Early Childhood Studies: A Social Science Perspective explores key issues in early childhood studies from a variety of social science disciplines, including psychology, sociology, social policy and education. Each chapter considers a different social science discipline, identifying, analysing and critically assessing how that particular discipline enriches early years provision and research. User-friendly student features are included throughout, including: - Icebreakers introduce the main chapter themes - Objectives help readers to develop cognitive skills, moving from identifying to analysing to critically assessing - Formative activities encourage practical application of the content - Case-studies ground theory in practice - Research activities support those looking to take their understanding further - Self-assessment questions allow readers to test their knowledge - Further reading references and web links provide ideas for further exploration An essential course companion for all Early Childhood Studies undergraduate students.

For decades, politicians, businessmen and other leaders have been concerned with the quality of education, including early childhood education, in the United States. While more than 50% of the children between the ages of three and five are enrolled in preschool and kindergarten programs in the United States, no state, federal, or national standards exist for science or technology education in preschool or kindergarten programs. Knowledge about science and technology is an important requirement for all in contemporary society. An increasing number of professions require the use of scientific concepts and technological skills and society as a whole depends on scientific knowledge. Scientific and technological knowledge should be a part of every individual's education. There are many ways to enhance young children's scientific thinking and problem-solving skills as well as their technological abilities. The purpose of this volume is to present a critical analysis of reviews of research on science and technology education in early childhood education.The first part of the volume includes contributions by leading scholars in science, while the second part includes contributions by leading scholars in technology.

This book brings together a collection of research-based papers on current issues in early childhood mathematics education that were presented in the Topic Study Group 1 (TSG 1) at the 13th International Congress on Mathematical Education (ICME-13), held at the University of Hamburg in 2016. It will help readers understand a range of key issues that early childhood mathematics educators encounter today. Research on early childhood mathematics education has grown in recent years, due in part to the well-documented, positive relation between children's early mathematical knowledge and their later mathematics learning, and to the considerable emphasis many countries are now placing on preschool education. The book addresses a number of central questions, including: What is mathematical structural development and how can we promote it in early childhood? How can multimodality and embodiment contribute to early mathematics learning and to acquiring a better understanding of young children's mathematical development? How can children's informal mathematics-related experiences affect instruction and children's learning in different mathematics content areas? What is the role of tools, including technology and picture books, in supporting early mathematics learning? What are the challenges in early childhood mathematics education for teachers' education and professional development?

This book provides an important compilation and synthesis of current work in transition to school research. The book focuses strongly on the theoretical underpinnings of research in transition to school. It outlines key theoretical positions and connects those to the implications for policy and practice, thereby challenging readers to re-conceptualize their understandings, expectations and perceptions of transition to school. The exploration of this range of theoretical perspectives and the application of these to a wide range of research and research contexts makes this book an important and innovative contribution to the scholarship of transition to school research. A substantial part of the book is devoted to detailed examples of transition to school practice. These chapters provide innovative examples of evidence-based practice and contribute in turn, to practice-based evidence. The book is also devoted to considering policy issues and implications related to the transition to school.It records a genuine, collaborative effort to bring together a range of perspectives into a Transition to School Position Statement that will inform ongoing research, practice and policy. The collaborative, research, policy and practice based development of this position statement represents a world-first."

Readings for Reflective Teaching in Early Education is a unique portable library of exceptional readings drawing together seminal extracts and contemporary literature from international sources from books and journals to support both initial study and extended career-long professionalism for early years practitioners. Introductions to each reading highlight the key issues explored and explain the status of classic works. This book, along with the core text and associated website, draw upon the work of Andrew Pollard, former Director of the TLRP, and the work of many years of accumulated understanding of generations of early years practitioners, primary school teachers and educationalists. Readings for Reflective Teaching in Early Education, the core text, Reflective Teaching in Early Education, and the website, provide a fully integrated set of resources promoting the expertise of early years professionals. The associated website, www.reflectiveteaching.co.uk offers supplementary resources including reflective activities, research briefings and advice on further readings. It also features a glossary of educational terms, links to useful websites and showcases examples of excellent research and practice. This book forms part of the Reflective Teaching series, edited by Andrew Pollard and Amy Pollard, offering support for reflective practice in early, primary, secondary, further, vocational, university and adult sectors of education.

