Inclusive Pedagogies For Early Childhood Education

This essential textbook explores inclusive pedagogies by presenting theoretical viewpoints and research on everyday practices in early childhood education that affirm diversity in relation to learning, disability and culture. The authors consider the pedagogical practices involved in supporting educational inclusion for young children. The book focuses on key issues in relation to inclusive pedagogy including young children’s learning subjectivities, socio-material realities of learning in early childhood contexts, and perspective-taking of children and adults in relation to learning and difference. The book draws together findings from experts who are employing innovative methods for research in early childhood education, including conversation analysis, phenomenological enquiry and participant ethnography, in order to create new knowledge and understanding about how young children are and feel themselves to be included. This textbook will be essential reading for students and practitioners alike. The book is particularly pertinent for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying early years as well as courses which focus on education or teaching or inclusion.

' This is a book for those who want to find more, to broaden their own perceptions and understanding of inclusion and to base their own practice on research, and as such would interest and inform any practitioner from managers to students.'- Early Years Update 'This text is a 'must buy' for anyone interested in inclusive education in the early years... A particular strength of the book is the way in which the everyday experiences of children, parents and practitioners are discussed in relation to educational theory... Perhaps the greatest strength of the book though, lies in the way that ideas are based on research findings are presented so clearly. It will almost certainly be nominated for this year's NASEN/TES academic book award and deservedly so' - SENCO Update 'Refreshingly, in this book, inclusion is not about a narrow group of students defined as 'special' but about increasing the participation of everybody involved in early years settings. It is about reducing the exclusion of all children, their families and communities. It is also about the practitioners who work with them, whose involvement in decisions in their own workplace is critical if they are to support the participation of children. It is rich with experience, from the UK and internationally, building up an understanding of education from stories of encounters with children and their families. This book will help readers to escape from the confines of considering children, and the difficulties they encounter, through the constricting and distorting lens of special educational needs' - Tony Booth, Professor of Inclusive and International Education Canterbury Christ Church University 'Fascinating reading ... bound to inform discussions and encourage early years practicioners to develop and reflect on their own practices ... I will be recommending this book to colleagues and adding it to my essential reading list for students' - Nursery World 'A very helpful book which both challenges and informs... [It] brings together important evidence to help us find a positive way forward' - Early Education 'Well-written and accessible... The book is rich with the reported experiences and ideas of educators and provides clear pointers for further research and discussion. It will serve as an excellent stimulus for educators in any early-years setting who are seeking to develop their own agreed philosophy and inclusive practices' - Support For Learning By identifying and discussing key research studies on inclusion in the early years, and drawing on studies of practitioners’ views and experiences of working inclusively, this insightful text shows how practices in a range of early years settings can be influenced by the attitudes and responses of adults in those settings. The authors argue for a broad definition of inclusion, not limited to those with learning difficulties or impairment, but addressing factors affecting all members of the learning community. Key factors which can make inclusion successful are highlighted, including curriculum and pedagogy, professional development and work with parents. The book shows how working inclusively involves all members of the setting community, and presents a number of original stories (generated from a recent research project carried out by the authors) of how the lives of practitioners, parents and children have been affected by inclusive and non- inclusive practices. This is an essential text for all early years students, practitioners and researchers who want to become familiar with current research into inclusion and to develop ways of drawing on such studies to inform and develop their own inclusive practices.

While activists, politicians and policy-makers grapple with the big picture, teachers and learners are making inclusion happen in their day-to-day lives. This unique text shows the importance and reality of curriculum and pedagogy in developing inclusive practice in a range of settings. Bringing together an exemplary collection of key articles, this Reader provides ways of thinking about inclusive curricula and pedagogy as starting points for possible action, as wel as: * illustrating how teachers can get education right or wrong for diverse learners depending on the pedagogical decisions they make; * discussing the role of the ordinary, special and inclusive pedagogy; * showing examples of teaching that elicits genuine participation and active learning; * providing case studies, and lessons from learners about what makes good teaching for them. Curriculum and Pedagogy in Inclusive Education will be inspirational reading for anyone with an interest in making inclusion happen.

