Previously published as The Early Years Professional’s Complete Companion, this new edition has been thoroughly updated and is the essential resource for aspiring and existing leaders of early years practice. Covering a wide range of theoretical and practical concepts, this book helps the reader consider how they can develop excellent practice within their unique setting. Divided into three distinct sections, the book begins by exploring the origins of early years practice, before discussing principles in development, social policy and child protection. The second section considers what constitutes high quality practice, and reflects on the role of emotional security, environment, and adults in shaping children’s learning and development. The third and final section examines how activities associated with continued professional development impact on teaching standards, before finishing with a discussion on international perspectives on early years practice. Key features include: New chapters on safeguarding, children’s rights, continuous professional development and international perspectives of early years practice. Chapter objectives, tasks and links to the Early Years Foundation Stage. Case studies with questions for reflection to promote critical thinking. New developments in the early years practice arena are outlined, including the emergence of Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS). This book is an essential text for those working towards qualifications in early years teaching and leading practice, and provides a flexible basis for tutors, trainers, assessors and mentors to further develop programmes of education and training. It will also appeal to teachers and practitioners interested in considering potential routes for continuing their professional development.

This Second Edition covers the mathematics needed to teach the Early Learning Goals. It has been up-dated to include new research findings as well as new topics, for example, using number lines with young children. The topics of counting, number (including early addition and subtraction), pattern, measures and shape and space are covered in detail. Each chapter contains suggestions for key questions to ask in order to encourage children to discuss their mathematics and to demonstrate what they know and understand. There are sections on developing problem-solving skills, working with parents and other adults in the nursery setting, as well as detailed charts giving ideas for activities and how to assess learning, and some activities planned in full. The final chapter gives detailed help with planning and assessment of mathematics. The book is intended for anyone working with children in the early years: teachers, nursery nurses, classroom assistants, playgroup leaders and workers, child-minders and day care staff. It is particularly suitable as a course text for those training to be teachers, either through the undergraduate route, or through a PGCE, and for those studying for early childhood degrees or diplomas.

What are the new benchmarks for the future in good early years’ provision? What should children and parents expect from practice given recent research evidence on how young children thrive? Developing and managing early years provision has changed significantly over the last few years. Parental expectations, policy creep, bureaucracy overload, inadequate training, a litigious climate, over-dependence on screens, traffic danger and child protection anxiety are among the many challenges now faced by early years providers. This timely new book explores the key issues faced by settings and what they mean for early years practice. Looking at the real evidence around children’s learning and wellbeing, parental preference and social trends, the book covers: Neuro-scientific research into the way children learn What parents know and expect Children’s wellbeing The indoor and outdoor environment Adult intervention The risk/benefit equation Nutrition, health and exercise Drawing on examples of outstanding practice from a wide range of settings, this exciting new book will help practitioners reach beyond what is expected and provide the very best for the children in their care.

The Handbook of Research on the Education of Young Children is the essential reference on research on early childhood education throughout the world. This singular resource provides a comprehensive overview of important contemporary issues as well as the information necessary to make informed judgments about these issues. The field has changed significantly since the publication of the second edition, and this third edition of the handbook takes care to address the entirety of vital new developments. A valuable tool for all those who work and study in the field of early childhood education, this volume addresses critical, cutting edge research on child development, curriculum, policy, and research and evaluation strategies. With a multitude of new and updated chapters, The Handbook of Research on the Education of Young Children, 3rd Edition makes the expanding knowledge base related to early childhood education readily available and accessible.

Early Childhood educational research is a constantly evolving field. This book brings together Cathy Nutbrown’s considerable knowledge and expertise in the field, to deliver a comprehensive and critical overview of national and international research. The strengths of various types of research, and their influence on theory, policy and practice, are identified along with new and emerging research areas, and anticipated future topics and patterns of research. Through an analytical discussion of research topics addressing Children, Adults and Pedagogy, these key areas are highlighted: - Issues in research design - Types of and trends in methodological approaches - The ethics of research With digestible chapter introductions, thinking points and suggestions for research or dissertation topics, readers are also able to locate their own work in an international landscape. This is the perfect ‘go to’ resource for all early childhood education and social science researchers. Cathy Nutbrown will be discussing ideas from Early Childhood Educational Research in Doing Your Early Years Research Project, a SAGE Masterclass for early years students and practitioners in collaboration with Kathy Brodie.

This accessible and practical book provides teachers with a tool-kit for observing and assessing children's play developed by the author after a decade of working in early years classrooms.

′This Handbook offers diverse perspectives from scholars across the globe who help us see play in new ways. At the same time the basic nature of play gives a context for us to learn new theoretical frameworks and methods. A real gem!′ - Beth Graue, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Wisconsin Center for Education Research, USA Play and learning scholarship has developed considerably over the last decade, as has the recognition of its importance to children’s learning and development. Containing chapters from highly respected researchers, whose work has been critical to building knowledge and expertise in the field, this Handbook focuses on examining historical, current and future research issues in play and learning scholarship. Organized into three sections which consider: theoretical and philosophical perspectives on play and learning play in pedagogy, curriculum and assessment play contexts. The Handbook′s breadth, clarity and rigor will make it essential reading for researchers and postgraduate students, as well as professionals with interest in this dynamic and changing field. Liz Brooker is Reader in Early Childhood in the Faculty of Children and Learning at the Institute of Education, University of London. Mindy Blaise is an Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education in the Department of Early Childhood Education at the Hong Kong Institute of Education. Susan Edwards is Associate Professor in Curriculum and Pedagogy at Australian Catholic University. This handbook′s International Advisory Board included: Jo Aliwood, The University of Newcastle, Australia Pat Broadhead, Leeds Metropolitan University, Australia Stig Brostrom, Aarhus University, Denmark Hasina Ebrahim, University of the Free State, South Africa Beth Graue, Wisconsin Center for Education Research, USA Amita Gupta, The City College of New York, CUNY, USA Marjatta Kalliala, University of Helsinki, Finland Rebecca Kantor, University of Colorado Denver, USA Colette Murphy, Trinity College, Dublin, Republic of Ireland Ellen Sandseter, Queen Maud University College of Early Childhood Education, Norway

As primary subjects are increasingly being taught on an interdisciplinary level, Russell Grigg and Sioned Hughes have created an innovative new text, Teaching Primary Humanities. This new text explores current debate, encourages reflection and provides clear guidance on planning, teaching and assessing the humanities from the Early Years to Key Stage 2. Through a blend of theory and real-life examples, Grigg and Hughes demonstrate the contribution that history, geography and religious education can make to enhancing children’s thinking, literacy, numeracy and ICT skills. Whether you are a trainee or a practitioner, this book will develop your knowledge of how young children’s understanding of place, time and community can be fostered through a play-based curriculum. It will also benefit teachers of older children looking to encourage more independent learning in their schools. About the authors: Dr Russell Grigg is Head of the South West Wales Centre of Teacher Education. He is a trained primary inspector for England and Wales. He has written widely in the field of history and primary education including Wales in the Victorian Age and Becoming an Outstanding Primary Teacher. Dr Sioned Hughes is Senior Lecturer in Initial Teacher Training at the South West Wales Centre of Teacher Education. She has published many educational materials, especially in primary geography. Her work on Patagonia was recognised by the Welsh Books Council as the ‘Bestselling Children’s Book’ in 2011.