Science for Primary and Early Years is a comprehensive guide to the subject knowledge requirements for the teaching of science in early years settings and primary schools. This second edition consists of activities to help the reader extend their own understanding of science. Part One explores understanding the nature of science, processes of planning, carrying out and evaluating scientific investigations, collecting and using data, hypothesizing, predicting, fair testing, use of correct terminology and understanding health and safety as well as key ideas in science that underpin subject knowledge. Part Two builds on these ideas as it explores in more detail life and living processes, the environment, electricity and magnetism, light, sound and the earth in space. This text is part of the series Developing Subject Knowledge which covers English, Mathematics and Science and provides authoritative distance learning materials on the national requirements for teaching the primary core curriculum, working with the early years and achieving qualified teacher status. It is designed for initial teacher training, experienced practitioner self-study, and will help towards GCSE revision. This is a set book for the Open University Course, 'Ways of Knowing: language, mathematics and science in the early years'.
'A much needed book that uniquely brings together policy and practice in early childhood education and care across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. It offers a wealth of information and useful websites and addresses so that, importantly, readers can keep abreast of the rapidly changing external environment in these countries... An essential read for those wishing to understand the background to policy and practice in early childhood education and care' - Linda Miller, The Open University 'This book is long overdue; it provides effective cameos of developments in each country, highlighting key legislation, the underlying philosophy, the formation of policies and thier implementation in state, voluntary and private provision' - The International Journal of Early Childhood 'This unique resource will be invaluable in helping students and others trying to understand the context of current early years provision. The case studies bring the book to life and ground it in the stories of real children and their families. They highlight how the similarities and differences in support for children and their families are more dependent on where they live than what they need' - Lesley Staggs Early childhood education and care policy has an impact on the daily lives of early years practitioners and the families and children they work with, and practising and trainee early childhood professionals need to have an understanding of current policy as well as the contexts for policy-making and implementation. Currently, the majority of textbooks for early years education and early childhood students in the UK focus on the situation in England. As a result, readers may have a skewed perspective on policy and practice, and not be aware of the varying and different contexts in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Also, those working in settings not in England have to work hard to apply texts to their own contexts. In contrast, this book gives the reader easy access to information on the policies and practices in ECEC across each of the countries in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Each chapter covers: o background information o policy and practice in early childhood education and care o transition o schooling and curriculum o quality assurance, examination and inspection o professional development and training o future and imminent changes o case studies of children's lives. In addition to describing the legislatory, political and practical situation in each country, the book enables comparisons to be drawn, and helps readers interpret the data critically. It will be essential reading for modules on comparative education and international perspectives, but will also form a foundation for all modules involving policy and provision on Early Years Education, Early Childhood or Childhood Studies courses. Practitioners undertaking CPD modules or foundation degrees, and international students looking for comparative data will also find the book useful.
'[T]his second edition book is a welcome contribution to the early years literature base, providing much needed information and a somewhat innovative response concerning how effectively to translate the Early Years Foundation Stage into practice' - Early Years `This second edition of Learning in the Early Years has been fully updated to bring it in line with the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage...The presentation and style...is very readable and accessible and as such the book provides an excellent resource for students and experienced early years practitioners alike' - Early Years Update Praise for the First Edition: `It was a joy to read this book... This book provides a wealth of ideas for reflection, as well as guidance to promote knowledge and skills essential in early years teaching.' Dario Pellegrini, Educational Psychologist `I found it hard to put it down. I particularly liked the way it followed through into Key Stage 1' - Who Minds `An important contribution to difficult work' - Elizabeth Quintero, The Steinhardt School of Education, New York University This fully updated Second Edition of 'Learning in the Early Years 3-7' has been written to support early years practitioners understand and implement the new curriculum guidance document 'The Early Years Foundation Stage' (DfES, 2007). In this book, Jeni Riley clearly explains how to meet the requirements of the EYFS document and how this relates to the National Curriculum and the Primary National Strategy: Framework for teaching for literacy and mathematics. Offering informative and inspirational guidance on planning learning and teaching opportunities across the curriculum, this book will help you to promote social, intellectual, aesthetic, spiritual and physical development in your setting. Topics covered include: - appropriate and lively ways of working with young children - developing subject knowledge - supporting children for whom English is an additional language - the role of adults when interacting with children to support learning - the place of information and communications technology - the transition between the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1. The book also draws on recent research on child development, on how babies think and on effective learning and teaching for children aged 3-7. All early years students and practitioners will want to have this book to hand to guide them through the new guidance and to support them daily to implement successful practice. Jeni Riley, Reader in Literacy in Primary Education, Institute of Education, University of London.