Diversity can be a rich source of possibility and opportunity in early childhood education. Appreciating that learning and development are shaped by culture and context, history and values, the diversity of cases found in this volume provide a useful tension in considering one’s own practices, policies and beliefs. Pedagogies for Diverse Contexts draws on the knowledge and professional experiences of actors from a wide range of countries and cultures. For some, early childhood’s dominant narratives have been influential, while others push back against universalistic orientations and the power of a neoliberal hegemonic agenda. Written to provoke, to stimulate and to extend thinking, these chapters provide insights and examples relevant not only for front-line practice and programme development, but for education, assessment, research and policy development. The twelve chapters are divided into four key sections which reflect major influences on practice and pedagogy: Being alongside children Those who educate Embedding families and communities Working with systems Considering varied international practices, this key text will enhance understanding, support self-directed learning, and provoke thinking at both graduate and postgraduate levels, particularly in the field of early childhood education and care.

Intentional leadership can unite, motivate and empower all educators to work towards the common goal of creating a truly inclusive culture in which all children, with or without disabilities, are supported and enabled to fully participate in every aspect of daily life and learning. This book recognises diverse manifestations of special educational needs, from communication difficulties and delays in learning, to social and physical disabilities, and considers the ways in which these needs might be embraced within inclusive mainstream settings. Key to this is robust and purposeful leadership that removes barriers to learning, changes existing attitudes and values, motivates staff and foregrounds holistic learning opportunities and experiences. Chapters draw on theoretical models, reflect on international and national policies, and consider topics including: the image of the child physical, aesthetic and temporal aspects of the learning environment relational pedagogy long-, medium- and short-term planning the role of assessment collaborative working with parents, families and other professionals. In-depth descriptions of behaviours and leadership strategies, practice scenarios and activities support the reader’s understanding. Intentional Leadership for Effective Inclusion in Early Childhood Education and Care is a comprehensive guide for students, teachers and practitioners involved in Early Childhood Education and Care, Social Care and Early Intervention programmes.

This volume examines how to work with young children who have disabilities within typical preschool and day care settings. The authors present strategies for creating a classroom where all children can learn. Cultural and linguistic diversity is discussed throughout, and stories based on real classroom scenarios provide context for each chapter's content. "Collaboration" is the topic emphasized in this text. The author provides information about how to collaborate and communicate with families and other professionals in early childhood educational settings.

Recognizing the various ecological contexts that support children’s development while amplifying voices from across the globe, this book challenges narrow interpretations of quality and best practice. Each author offers a unique perspective on issues germane to the field of early childhood education: perceptions of children, curriculum, teacher education, and play-based learning. An innovative, timely, and much-needed contribution, this book represents an inclusive collection of theoretical and cultural knowledge, as well as research. Such a diverse multicentric lens opens new intellectual pathways for authentic, reciprocal knowledge exchange, while ensuring that a reimagining of early childhood education remains at the core of our teaching practice, scholarship, and activism. This book invites everyone to imagine, to dare to believe, to hope, and to act—in the interests of children, in the interests of communities and families, and in the moral precepts of equity, inclusion and justice.

"Inclusive education has emerged internationally over the past thirty years as a way of developing democratic citizenship. Core to inclusive principles are that improved equity in education can only be achieved by eliminating the economic, cultural and physical barriers that currently impede learning for particular students.To strengthen inclusive practice to this end inexorably requires that we attempt to make sense of it in its current form: to examine how it is enacted in educational settings from early childhood, schools, and communities and further and higher education; to contemplate the restrictions that it might inadvertently create; and to consider its effects on members of educational communities.Contributions to this edited collection represent diverse perspectives, yet share a commitment to challenging existing forms of educational marginalisation through policy, practice, theory and pedagogy. The chapters emerged from discussions at the inaugural Inclusive Education Summit that was held at Victoria University, Australia in 2015. They present research that was conducted in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Spain and the UK—illustrating transnational interests and diverse approaches to practice.Presented in four sections—provocations, pushing boundaries, diverse voices, and reflections, the chapters explore everyday practice across a range of contexts: from educating culturally and linguistically diverse, refugee, and/or socially and economically disadvantaged students, to issues of diversity brought about by and through gender, giftedness and disability. The book will appeal to academics, students and practitioners in disciplines including: education, sociology, social work, social policy, early childhood, disability studies, and youth studies."