'The authors who have contributed to this book bring a wealth of expertise and a wide range of research findings. This gives the reader the opportunity to link theory with practice in a helpful and illuminating way' - Early Years Update Praise for the first edition: `...represents an enormously rich body of research and expertise focused on the objective of taking into account the social, historical and cultural dimensions of everyday activities in order to better understand children. ...will undoubtedly be of interest and value to anyone with a similar concern' - Early Years Journal `...an international state-of-the-art early childhood education publication that sets out research-based evidence and critically links this with theory and practice. It is pitched at the graduate level and beyond. Readers will gain more from the book if they have a thorough base understanding of relevant learning and social-cultural theories and an open-mind to appreciate the perspectives presented in this book' - Childforum, New Zealand This fully revised and up-to-date edition examines sociocultural and historical approaches to current theories of learning in early childhood education. It sets out research-based evidence linking theory and practice in early childhood settings. Written by leading figures in the field, the book extends a strong and traditional theme - the importance of the child's perspective and respect for each child's individual background. Within the context of early years settings, the book is structured around four overall themes: - the dynamics of learning and teaching - the nature of knowledge - assessment - evaluation and quality. This book is essential reading for undergraduate and advanced courses in early childhood studies.
Itinerant special educators can be much more than ""tutors"" for young children with special needs. They can transform whole classrooms and help inclusion flourish. This is the book that every itinerant early childhood special educator has been waiting for, the first one that takes the guesswork out of their jobs.
'This book is a very useful resource for setting leaders undertaking advanced study, such as Early Years Professional Status and the National Professional Qualification in Integrated Centre Leadership...[I]t is also an interesting and up-to-date reference tool for qualified managers and leaders of early years settings, large and small, in all sectors' - Early Years Update 'Through discussion points and case studies, the authors explore the key skills and techniques necessary to effectively lead and manage an early years setting - Nursery Education Plus, as part of their 'Ten of the Best early years professional books' feature. `This book will make a relevant and helpful contribution in enabling practitioners to explore and understand the different ways in which they can lead and manage across a diverse range of settings and at different levels. Through helpful discussion points and case studies, the book will encourage practitioners to consider both theory and practice, including value based practice and the skills required for working within a new multi-disciplinary environment. A welcome and accessible text for early years practitioners facing the challenges and demands of this new agenda' - Professor Linda Miller, Professor of Early Years, The Open University Firmly grounded in practice, this book puts children and families at the centre of good early years leadership. There is now considerable emphasis on leadership skills in this sector, as the workforce becomes increasingly professionalized. The following are considered: - changes and developments within the early years sector - the impact of good leadership on children and their families - effective practice in a variety of settings, including Children's Centres - value-based leadership, and inspirational leadership - meeting the challenges - managing change - inter-agency and multi-disciplinary working - working with families and parent groups. Useful features such as Activities for Continuing Professional Development, Questions for Reflection and Pictures of Practice appear throughout the book. Those studying for Foundation Degrees, leaders undertaking the National Professional Qualification for Integrated Centre Leadership (NPQICL), those undertaking the management modules for Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) and anyone studying Childhood and Early Childhood will find this book an invaluable aid.
'This book is a very useful resource for setting leaders undertaking advanced study, such as Early Years Professional Status and the National Professional Qualification in Integrated Centre Leadership...[I]t is also an interesting and up-to-date reference tool for qualified managers and leaders of early years settings, large and small, in all sectors' - Early Years Update 'Through discussion points and case studies, the authors explore the key skills and techniques necessary to effectively lead and manage an early years setting - Nursery Education Plus, as part of their 'Ten of the Best early years professional books' feature. `This book will make a relevant and helpful contribution in enabling practitioners to explore and understand the different ways in which they can lead and manage across a diverse range of settings and at different levels. Through helpful discussion points and case studies, the book will encourage practitioners to consider both theory and practice, including value based practice and the skills required for working within a new multi-disciplinary environment. A welcome and accessible text for early years practitioners facing the challenges and demands of this new agenda' - Professor Linda Miller, Professor of Early Years, The Open University Firmly grounded in practice, this book puts children and families at the centre of good early years leadership. There is now considerable emphasis on leadership skills in this sector, as the workforce becomes increasingly professionalized. The following are considered: - changes and developments within the early years sector - the impact of good leadership on children and their families - effective practice in a variety of settings, including Children's Centres - value-based leadership, and inspirational leadership - meeting the challenges - managing change - inter-agency and multi-disciplinary working - working with families and parent groups. Useful features such as Activities for Continuing Professional Development, Questions for Reflection and Pictures of Practice appear throughout the book. Those studying for Foundation Degrees, leaders undertaking the National Professional Qualification for Integrated Centre Leadership (NPQICL), those undertaking the management modules for Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) and anyone studying Childhood and Early Childhood will find this book an invaluable aid.