Science for Primary and Early Years is a comprehensive guide to the subject knowledge requirements for the teaching of science in early years settings and primary schools. This second edition consists of activities to help the reader extend their own understanding of science. Part One explores understanding the nature of science, processes of planning, carrying out and evaluating scientific investigations, collecting and using data, hypothesizing, predicting, fair testing, use of correct terminology and understanding health and safety as well as key ideas in science that underpin subject knowledge. Part Two builds on these ideas as it explores in more detail life and living processes, the environment, electricity and magnetism, light, sound and the earth in space. This text is part of the series Developing Subject Knowledge which covers English, Mathematics and Science and provides authoritative distance learning materials on the national requirements for teaching the primary core curriculum, working with the early years and achieving qualified teacher status. It is designed for initial teacher training, experienced practitioner self-study, and will help towards GCSE revision. This is a set book for the Open University Course, 'Ways of Knowing: language, mathematics and science in the early years'.
'Theresa's book is full of lots of inspiring, practical, 'how to go about it ideas' coupled with thought provoking and sometimes challenging comments and views. The range of ideas and information contained in this book will go a long way to support the development of flexible, imaginative, yet not prescriptive play spaces that contribute to supporting children's play. A very readable and worthwhile publication to add to your resources' - Muriel Young, Grounds for Learning (Learning Through Landscapes) 'This practical book helps the reader plan, design and manage the kinds of settings that afford children the opportunities to carry out the wide range of self-directed activities that are so important to their development. It's ideal for community development workers, the organizers of after-school programs, children's hospital staff and groups of caring parents' - Roger A. Hart, Director of the Children's Environments Research Group, The Graduate School of the City University of New York 'This readable and usable book is full of advice and ideas which will take every professional nearer to understanding the way to provide opportunities for children which the children themselves would want and enjoy...A necessary addition to the bookshelf for all interested in the subject' - PlayRights Journal (online journal of the International Play Association) 'Refreshing and insightful...One of the best things about this book is that Casey offers us a fresh perspective on our role. While we may long for a world where we opened the door and sent children outside to play, we are faced with the reality that, for a variety of reasons, these opportunities are no longer occurring naturally in our communities. It is encumbent upon us now to recreate these "essential childhood opportunities." This will take intentional, thoughtful, informed design. Casey's book gives us some great starting points. A must read' - PlayRights Magazine 'I like the attention to individuality, children's perspectives and community. The author brings a strong playwork perspective to considering outdoor spaces, which early years practitioners considering the design of new or refurbished areas should find valuable. It's crucial to free up our thinking about playful spaces, and this book brings a refreshing focus on working from children's motivations for play, using playful values (such as choice, spontaneity, freedom and meaning-making) to drive thinking, being careful not to over-design, and the organic growth of a space into a place through the play that occurs' - Nursery World 'Casey's extensive research and years of practice in award winning play services are very much in evidence in the various techniques and ideas that she describes in this publication...a great resource for any play setting considering setting up or developing thier outdoor play space' - SOSCN News Update 'If you are daunted, but excited, by the challenge of developing your outdoor spaces to meet the needs of all children, this book is an excellent resource' - Early Years Update Exciting spaces to play are vital if we are to provide children with challenging, flexible, inclusive and stimulating opportunities to learn, develop and have fun together. This book provides readers with ideas for developing play environments that will meet the needs of the children in their care. It illustrates how improving the play environment also offers a better, more positive way of dealing with a number of issues from inclusion to playground management and the need to promote physical activity. It includes: " clear frameworks for designing play environments; " case studies showing examples of how play environments can be developed; " ideas and activities which lead to interesting designs, with the participation of the children; " practical examples, illustrations & photographs; " research evidence showing the importance of good play environments. The book is aimed at practitioners and managers in all early years and children's play settings, and students on education, early childhood, child care and playwork courses. It is also very relevant to playground designers, landscape architects and community education and development workers.
'This book stresses the importance of working with parents, building upon achievement made and promotes a can-do approach to working with children with SEN' - SNIP 'This book provides clearly set out, step-by-step instructions to identify and support children's additional needs and is a valuable guide for all early years settings' - Special 'I really enjoyed this informative book. It provides sound advice on building good relationships with parents and practical strategies to identify and meet individual children's needs...The book emphasises the fact that "good practice for children with additional needs is good practice for all children", and there are some useful scenarios to explore and an observation framework' - Nursery World 'A particularly useful 'core text' for SENCOs who are supporting the professional development of colleagues working in a range of early years settings.' - SENCO Update 'A very useful and easy-to-follow guide to identifying and supporting children who have additional needs in relation to their learning' - Early Years Update 'Early years practitioners will feel more confident in identifying special needs, knowing what to do in a practical way to help and be reassured by the clear links to existing guidance and current legislation. All early years settings would benefit by having, using and reflecting upon this guide.' Martine Horvath, Early Years Educator With increasing expectations from parents and practitioners for inclusive early years settings, many practitioners are anxious about identifying and accommodating children's individual needs as early as possible. Through simple step-by-step instruction, this book will: o increase practitioners' confidence in identifying individual needs; o give practical advice on involving parents; o provide clear links to existing guidance and legislation. This is a valuable guide for practitioners in all early years settings including Day Nurseries, Pre-schools, Children's Centres, Nursery Schools and infant schools.
