Understanding the Montessori Approach is a much-needed source of information for those wishing to extend and consolidate their understanding of the Montessori Approach and how it is used in the teaching and learning of young children. The book will enable the reader to analyse the essential elements of this Approach to early childhood and and its relationship to quality early years practice. This second edition has been fully updated to reflect changes in the Early Years Foundation Stage and includes a fresh examination of the relationship between technology and the Montessori approach, as well as a brand new chapter, Learning in Montessori Settings. Exploring all areas of the curriculum including the organisation of Montessori schools, the environment, learning and teaching and the outcomes for children, this book: examines the historical context of the Montessori approach and its relevance to modern-day education; explores Montessori's views of child development and the role of the learning environment in a child's educational development; details the organisation of Montessori schools worldwide and the structure of a typical day in a Montessori setting; highlights the principles of Montessori pedagogy, including the tools and strategies employed by its practitioners; considers how and what children learn in a Montessori setting and the links with EYFS 2017; includes new benefits and challenges of the Montessori approach to children's lives. Understanding the Montessori Approach provides an accessible overview of this major pedagogical influence on early years practice, supported by case studies, examples, summaries and reflective practice questions. This new edition not only highlights the core ideas that practitioners should consider when reviewing and reflecting on their own practice, but accomodates revisions to educational curriculum and policy in order to serve as an invaluable resource for students and practitioners alike.

Understanding the Reggio Approach is a much needed source of information for those wishing to extend and consolidate their understanding of the Reggio Approach. It will enable the reader to analyse the essential elements of this approach to early childhood and its relationship to quality early years practice.

The book describes the key features of the Reggio Approach to early childhood including the environment, creativity, relationships and documentation alongside examples from infant-toddler centres and preschools in Reggio Emilia. This new edition has been fully updated with the latest developments and features:

• A new chapter on the thinking and work of Loris Malaguzzi
• A new chapter on the future for educators in Reggio Emilia and the implications for practice in the UK
• Key points to highlight the ideas that practitioners should consider when reviewing and reflecting on their practice
• Reflections that can be used as the basis for continuing professional development and action research.

Written to support the work of all those in the field of early education and childcare, this is a vital text for students, early years and childcare practitioners, teachers, Early Years Professionals, Children s Centre professionals, lecturers, advisory teachers and setting managers. "

Have you ever wondered what the Reggio Approach is all about, why it works, and how it can be used to benefit the young children in your setting? The book describes how educators in Reggio Emilia work with young children, and looks at the connections between the Reggio Approach and the revised Early Years Foundation Stage framework. It provides practical examples involving children of different ages in a wide variety of settings, helping the reader to see the connection between practice and theory. This new edition has been fully updated to show the increasingly mirroring connections between the Reggio Approach and the principles and commitments of the recently revised Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Each chapter focuses on one important aspect of the Reggio Approach and includes: Practical examples involving children of different ages in a wide variety of settings, helping the reader to see the connection between practice and theory Questions to enable the reader to reflect on and develop his or her own practice in accordance with new statutory requirements References to sources of further reading and information. This convenient guide will help early years practitioners, students and parents to really understand what the Reggio Approach can offer their setting and children.

Have you ever wondered what the Reggio Approach is all about, why it works, and how it can be used to benefit the young children in your setting? The book describes how educators in Reggio Emilia work with young children, and looks at the connections between the Reggio Approach and the revised Early Years Foundation Stage framework. It provides practical examples involving children of different ages in a wide variety of settings, helping the reader to see the connection between practice and theory. This new edition has been fully updated to show the increasingly mirroring connections between the Reggio Approach and the principles and commitments of the recently revised Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Each chapter focuses on one important aspect of the Reggio Approach and includes: Practical examples involving children of different ages in a wide variety of settings, helping the reader to see the connection between practice and theory Questions to enable the reader to reflect on and develop his or her own practice in accordance with new statutory requirements References to sources of further reading and information. This convenient guide will help early years practitioners, students and parents to really understand what the Reggio Approach can offer their setting and children.