"This one will be dog-eared, highlighted intensely, and readily accessible on the corner of my desk. However, in the spirit of this book's call for independent thinking, don't take my word for it. Read and judge for yourself. You won't be disappointed." -Rick Wormeli, Columnist Middle Ground Magazine, National Middle School Association Learner independence = student success! While every teacher's goal is to help students become independent thinkers, determining exactly how to lead students toward self-sufficiency can be a challenge. This straightforward resource invites teachers to reflect on their philosophy of teaching and learning, and helps identify the key ingredients for creating a classroom that promotes student success and independence. Teachers will discover how to build on student strengths and interests and provide authentic learning experiences. The book includes checklists, examples, and tips, and shows readers how to: Identify practices that hinder independence as well as those that foster student self-sufficiency Engage learners so they can contribute information about how and what they want to learn Promote development of good work habits, self-motivation, resiliency, and peer-to-peer problem solving Strengthen students' critical thinking and inquiry skills Incorporate differentiation and formative assessments Infused with research and real classroom experiences, this readable handbook helps educators develop students who can solve problems and learn independently.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) came into force in September 2008 and established a framework for providing learning, development and care for children from birth to five. This book examines the EYFS within the context of Achieving QTS and is a core text for primary trainees covering this stage of children's learning. It links the principles and commitments of the EYFS with the new standards for QTS while covering all required content. The book examines the continuous nature of learning from birth to five, the inter-relatedness between care, learning and development, and the importance of sensitive transitions.
How to Turn Early Care Settings Into Magical Places
"Ask yourself the questions posed in this book, whether you are searching for child care or wondering why our smallest and most important citizens don't have more quality early education programs available in a more equitable manner. This is a great teacher's guide for those entering the field and a great staff development idea for ECE centers." -Denise Humphries, Preschool Principal John F. Kennedy American School, Queretaro, Mexico "I cannot think of anything pertaining to high-quality child care programs that isn't covered in this book. The organization is clear, consistent, and easy to follow." -Diane Salverson, Inclusion Specialist Early Childhood Direction Center, Buffalo, NY A guide to creating and sustaining a high-quality, successful early child care program! With most families today needing at least two sources of income, there is a critical need for quality, affordable child care throughout our country. This book discusses the qualities of an effective early child care program and the need to provide children with experiences that will prepare them for future emotional, social, and academic success. By examining high-quality early care within a real-life setting, this resource illustrates how to build a successful program, handle the inevitable challenges, and achieve and sustain positive results. Using their experience in child development and child therapy, the authors demonstrate how to: Create environments that foster healthy relationships for children and adults Build on children's sense of wonder and joy for learning in preparation for later academic experiences Use families' ethnic and cultural diversity as a teaching tool Maintain professional standards for administration and staff Developing Quality Care for Young Children is invaluable not only for early childhood educators, administrators, and trainers, but also for anyone striving to make a difference in the lives of our youngest learners.
'Without being the least difficult to read, this book forms a solid bedrock for students and for teachers seeking to inform themselves about the nature of books we are urging our children to read' - Carousel 'This is a high quality collection of writings on the understanding of children's books which deserves to be read by the widest constituency of educational professionals including undergraduate and postgraduate students on ITT courses' - English Drama Media 'Any adult with either the slightest interest in, or the smallest responsibility for, the upbringing of a child will find great value here...It is clearly written, carefully structured and laid out for speedy access to a rich diversity of topics' - www.thinkingclassroom.co.uk 'Prue Goodwin has collected together an interesting and varied selection of articles by different experts about books written for children. The writing is clear and fluent, without pomposity or jargon...It makes stimulating and interesting reading' - Speaking English 'With practical and thoughtful contributions from leaders in the field, this collection reminds us of the pleasures and satisfactions found in the rich and varied world of children's books, comics, traditional tales and information texts and the importance of sharing these delights with young readers' - Eve Bearne, Faculty of Education, Cambridge University Children's books play a vital role in education, and this book helps you to choose books that have the most to offer young children. Each chapter reflects on a different theme or genre and their role in educational settings, and recommends ten 'must reads' within each one. The themes covered include: - books for babies - literature for the very young - narrative fiction - books in translation - poetry - picture books - graphic texts. Early years professionals, childcare professionals and teachers working from nursery to Key Stage 3 will find this book a fascinating and useful resource.
'This book is a welcome addition to the field of Early Childhood studies and would appeal to both students and professionals working with children and families in any area. The format of the book is clear and the style of writing is very readable and engaging' - ESCalate ' In this excellent book two of the principal investigators from the huge national evaluation of Sure Start bring together key findings of "what works" as the local programmes are turned into children's centres and rolled out across England. Chapters on all aspects of Sure Start and children's centres reflect the services themselves in providing a valuable "one stop shop" for those who want to understand how to work effectively with young children and their parents' - Dame Gillian Pugh, Visiting Professor, Institute of Education, University of London This book sets out important insights gained from the National Evaluation of Sure Start (NESS). The contributors present the effects of Sure Start from a range of perspectives and explore the successful and problematic aspects of the programme with its vision of improving the life chances of the most disadvantaged families. They also map and evaluate the progression of the programme into Children's Centres and Extended Schools. Each contributor provides an overview of their specialist area before outlining the findings from the study and its implications for developing Children's Services. These areas include: - Ethnicity - Childcare - Parents - Special Needs - Maternity Services - Domestic Violence - Buildings and Spaces. The chapters set out the practical lessons learned from these areas for practitioners, professionals and policy makers in the field of children's services, as well as those involved in the setting up of Children's Centres and reform of multi-agency children's services. The book will be relevant to undergraduate students on Childhood Studies Degrees, Early Years Professional Foundation Degrees students, postgraduate students on National Qualification for Managers of Children's Centres and Masters related to Integrated Children's Services. It is also for those with an interest in anti-poverty intervention programmes for young children and their families around the world.