'Chris Athey has made a major contribution to our understanding of how young children think and how educators and parents can best support their learning. This book is, without doubt, a most important text for all who are concerned to maximise the potential of early childhood education to develop effective ways of working with young children. The book explores children's schematic development and offers ways of teaching which are closely matched to children's actions, speech and graphic representations. This second edition of Extending Thought builds on the scholarly approach of the first and provides readers with clear explanation of relevant research alongside rich observations of children. It is essential reading for all who seek to provide the very best of learning opportunities for young children by bring parents, professionals and informed pedagogy together in a thoughtful and informed partnership of learning. Extending Thought is a major building block for many of us who study young children's capacity to think and learn' - Dr Cathy Nutbrown, Reader in Education, University of Sheffield In this fully revised version of Chris Athey's classic text, the author builds on her original internationally renowned research with new illustrations of 'continuity' in children's thinking from early to primary education. Drawing on her extensive experience and research evidence, she explains how teachers of young children can advance professionally towards a greater knowledge of young children's thinking and learning. The book covers: o 'forms of thought' used by young children o assimilation of curriculum content o pedagogy o parental participation o the politics of early education This book is an essential read for students and teachers in early years education. Chris Athey M Ed, was Principal Lecturer in Education at the Roehampton Institute of Higher Education (RIHE). Funded by a Leverhulme Research Fellowship, she directed the Froebel Early Education Project from 1973 to 1978. She has taught all ages of primary-school children in State and private schools. She has considerable experience of initial teacher training and INSET
'An excellent resource for all those working with young children... jam-packed with exciting, inspirational activities that encourage young children to nurture their creativity and imagination while helping practitioners to facilitate what children do naturally... It is a book that celebrates and encourages original thought and action to support learning through exploration and investigation, recognising that creativity is about representing one's own image and not reproducing someone else's' - Early Years Educator '[I]nspirational... This book is easy to read, refreshing and exciting, and I would recommend it to all those working with young children. It is also useful for students, clearly articulating the reasons for providing well-organised child-initiated creative opportunities rather than adult-directed activities' - Nursery World It is an interesting and informative manual aimed at those who work with children in the 3-5 years age range, and is therefore most suited to anyone in a Pre-School or Day Nursery setting, and could also be valuable to a Reception Teacher...over all, I found this to be a very useful book'. - National Childminding Association Packed full of exciting ideas and powerful visual aids, this book will help those working with young children to encourage and nurture their creativity and imagination. The book takes examples of what has worked in an early years setting, and transfers these inspirational activities onto the page. The book includes: " practical activities in Art, Dance and Music and ideas on how to link them together; " advice on how to make the most of music, lighting, space and nursery resources; " showing how the work supports the Foundation Stage Curriculum; " ideas for cross-curricular work; " suggestions for recording children's progress; " advice on how to choose materials, and a list of specialist suppliers. Everyone involved in working with young children should read this book. Nursery practitioners, early years teachers, Sure Start workers, play workers and Children's Centre staff will find it an invaluable resource. It is also useful for specialist staff in hospitals and other areas of health.
'A much needed book that uniquely brings together policy and practice in early childhood education and care across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. It offers a wealth of information and useful websites and addresses so that, importantly, readers can keep abreast of the rapidly changing external environment in these countries... An essential read for those wishing to understand the background to policy and practice in early childhood education and care' - Linda Miller, The Open University 'This book is long overdue; it provides effective cameos of developments in each country, highlighting key legislation, the underlying philosophy, the formation of policies and thier implementation in state, voluntary and private provision' - The International Journal of Early Childhood 'This unique resource will be invaluable in helping students and others trying to understand the context of current early years provision. The case studies bring the book to life and ground it in the stories of real children and their families. They highlight how the similarities and differences in support for children and their families are more dependent on where they live than what they need' - Lesley Staggs Early childhood education and care policy has an impact on the daily lives of early years practitioners and the families and children they work with, and practising and trainee early childhood professionals need to have an understanding of current policy as well as the contexts for policy-making and implementation. Currently, the majority of textbooks for early years education and early childhood students in the UK focus on the situation in England. As a result, readers may have a skewed perspective on policy and practice, and not be aware of the varying and different contexts in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Also, those working in settings not in England have to work hard to apply texts to their own contexts. In contrast, this book gives the reader easy access to information on the policies and practices in ECEC across each of the countries in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Each chapter covers: o background information o policy and practice in early childhood education and care o transition o schooling and curriculum o quality assurance, examination and inspection o professional development and training o future and imminent changes o case studies of children's lives. In addition to describing the legislatory, political and practical situation in each country, the book enables comparisons to be drawn, and helps readers interpret the data critically. It will be essential reading for modules on comparative education and international perspectives, but will also form a foundation for all modules involving policy and provision on Early Years Education, Early Childhood or Childhood Studies courses. Practitioners undertaking CPD modules or foundation degrees, and international students looking for comparative data will also find the book useful.