There's a lot of conversation in the early childhood community on evaluating teachers to improve their performance. Raising the quality of early care and education is a priority for policymakers and practitioners on local, state, and federal levels. As a result, much attention is being focused on early childhood educators to ensure that they do a good--and better--job teaching young children. This book provides accessible information, guidance, techniques, and tools to aid directors, coaches, principals, and others leaders as they evaluate and support teachers in a way that encourages and enables them to do their best work with children.

This book is an ethnography of teachers and children in grades 1 and 2, and presents arguments about why we should take gender and childhood sexuality seriously in the early years of South African primary schooling. Taking issue with dominant discourses which assumes children's lack of agency, the book questions the epistemological foundations of childhood discourses that produce innocence. It examines the paradox between teachers' dominant narratives of childhood innocence and children's own conceptualisation of gender and sexuality inside the classroom, with peers, in heterosexual games, in the playground and through boyfriend-girlfriend relationships. It examines the nuances and finely situated experiences which draw attention to hegemonic masculinity and femininity where boys and girls challenge and contest relations of power. The book focuses on the early makings of gender and sexual harassment and shows how violent gender relations are manifest even amongst very young boys and girls. Attention is given to the interconnections with race, class, structural inequalities, as well as the actions of boys and girls as navigate gender and sexuality at school. The book argues that the early years of primary schooling are a key site for the production and reproduction of gender and sexuality. Gender reform strategies are vital in this sector of schooling.

This silly but stylish slider book is sure to give little ones a giggle. They'll love joining in with a game of hide-and-seek as they move the sliders to reveal the crocodile hiding in every scene. Is it driving the digger? Or hiding behind the wheelbarrow? Just push the slider to find out! With beautiful artwork from google doodler Lydia Nichols, all the family will enjoy reading and playing with this fun novelty book.

The 50 Fantastic Ideas series is packed full of fun, original, skills-based activities for Early Years practitioners to use with children aged 0-5. Each activity features step-by-step guidance, a list of resources, and a detailed explanation of the skills children will learn. Creative, simple, and highly effective, this series is a must-have for every Early Years setting. Every year, an increasing number of children enter the Early Years setting either new to English or with English as an additional language (EAL), which can be daunting, not just for the child but for the practitioner too. How can Early Years practitioners ensure that the right support is in place for the child and themselves? What practical ideas can be used successfully to enrich an EAL child's understanding of a new language, while, at the same time, allowing that child to bond with their peers? 50 Fantastic Ideas for Children with EAL is an invaluable resource to help integrate children with EAL into the classroom with fresh, exciting and engaging activities that are easy to resource, require little preparation and are fun to carry out. The activities include simple speak-and-repeat games, visual ideas to support learning new words and phrases and activities that evoke feelings of being at home, allowing the children to feel welcomed and part of the school's diverse community. Traditional games are also featured to help children with EAL play with their peers, as well as feel that they can contribute to the learning of others. Perfect for promoting inclusion and self-esteem, 50 Fantastic Ideas for Children with EAL is ideal for supporting children as they navigate the ups and downs of having English as an additional language.

The purpose of this volume is to present a selection of chapters that reflect current issues relating to children's socialization processes that help them become successful members of their society. From birth children are unique in their rates of growth and development, including the development of their social awareness and their ability to interact socially. They interpret social events based on their developing life style and environmental experiences. The children's socialization is influenced by several important social forces including the family and its organization, their peer group, and the significant others in their lives. In "Theories of Socialization and Social Development," Olivia Saracho and Bernard Spodek describe the children's socialization forces and the different developmental theories that have influenced our understanding of the socialization process. These include maturationist theory (developed by Arnold Gesell), constructivist theories (developed by such theorists as Jean Piaget, Lev S. Vygotsky, and Jerome Bruner), psychodynamic theories (developed by such theorists as Sigmund Freud, Erik Erikson, Harry Stack Sullivan, and Alfred Adler), and ecological theory (developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner). Each theory provides interpretations of the meaning of the children's social development and describes the different characteristics for each age group in the developmental sequences.

Drawing from first-hand discussions and interviews, this essential guide offers an in-depth, realistic overview of bringing up a child with complex and specific needs to enhance current practice and collaborative work with parents. The book supports the development of effective child-centred planning and family-centred approaches, by using the expert voices and lived experiences of parents to inform critical discussion and build the skills of professionals. Chapters provide strategies, guidance, and suggestions to strengthen effective partnership work with parents, children, and young people. Scenarios, key takeaways, and questions for discussion are also woven throughout, offering a greater understanding of the barriers faced by parents of children with SEND and encouraging the reader to consider how they can more effectively co-produce with families. True Partnerships in SEND uses the voice of the parent and their lived experiences as the basis for narrative, research and discussion and includes wider concepts that can inform positive parent-professional interactions globally. It will be essential reading for SENCOs, teachers, and other education professionals working with children with SEND and their families.

