An Introduction to Early Childhood Studies 4/e

Sacha Powell is Director of Education, Research and Strategy at The Froebel Trust (www.froebel.org.uk). Her research focuses on policies and practices in the care and education of babies and children up to three. Her recent publications include the Routledge International Handbook of Philosophies and Theories of Early Childhood Education and Care (2016). Sacha is Chair of the UK's Association for Professional Development in Early Years (www.tactyc.org.uk). Her first degree was in Modern Chinese with Japanese and she continues to collaborate with colleagues in early childhood settings, universities and local education bureaus in China. Dr Kate Smith is a Senior Lecturer in Childhood and Early Childhood Studies at Canterbury Christ Church University. She currently leads modules on language and literacy and supervises post-graduate and research students. As a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy she has led employment based undergraduate programmes and travelled to Sweden, Finland and Norway as part of her university role. Kate's PhD explored young children's writing activity in their first year of school. She continues to research this area and has written a number of articles about young children's literacy. Before lecturing she was a primary teacher working with children aged 3-7 in London and Kent schools with whole-school responsibility for Literacy and Art. Kate's work with school's continues in her role as a Director of a Multi Academy Trust in Kent. She is co-editor of An Introduction to Early Childhood (2018) and has recently contributed to the Birth to Five Matters documentation. She is a member of UKLA and BERA.

Part I: Perspectives on Childhood Childhood in Different Cultures - Joanne Westwood Childhood through the Ages - Yordanka Valkanova Sociology of Childhood - Nigel Thomas The Globalisation of Early Childhood Education and Care - Helen Penn Childhood in the Digital Age - Jackie Marsh Part II: The Developing Child Thinking and Cognitive Development in Young Children - Ruth Ford Babies' and Young Childrens' Social and Emotional Development - Tricia David with Sacha Powell Language Development in the Young Child - Thea Cameron-Faulkner Play and Development in Early Childhood - Justine Howard Cultural-Historical Theories of Child Development - Marilyn Fleer Part III: Policy and Provision for Young Children Early Childhood Policy and Services - Sonia Jackson Children's Rights and the Law - Nigel Thomas Early Childhood Education (ECE) - Iram Siraj-Blatchford Child Welfare and Protection - Dendy Platt Children's Health and Wellbeing - Sally Robinson Inclusive Policy and Practice - Siobhan O'Connor Part IV: Developing Effective Practice Observing Children to Improve Practice - Helen Moylett Undertaking Research with Young Children - Alison Clark Is Working Together Working? - Angela Anning Effective Early Childhood Leadership - Carol Aubrey Early Childhood Education for Sustainability - Nicola Kemp Opening Pandora's Box: Postmodernist Perspectives of Childhood - Jayne Osgood

This is a comprehensive, thought-provoking book which presents the views of a wide range of expert contributors. It provides sound overviews of the fundamental theoretical perspectives which underpin early childhood studies, but also delivers insights and observations about 21st century issues such as globalisation and sustainability. Alongside the theoretical contexts there is also recognition of the role of the practitioner and the challenges and opportunities associated with that.This range and diversity of content makes the book an excellent choice for students on undergraduate and postgraduate courses who are looking for content that will develop their knowledge and understanding and promote their ability to engage critically with relevant contemporary issues. -- Jane Dorrian This outstanding book illustrates effectively the multi-disciplinarity of the field of Early Childhood Studies. Capturing a breadth of fundamental themes through a scholarly and systematic approach, the chapters are well-structured and provide rich sources of information. The authors of the book make the concepts, theories, implications to policy and practice approachable and comprehensive, emphasising local and global trends. This book makes a unique contribution to Early Childhood Studies and readers are encouraged to find out about contemporary issues through political, social, psychological and pedagogical perspectives. I will be recommending this book to students on Early Childhood programmes. -- Zoi Nikiforidou This is the fourth edition of this excellent book. It would make perfect reading for any early childhood studies student, whether at degree level, or those beginning on an apprenticeship keen to improve their knowledge and understanding - it could well prove a valuable addition to your staff room, to be used for staff reflection, for example. -- Neil Henty