How should we understand children s creativity?

This fascinating collection of international research offers fresh perspectives on children s creative processes and the expression of their creative imagination through dramatic play, stories, artwork, dance, music and conversation.

Drawing on a range of research evidence from innovative educational initiatives in a wide variety of countries, Exploring Children s Creative Narratives develops new theoretical and practical insights that challenge traditional thinking about children s creativity. The chapters, written by well-respected international contributors:

• offer new conceptual and interpretive frameworks for understanding children s creativity
• contest conventional discourses about the origins and nature of creativity
• challenge the view that young children s creativity can only be judged in terms of their creative output
• explore the significance children themselves attribute to their creative activity
• argue the need for a radical reappraisal of the influence of the sociocultural context on children s creative expression
• discuss the implications of this research in relation to teacher education and curriculum design.

This broad yet coherent compilation of research on creativity in childhood is essential reading for students, researchers and policy makers in early childhood as well as for Early Years professionals with a particular interest in creativity.

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.

All you need to know about the theory and practice of teaching primary English. If you are training to be a primary school teacher, a knowledge of the primary English curriculum is not enough, you need to know HOW to teach English in primary schools. This is the essential teaching theory and practice text for primary English that takes a focused look at the practical aspects of teaching. It covers the important skills of classroom management, planning, monitoring and assessment and relates these specifically to primary English. Practical guidance, features and resources support you to translate your learning to the classroom and understand the wider context of teaching. The book includes: - Online practical lesson ideas for the classroom - The Primary National Curriculum for English in Key Stages one and two - Tips for planning primary English - A recommended children's book list - Useful weblinks for primary English teaching This ninth edition has been updated throughout and includes a new chapter on online and 'blended' learning and teaching for primary English.

All you need to know about the theory and practice of teaching primary English. If you are training to be a primary school teacher, a knowledge of the primary English curriculum is not enough, you need to know HOW to teach English in primary schools. This is the essential teaching theory and practice text for primary English that takes a focused look at the practical aspects of teaching. It covers the important skills of classroom management, planning, monitoring and assessment and relates these specifically to primary English. Practical guidance, features and resources support you to translate your learning to the classroom and understand the wider context of teaching. The book includes: - Online practical lesson ideas for the classroom - The Primary National Curriculum for English in Key Stages one and two - Tips for planning primary English - A recommended children's book list - Useful weblinks for primary English teaching This ninth edition has been updated throughout and includes a new chapter on online and 'blended' learning and teaching for primary English.

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.