An introduction to early childhood studies / Edited by Sacha Powell & Kate Smith.

SACHA POWELL is Professor of Early Childhood Care and Education, and Director of the Research Centre for Children, Families and Communities at Canterbury Christ Church University. 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) and a member of the Research Committee of The Froebel Trust (www.froebel.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.


KATE SMITH is a Senior Lecturer within the School of Childhood and Education Sciences at Canterbury Christ Church University. Prior to working in Higher Education she was a primary school teacher in London and Kent, coordinating Art and Literacy provision. Kate?s research interests lie in young children?s activities as ?makers? and how we can enable children?s creativity, language and literacy within early education settings. Her PhD explored young children?s activity as writers in their first year of school, and she is currently researching ?playful? writing opportunities in reception and year one classrooms with a group of teachers using Froebelian principles.

Includes bibliographical references (page 271-309) and index.

Part I: Perspectives on Childhood
Joanne Westwood
Childhood in Different Cultures
Yordanka Valkanova
Childhood through the Ages
Nigel Thomas
Sociology of Childhood
Helen Penn
The Globalisation of Early Childhood Education and Care
Jackie Marsh
Childhood in the Digital Age

Part II: The Developing Child
Ruth Ford
Thinking and Cognitive Development in Young Children
Tricia David with Sacha Powell
Babies' and Young Childrens' Social and Emotional Development
Thea Cameron-Faulkner
Language Development in the Young Child
Justine Howard
Play and Development in Early Childhood
Marilyn Fleer
Cultural-Historical Theories of Child Development

Part III: Policy and Provision for Young Children
Sonia Jackson
Early Childhood Policy and Services
Nigel Thomas
Children's Rights and the Law
Iram Siraj-Blatchford
Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Dendy Platt
Child Welfare and Protection
Sally Robinson
Children's Health and Wellbeing
Siobhan O'Connor
Inclusive Policy and Practice

Part IV: Developing Effective Practice
Helen Moylett
Observing Children to Improve Practice
Alison Clark
Undertaking Research with Young Children
Angela Anning
Is Working Together Working?
Carol Aubrey
Effective Early Childhood Leadership
Nicola Kemp
Early Childhood Education for Sustainability
Jayne Osgood
Opening Pandora's Box: Postmodernist Perspectives of Childhood

This new edition of this bestselling textbook examines the key themes involved in the study of young children and childhood from a variety of disciplines and international perspectives, making essential links between theory and practice to help you apply your learning in real-life settings.

Key additions include:

the latest changes in early years policy
2 brand new chapters on Postmodernist theories in Education, and Education for Sustainable Development
A renewed emphasis on reflective practice across Part 4, supporting and encouraging your professional development

Throughout, case studies, exercises and links to further reading help you engage with key issues and test your learning, making it easier for you to get to grips with all aspects of your course.