An Introduction to Early Childhood Studies

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 ChildhoodChildhood in Different Cultures - Joanne WestwoodChildhood through the Ages - Yordanka ValkanovaSociology of Childhood - Nigel ThomasThe Globalisation of Early Childhood Education and Care - Helen PennChildhood in the Digital Age - Jackie MarshPart II: The Developing ChildThinking and Cognitive Development in Young Children - Ruth FordBabies′ and Young Childrens′ Social and Emotional Development - