This book explores the impact of digital media on young children's lives and the role that the media and news industries play in the social construction of childhood. It highlights the pressing issues relating to young children's media use drawing on key research and examines the impact of digital media on their learning, development and socialization. The chapters recognise the challenges digital media presents children and families, but also demonstrate how media use and engagement can have a positive impact on children's academic attainment, social capital and opportunities to create and curate online content. Covering key areas of concern such as safety, violence and children's mental health, the authors provide strategies to help children and families reduce the risks that can arise with digital media use and capitalise on the opportunities it can offer. Including case study examples and opportunities for reflective practice, this is an essential text for students on Childhood and Early Childhood Studies courses and Early Years Foundation Degrees as well as practitioners wanting to develop their critical understanding of the role of the media in young children's lives.

This book explores the impact of digital media on young children's lives and the role that the media and news industries play in the social construction of childhood. It highlights the pressing issues relating to young children's media use drawing on key research and examines the impact of digital media on their learning, development and socialization. The chapters recognise the challenges digital media presents children and families, but also demonstrate how media use and engagement can have a positive impact on children's academic attainment, social capital and opportunities to create and curate online content. Covering key areas of concern such as safety, violence and children's mental health, the authors provide strategies to help children and families reduce the risks that can arise with digital media use and capitalise on the opportunities it can offer. Including case study examples and opportunities for reflective practice, this is an essential text for students on Childhood and Early Childhood Studies courses and Early Years Foundation Degrees as well as practitioners wanting to develop their critical understanding of the role of the media in young children's lives.

Understanding Gender and Early Childhood is a comprehensive and accessible introduction into the main issues around gender and what these mean for our youngest children. Drawing on key theories and research, and illustrating each topic with case studies, reflective questions and a summary of key points, students are encouraged to question why it is more relevant than ever to consider gender issues and to reflect critically on their own practice and on the practice of others. The three parts examine gender in relation to the children, the workforce and wider society, concluding with inclusive suggestions for the future of the early years classroom. Topics covered include: how gender impacts on children's play, learning and achievement, the gender imbalance in the early years workforce and the impact of this on children, the gendered ways in which people engage with children, gender issues in children's health. This book is an essential read for those studying on Early Years and Early Childhood courses, along with practitioners and anyone else who wants to develop their understanding of the most pressing issues relating to gender and early childhood practice.

Understanding Gender and Early Childhood is a comprehensive and accessible introduction into the main issues around gender and what these mean for our youngest children. Drawing on key theories and research, and illustrating each topic with case studies, reflective questions and a summary of key points, students are encouraged to question why it is more relevant than ever to consider gender issues and to reflect critically on their own practice and on the practice of others. The three parts examine gender in relation to the children, the workforce and wider society, concluding with inclusive suggestions for the future of the early years classroom. Topics covered include: how gender impacts on children's play, learning and achievement, the gender imbalance in the early years workforce and the impact of this on children, the gendered ways in which people engage with children, gender issues in children's health. This book is an essential read for those studying on Early Years and Early Childhood courses, along with practitioners and anyone else who wants to develop their understanding of the most pressing issues relating to gender and early childhood practice.

"What a useful book for the beginner researcher! Offering a grounding in the different kinds of research conducted in the field of early childhood, this book's inviting and accessible style will support the novice researcher, and the development of criticality in relation to research." Deborah Albon, Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies, University of Roehampton What does the term 'research' in early childhood actually mean? What does research involve, and how do you go about doing it? This book explains exactly what 'research' is; it explores key ideas, themes and terminology to provide you with a clear understanding of its importance to your early years or early childhood studies degree. It will help you: * Understand what it means to think critically, and unpick childhood research * Learn how to analyse, examine and understand the importance of others' research * Get to know how research is designed and carried out * Appreciate the importance of ethics * Get to grips with translating research into real life in an early childhood setting. Laying the foundations to develop your confidence in talking about research and making links between theory and practice, this book will support you as you begin your research journey into the world of early years. Polly Bolshaw is a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at Canterbury Christ Church University. Jo Josephidou is a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at Canterbury Christ Church University. Polly Bolshaw and Jo Josephidou will be discussing ideas from Introducing Research in Early Childhood in Doing Your Early Years Research Project, a SAGE Masterclass for early years students and practitioners in collaboration with Kathy Brodie. Find out more here.

"What a useful book for the beginner researcher! Offering a grounding in the different kinds of research conducted in the field of early childhood, this book's inviting and accessible style will support the novice researcher, and the development of criticality in relation to research." Deborah Albon, Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies, University of Roehampton What does the term 'research' in early childhood actually mean? What does research involve, and how do you go about doing it? This book explains exactly what 'research' is; it explores key ideas, themes and terminology to provide you with a clear understanding of its importance to your early years or early childhood studies degree. It will help you: * Understand what it means to think critically, and unpick childhood research * Learn how to analyse, examine and understand the importance of others' research * Get to know how research is designed and carried out * Appreciate the importance of ethics * Get to grips with translating research into real life in an early childhood setting. Laying the foundations to develop your confidence in talking about research and making links between theory and practice, this book will support you as you begin your research journey into the world of early years. Polly Bolshaw is a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at Canterbury Christ Church University. Jo Josephidou is a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at Canterbury Christ Church University. Polly Bolshaw and Jo Josephidou will be discussing ideas from Introducing Research in Early Childhood in Doing Your Early Years Research Project, a SAGE Masterclass for early years students and practitioners in collaboration with Kathy Brodie. Find out more here.