use your personal experience in studying How to develop critical reading and writing skills With specific learning features designed for different levels of study, this book will be invaluable to students studying at levels 4 and 5 of early childhood degrees and foundation degrees, with features designed to support students as they make the transition to honours level study. Digital resources for extra support! Check out the companion website for additional material including: interactive glossary flashcards journal tasks web links to more handy online resources