By approaching the concept of community through the lens of early childhood, this valuable book acknowledges the role that diverse and multiple communities play in supporting a child's early development, and explores how their value can be harnessed in our ever-evolving and fast-changing world. Young Children and Their Communities delves deeper into the many layers of communities to which children belong. With a focus on key theoretical perspectives, such as social empathy and the pedagogy of friendships, the book seeks to expand readers' understanding of the concept of community by considering a range of both established and emerging communities, including peer groups, digital communities, the extended family and intergenerational learning. Chapters explore how various communities contribute to and enhance young children's lives, and examine how children can in turn enrich the communities they are part of. Illustrative vignettes and points for reflection are included throughout, along with helpful research summaries and links to current policy. Reiterating the importance of communities and illustrating the rich opportunities they offer to children, Young Children and Their Communities will inform students' and early years practitioners' practice as they confront new challenges and opportunities in fields of early childhood education, social work and sociology.

By approaching the concept of community through the lens of early childhood, this valuable book acknowledges the role that diverse and multiple communities play in supporting a child's early development, and explores how their value can be harnessed in our ever-evolving and fast-changing world. Young Children and Their Communities delves deeper into the many layers of communities to which children belong. With a focus on key theoretical perspectives, such as social empathy and the pedagogy of friendships, the book seeks to expand readers' understanding of the concept of community by considering a range of both established and emerging communities, including peer groups, digital communities, the extended family and intergenerational learning. Chapters explore how various communities contribute to and enhance young children's lives, and examine how children can in turn enrich the communities they are part of. Illustrative vignettes and points for reflection are included throughout, along with helpful research summaries and links to current policy. Reiterating the importance of communities and illustrating the rich opportunities they offer to children, Young Children and Their Communities will inform students' and early years practitioners' practice as they confront new challenges and opportunities in fields of early childhood education, social work and sociology.

The Reception Year is a special time for children and their teachers. This text celebrates the uniqueness of the Reception Year and the unique role of the Reception Teacher. This is a book for those aspiring to be reception teachers, those new to teaching in reception and for those with a love for the reception year. This text addresses many key features of working with 4 and 5 year olds in the reception class environment. These include: creating a positive learning environment that values every child involving parents and carers in children's learning understanding about child development to support your role spreading the word on the importance of early years teaching and learning discovering what works for you and your class creating effective learning spaces and resources harnessing the learning potential of the outdoor environment taking risks and challenging yourself and your class being the best teacher for your class this year and in the years to come Working in Reception you are not just a teacher. You will also be a carer, a collaborator in learning, a partner in play, a creator of magical environments, a leader of your team and an observer of the creativity and skills of young learners. This text will help you to understand your role and be the best Reception teacher you can be.