Understanding the Montessori Approach is a much-needed source of information for those wishing to extend and consolidate their understanding of the Montessori Approach and how it is used in the teaching and learning of young children. The book will enable the reader to analyse the essential elements of this Approach to early childhood and and its relationship to quality early years practice. This second edition has been fully updated to reflect changes in the Early Years Foundation Stage and includes a fresh examination of the relationship between technology and the Montessori approach, as well as a brand new chapter, Learning in Montessori Settings. Exploring all areas of the curriculum including the organisation of Montessori schools, the environment, learning and teaching and the outcomes for children, this book: examines the historical context of the Montessori approach and its relevance to modern-day education; explores Montessori's views of child development and the role of the learning environment in a child's educational development; details the organisation of Montessori schools worldwide and the structure of a typical day in a Montessori setting; highlights the principles of Montessori pedagogy, including the tools and strategies employed by its practitioners; considers how and what children learn in a Montessori setting and the links with EYFS 2017; includes new benefits and challenges of the Montessori approach to children's lives. Understanding the Montessori Approach provides an accessible overview of this major pedagogical influence on early years practice, supported by case studies, examples, summaries and reflective practice questions. This new edition not only highlights the core ideas that practitioners should consider when reviewing and reflecting on their own practice, but accomodates revisions to educational curriculum and policy in order to serve as an invaluable resource for students and practitioners alike.

Understanding the Reggio Approach is a much needed source of information for those wishing to extend and consolidate their understanding of the Reggio Approach. It will enable the reader to analyse the essential elements of this approach to early childhood and its relationship to quality early years practice.

The book describes the key features of the Reggio Approach to early childhood including the environment, creativity, relationships and documentation alongside examples from infant-toddler centres and preschools in Reggio Emilia. This new edition has been fully updated with the latest developments and features:

• A new chapter on the thinking and work of Loris Malaguzzi
• A new chapter on the future for educators in Reggio Emilia and the implications for practice in the UK
• Key points to highlight the ideas that practitioners should consider when reviewing and reflecting on their practice
• Reflections that can be used as the basis for continuing professional development and action research.

Written to support the work of all those in the field of early education and childcare, this is a vital text for students, early years and childcare practitioners, teachers, Early Years Professionals, Children s Centre professionals, lecturers, advisory teachers and setting managers. "

Playing with light is a magical experience for children and adults alike. Making the most of Light and Mirrors has been specially written to celebrate the wonderful ideas and theories that babies and young children demonstrate on a daily basis, as they play and explore the world around them. Each of the scenarios in this book, accompanied by stunning full colour photographs, shows how the use of reclaimed and natural materials can support play and active learning, exploration and investigation and creativity and critical thinking across the six areas of learning of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Through easily understood text and colour photographs, this book provides both photographic and written support for early years professionals wishing to develop their understanding of: - the role of the creative practitioner - a creative learning environment - child-initiated and adult- led experiences - the value of open- ended resources - the use of photographs in observational assessment

Reclaimed and natural materials, in all their variety of colours, shapes, sizes, textures and origins, are fascinating and intriguing to children of all ages! This book has been specifically written to celebrate the wonderful ideas and theories that babies and young children demonstrate on a daily basis, as they play and explore the world around them. Each of the scenarios in this book, accompanied by stunning full colour photographs, shows how the use of reclaimed and natural materials can support play and active learning, exploration and investigation and creativity and critical thinking across the six areas of learning of the Early Years Foudation Stage. Through easily understood text and colour photographs, this book provides both photographic and written support for early years professionals wishing to develop their understanding of: - the role of the creative practitioner - a creative learning environment - child-initiated and adult- led experiences - the value of open- ended resources - the use of photographs in observational assessment

Giving early years practitioners and students the confidence to effectively support scientific exploration and investigation with young children, this book explains the science behind young children's knowledge and understanding of the world. Linking theory to good early years practice, the emphasis throughout the book is on recognizing young children as competent, creative thinkers and building on their ideas. The reader is encouraged to think carefully about the role of the adult in supporting child-initiated learning and discovery by providing open ended resources, asking productive questions and observing carefully. The authors provide essential background information for all the key areas of scientific knowledge supported by practical ideas suitable for babies, toddlers and children aged 3 to 5 years. For each of these ideas, practice and theory are linked by highlighting the skills, attitudes and dispositions to observe and the questions to ask to challenge young children's thinking and plan for the next stages in their learning. Chapters cover: - the place of science in early years curricula in the UK - the processes of science and the role of the adult in supporting young children's scientific learning - using open ended resources to create a science-rich environment - essential background knowledge, covering all areas of early years science - ideas to use as starting points for exploration and investigation, indoors and outdoors - pointers for observational assessment and planning - suppliers of resources and equipment By making clear links to practice, and providing ideas to use with babies and toddlers as well as with 3-5 year old children, this book enables the reader to fully exploit the potential for exploration and investigation in any early years setting. Pat Brunton and Linda Thornton are both Education Consultants based in Cheltenham. They run their own training and consultancy company alc associates, and edit Early Years Update.

This exciting new book in the 'Making the most of' series shows the value of outdoor as well as indoor learning environments, giving children access to an enabling environment that will engage them and provide opportunities to extend their learning. The book demonstrates how outdoor spaces, both in the setting and further afield, can add richness to the learning environment setting's provide for very young children.