This is a complete guide to supporting physical development in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), promoting a holistic approach and drawing on examples of good practice. "Creative Development" introduces this area of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to trainee and qualified early years professionals. The creative development of children aged between 0-5 years is introduced within the context of the EYFS. A balanced approach to the Early Learning Goals is encouraged ensuring that key principles of good early years practice are maintained and developed, and the holistic development of the child is promoted. This user-friendly guide will support early years professionals to: reflect on current practice and develop skills; evaluate the implications of research for early years practice and provision; promote interdisciplinary teamwork between those who work with and support young children; meet the diverse needs of children at different developmental stages and ages; and, support children as they move within and beyond the EYFS. This series introduces each of the six areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS): Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Language, Literacy and Communication; Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy; Knowledge and Understanding of the World; Creative Development; and, Physical Development. Each book delivers accessible yet rigorous support for practitioners, whether training or qualified, in developing their professional understanding and practice in each of these Early Learning Goals. Whilst considering each area in turn, the aim throughout the series is to promote the holistic development of the child. Each volume includes: an introduction to the key area; consideration of the development of children in the key area from birth to 3 years; 3 to 5 years; and into 5 to 7 years; consideration of the holistic development of the child and the impact of that development on the key area being discussed; research evidence to support practice; practical examples of good practice; discussions on leadership in the key area; and, support in the development of pedagogical skills and reflective professional practice. In line with the aims of the EYFS, this series will help you in meeting the challenges that come with supporting the different needs of children, working in multi-professional partnerships, balancing the different areas of development, and supporting transitions within and beyond the EYFS.

This annual series is designed to provide an academic forum for the publication of original research, critical reviews and conceptual analyses of theoretical and substantive issues related to the education, care and development of young children. The series is intended to stimulate research and to enhance communication among scholars in early childhood education, child development, social work, public administration and related fields. This volume reflects debates in the field about the relative weight given to disciplines in a field acknowledged to be interdisciplinary. It seeks to reflect the complexity of the early childhood education enterprise - classroom practice, teacher preparation, research and conceptualization in all its phases. It also reflects the deep scholarly roots that contribute to our thinking and that may link our thinking with practice. This book is intended for a broad audience of researchers, teacher educator and pre- and in-service teachers. Its purpose is to define prevailing orientations and to solidify significant issues distilled from a broad body of literature.

This volume provides an up-to-date collection of key aspects related to current preschool bilingual education research from a socio-linguistic perspective. The focus is on preschool bilingual education in multilingual Europe, which is characterized by diverse language models and children's linguistic backgrounds. The book explores the contemporary perspectives on early bilingual education in light of the threefold theoretical framework of child's, teachers', and parents' agencies in interaction in preschool bilingual education. Five significant theoretical concepts are promoted in this volume: the ecology of language learning, an educational partnership for bilingualism, a notion of agency in early language development and education, language-conducive contexts, and language-conducive strategies. The volume examines preschool bilingual education as embedded in specific socio-cultural contexts on the one hand and highlights its universal features on the other. The book is a fundamental read for scholars and students of second language teaching, preschool education, and bilingual education in multilingual and multicultural societies.

Due to the demand for flexible working hours and employees who are available around the clock, the time patterns of childcare and schooling have increasingly become a political issue. Comparing the development of different 'time policies' of half-day and all-day provisions in a variety of Eastern and Western European countries since the end of World War II, this innovative volume brings together internationally known experts from the fields of comparative education, history, and the social and political sciences, and makes a significant contribution to this new interdisciplinary field of comparative study.

From shy to confident, quiet to enthusiastic, all children have different personalities and sometimes they just need a little help when it comes to making friends. How can we best help children communicate clearly and build strong friendships? Penny Tassoni, leading Early Years education consultant, author and trainer, uses simple words, accompanied by delightful full-colour illustrations by Mel Four, to support children as they make friends. There's lots to talk about in Time to Make Friends which makes this book ideal for sharing. It also includes a page of practical advice and tips for practitioners, parents and carers making it the perfect resource for supporting this essential life skill.