Provision of education for children under five has recently become a political concern. At the same time, this relatively small field has been attracting increased research attention, with many early years practitioners seeking routes to initial and higher degrees. This book offers essential guidance for researchers and newcomers to the field, outlining opportunities in research as well as useful, sensitive and appropriate methods for researching childhood education.

With 1994 designated the United Nations Year of the Family, young children and their relationship with parents and carers is firmly back on the political agenda. Amongst recent legislation to meet this agenda in Britain is the Children Act 1989. The Act seeks to improve the position and perception of children in society, by stressing the rights of children and the responsibilities that parents and the caring professions have towards them. Working Together For Young Children addresses the central issues facing young children and their families in the light of this new social and political climate. The contributors - experienced in the fields of health, education, social and voluntary services - provide information, research evidence and ideas about practice in the light of recent legislative reform. Emphasising the need for continuity, comprehensiveness and collaboration at all levels of care provision, different chapters explore the services directed at children `in need' as well as children in general.

With 1994 designated the United Nations Year of the Family, young children and their relationship with parents and carers is back on the political agenda. Amongst recent legislation to meet this agenda in Britain is the Children Act 1989. The Act seeks to improve the position and perception of children in society, by stressing the rights of children and the responsibilities that parents and the caring professions have towards them "Working Together For Young Children" addresses the central issues facing young children and their families today. The contributors - experienced in the fields of health, education, social and voluntary services - provide information, research evidence and ideas about practice in the light of recent legislative reform. Emphasizing collaboration at all levels of care provision, different chapters explore the services directed at children "in need" as well as children in general.

`Tricia David starts the book off with a commitment to the importance of relationships. "The impact of emotional aspects of a school or nursery situation has long been neglected in the UK, as is amply demonstrated by the list of criteria for judging the quality of teaching drawn from OfSTED critieria". Amen to that' - Times Educational Supplement, Friday Magazine `Teaching Young Children is essential reading for early years teacher trainers and anyone working with young children from birth to eight years old. It is an excellent companion volume to one of David's other books, Young Children Learning. David's many contributions to the literature in early years education has focused on the ways in which societies treat and educate young children. Teaching Young Children is an evidence- based book which raises important questions concerning the lives of young children and answers them in terms of the values underlying our society. David and her colleagues at the Centre for International Studies in Early Childhood have written a compelling book. Teaching Young Children is a valuable resource and a "must read" for those who care about the lives of our youngest citizens' - International Journal of Early Years Education Teaching Young Children will help students and experienced practitioners; to reflect on their own practice; observe what is happening in their own and others' settings; consider ways of developing their pedagogy in the light of evidence from research and their own systematic explorations, thus promoting evidence- based practice. Several chapters consider thinking and practice concerning young children' ;learning in a range of curriculum areas : language,; the arts; mathematics; physical education; IT; design and technology; science and geography. Other chapters deal with assessment, the professional development of educators and teachers; inspections, play, special educational needs; and evaluating policy and practice. Written by experienced practitioners from the centre for International Studies in early childhood, Teaching Young Children shows that in the earliest years of childhood, all children should experience the delight which can be part of effective pedagogy - pedagogy which takes account of the child's individuality and development, in the context of changing socio-cultural constructions of childhood.

The Routledge Handbook of Philosophies and Theories of Early Childhood Education and Care brings together leading writers in the field to provide a much-needed, authoritative guide to the major philosophies and theories which have shaped approaches to Early Childhood Education and Care. Providing a detailed overview of key concepts, debates and practical challenges, the handbook combines theoretical acumen with specific examples to show how philosophies and theories have evolved over the centuries and their impact on policy and society. It examines the ways in which societies define and make sense of childhood and the factors that influence the development of philosophies about young children and their learning. The collection offers an insight into the key theorists and considers how the economics and politics of their time and personal ideology influenced their ideas about childhood. It looks at curricula and provision which have proved inspirational and how these have impacted on policy and practice in different parts of the world. The handbook also explores alternative and perhaps less familiar philosophies and ideas about babies and young children, their place in society and the ways in which it might be appropriate to educate them Bringing together specially commissioned pieces by a range of international authors, this handbook will enable academics, research students, practitioners and policy-makers to reflect on their own understandings and approaches, as well as the assumptions made in their own and other societies.

`Its clear style and comprehensive coverage make this book an important resource for those researching child care and education practices in the European Union' - NNEB News `This book would be a useful "quick reference" addition to the library of anyone interested in international issues in education' - International Journal of Early Years Education `This study provides rigorous and incisive analysis of the data in relation to the conditions existing in each of the member states included in the work' - Studies in Education `The book is accessible and informative, with a wealth of data which are clearly presented. It will be useful to further and higher education courses for all adults who work with young children' - Educational Psychology This book is written by leading representatives in the field of early childhood from eight European countries - Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. The contributors provide an analysis of the history, philosophy and politics of the forms of provision for young children in their own countries, and the extent to which that provision is deemed to be educational in its general aims.

`I particularly enjoyed Judith Roden's chapter "Young Children Are Natural Scientists" especially her thoughts on children's drawings, which puncture some popular assumptions' - Times Educational Supplement, Friday Magazine `This expertly argued and fascinating book seeks to redress the balance; it places the child firmly at the centre of the educational process and examines in detail the many and varied factors (such as health and physical development, play, stress, and early intervention) which affect the way in which the young child learns and develops' - Who Minds `Tricia David, an internationally recognized expert in early years education, has brought together 11 tutors from Canterbury Christ Church University College to "encourage debate and disagreement".... It has... some absorbing and helpful contributions which both bring forward the debate in early years education and also may cause readers to reappraise their own practice, possibly as a result of disagreeing with one or other contributors' - International Journal of Early Years Education Young Children Learning brings together current thinking on young children's learning, with ideas about the curriculum for children aged 0 to eight years old. Areas covered in this book include: play; health and physical development; early intervention; stress; children understanding their worlds; bilingualism; children's spiritual development; national identity; young children as natural scientists; assessing learning; the needs of parents, children and teachers; and childhood in changing societies. Written by experienced practitioners from the centre for International Studies in early childhood, Young Children Learning shows that in the earliest years of childhood, all children should experience the delight which can be part of effective pedagogy - pedagogy which takes account of the child's individuality and development, in the context of changing socio-cultural constructions of childhood.

`Provides a useful overview of developments in early childhood education research in the countries included and interesting comparative data for further study and analysis. It should prove a useful resource book for the growing number of early childhood professionals and practitioners identified in the book, who are contributing to or have the potential to contribute to research in this field'- International Journal of Early Years Education Providing an overview of early childhood education research, the contributors to to this book provide information on: who undertakes research; where findings are published; their impact on the field; levels of research funding; and links between researchers. The book highlights the main research agendas of the respective countries, and includes a special chapter on the strengths, weaknesses and future of comparative research in education. This book is written by leading representatives of the field of early childhood education and research in eight European Countries - Denmark, France, Greece, Ireland, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdon. It builds on the earlier publication edited by Tricia David, Educational Provision for Our Youngest Children: European Perspectives, which provided information about early childhood education systems and their histories in different countries.