Providing business management procedures for the early childhood industry, The A2Z of Early Childhood Management offers 26 proven management techniques that will put you and your staff on the road of success. Unlike other management guides this book is designed for all levels of childhood careers, which includes; students, early, middle, and seasoned professional levels. With fewer than 50 pages, this can be read from start to finish in an hour or less and is a great resource tool.

**Nursery World Award finalist** From a leading voice in the early years community comes an accessible, dip in, dip out guide to all the hot topics in the sector. Born from questions raised on her early years blog, June O’Sullivan brings a combination of advice, good humour and plain speaking to address themes that come up time and time again. With entries ranging from apprenticeships to inspection, pedagogy to social enterprise, this wise and entertaining book will encourage conversation and change. From nursery managers to newly qualified teachers to experienced practitioners and educators, it has something for everyone. Ideal to read with a cup of tea when you’re snatching a 10 minute break.

This indispensible guide uses a unique glossary format to explore some of the key themes in play in early childhood, many of which regularly arise for students, tutors, parents and practitioners. As well as covering key concepts, theories and influential figures in the field, the book considers important aspects of each construct and highlights the complexity of play in early childhood. Each section of the book: Outlines key aspects of a construct in relation to play Includes a wide range of references Summarizes research from an international perspective Offers insights from other well known figures with expertise in play This book takes the stance that play is vital to children’s holistic development, self-efficacy and well-being and that play, and playful learning and teaching, is the essential ingredient in order for children to develop enthusiastic dispositions to learning. This positive view of play draws on the author’s extensive experience and observations of children playing in preschool settings, early years classrooms, out in the park and in different home situations. This essential reference book is vital reading for all those working and playing with young children and students on early childhood courses. “Janet Moyles consistently provides informed and valuable insights in her writing about the contested world of play. Her work is guaranteed to be informed by watching and listening to children, by her understanding of what they say and think, as well as by her wide-ranging knowledge of significant research in the field. In this, A-Z of Play in Early Childhood, Janet demonstrates her encyclopaedic knowledge of the field which will be of enormous value to those studying play who are looking for explanations, references and cross references. Indeed, the introduction should be used as a base text for those beginning their studies of play. Janet writes in a brilliantly authoritative style as she draws in research and researchers who surround quite contentious and complex issues. This is a scholarly text and is to be trusted.” Dr Kathy Goouch, Reader in Education, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK “In this fascinating and engaging text, Janet Moyles does not attempt to define play. Rather, through a deceptively simple glossary, she illustrates and explores the complexity of play in early childhood. Each entry draws on theory and research from the UK and beyond in order to outline and summarise current thinking and to support further exploration of key ideas. This text will be invaluable to early childhood students and practitioners and to all those interested in extending their thinking about play.” Professor Trisha Maynard, Director, Research Centre for Children, Families and Communities, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK “Those of us who have prepared indexes know about the serendipity of insights gained and new connections made. Here Janet Moyles shares with us her understanding and reflection on play gleaned from many years of writing about (and indexing) play. This book certainly works a useful dictionary to remind us of what (for example) ‘epistemic play’ means, but I would advise readers to approach it more playfully. The innovative index-as-chapter-heading tempts you to flick across to other sections and Moyles’s explanations and discursive comments lead your thinking out from the particular entry into wider consideration of the importance of play. The imaginative use of photographs to illustrate entries, combined with illustrative examples, helps to make distinctions between the different types/aspects of play, and unobtrusive referencing is available for those who have been inspired to pursue particular interests further.” Dr Jan Georgeson, Research Fellow in Early Education Development, Plymouth University, UK “Janet’s brilliant idea - coupled with her characteristic meticulous application - has provided early childhood education and care with a rich treasure trove: a book to use for reference, as a starting point for reflection, a spark for debate and, importantly, a reiteration of the central role of play in the lives of children.” Tricia David, Emeritus Professor, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK

Early childhood education across the world has been influenced by the pioneering work of Maria Montessori, and this book provides a complete overview of Montessori pedagogy and practice. It considers the Montessori approach within the context of early childhood education and care, and examines it in the light of new insights from the fields of neuroscience and child development. By helping the reader understand the influence of Montessori on contemporary early years policy and practice, the book outlines ideas relevant to all early years settings, and suggests ways for all early childhood educators to apply these ideas in practice. The book looks in detail at: - the Montessori story - the child as worker and the adult as observer - developing independence and concentration - using the senses to build the foundations for learning - early communication and language - early mathematics - cultural knowledge and understanding - Maria Montessori, and other early childhood pioneers Within each chapter are definitions of the key concepts of the Montessori approach, questions for reflection and discussion, activities and suggestions for further reading. This book focuses on the 3 to 6 age range. Susan Feez is a Lecturer in the Faculty of Education at the University of New England, Armidale, Australia.

This international handbook gives a comprehensive overview of findings from longstanding and contemporary research, theory, and practices in early childhood education in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. The first volume of the handbook addresses theory, methodology, and the research activities and research needs of particular regions. The second volume examines in detail innovations and longstanding programs, curriculum and assessment, and conceptions and research into child, family and communities. The two volumes of this handbook address the current theory, methodologies and research needs of specific countries and provide insight into existing global similarities in early childhood practices. By paying special attention to what is happening in the larger world contexts, the volumes provide a representative overview of early childhood education practices and research, and redress the current North-South imbalance of published work on the subject.

This book emphasizes the significance of teaching science in early childhood classrooms, reviews the research on what young children are likely to know about science and provides key points on effectively teaching science to young children. Science education, an integral part of national and state standards for early childhood classrooms, encompasses not only content-based instruction but also process skills, creativity, experimentation and problem-solving. By introducing science in developmentally appropriate ways, we can support young children’s sensory explorations of their world and provide them with foundational knowledge and skills for lifelong science learning, as well as an appreciation of nature. This book emphasizes the significance of teaching science in early childhood classrooms, reviews the research on what young children are likely to know about science, and provides key points on effectively teaching young children science. Common research methods used in the reviewed studies are identified, methodological concerns are discussed and methodological and theoretical advances are suggested.

This open access book develops a theoretical concept of teaching that is relevant to early childhood education, and based on children’s learning and development through play. It discusses theoretical premises and research on playing and learning, and proposes the development of play-responsive didaktik. It examines the processes and products of learning and development, teaching and its phylogenetic and ontogenetic development, as well as the ‘what’ of learning and didaktik. Next, it explores the actions, objects and meaning of play and provides insight into the diversity of beliefs about the practices of play. The book presents ideas on how combined research and development projects can be carried out, providing incentive and a model for practice development and research. The second part of the book consists of empirical studies on teacher’s playing skills and examples of play with very young as well as older children.

In every classroom, there is a person who cares about the way children learn, grow, and feel—the teacher! The affirming verses and fanciful illustrations in A Teacher's Promise express what all teachers wish for the children they teach—that they develop self-confidence, perseverance, curiosity, and an enjoyment of learning. This book can help ease fears children might have about joining a new classroom or child care setting. Rachel Robertson is vice president of learning and development at Bright Horizons. Priscilla Prentice is also the illustrator of When You Just Have to Roar!

Goths, Gamers, and Grrrls: Deviance and Youth Subcultures introduces students to the sociological study of deviance, equipping them with the theoretical tools necessary to analyze various youth subcultures--and virtually any subculture--in new and fascinating ways. In this revised and updated third edition, author Ross Haenfler examines eight different youth subcultures in depth: skinheads, punk rock/hardcore/straight edge, hip hop, heavy metal, virginity pledgers, Goths, gamers and hackers, and riot grrrls. Each chapter begins with a brief description and history of the scene before exploring a specific sociological concept or theory.

There is a growing interest in understanding how early years care and education is organised and experienced internationally. This book examines key influential approaches to early years care as well as some less well-known systems from around the world. In particular the book aims to: Inform those studying early years about perspectives in other countries Encourage critical thinking about issues, influences and the complexities of early years provision around the world Promote critical reflection on students’ own provision and the current context of that provision Each chapter provides an overview of early years provision and explores historical and current influences in context, as well as offering insights into daily life through short vignettes, longer case studies and commentary from practitioners. Whilst many approaches - such as Reggio Emilia, Te Whariki and Head Start - are widely admired, it is important for reflective practitioners to understand the motivation which gave rise to these influential approaches in their original context. Additionally, broadening understanding through information on less widely known systems, the book provides students with a good grounding in the international context of early years, the provenance of different early years approaches and principles, and the influences on their own countries’ provision. Written in a straightforward and accessible style, the book is designed to meet the needs of students studying modules related to international perspectives on a range of foundation, bachelor and master’s degrees in early years. Contributors: Verity Campbell-Barr, Federica Caruso, Carmen Dalli, Rebecca Carter Dillon, Annie Davy, Chandrika Devarakonda, Alena Drzalová, Hasina Banu Ebrahim, Susan Edwards, Dora Ho, Valerie Huggins, Anne Hunt, Kerstin Kööp, Éva Kovácsné Bakoski, Caroline Leeson, Beth Marshall, Nancy McDermott, Julia Morgan, Joce Nutall, Elin Eriksen Ødegaard, Philip Selbie, Paolo Sorzio, Manabu Sumida, Keang-ieng (Peggy) Vong, Karen Wickett “The book rightly challenges common assumptions about the value of Western perspectives of ECEC and skilfully enables the reader to recognize the various social, political and economic drivers and processes that have shaped early years pedagogy on a global level.” Dr Janet Rose, Early Years Education Award Leader, Bath Spa University, UK “Given the ever increasing interest and importance of global early childhood education and care, this critically informed book offers valuable and challenging internationalised comparative arguments for students and academics at all levels.” Dr Guy Roberts-Holmes, Senior Lecturer, Early Years and Primary Education Department, University of London, UK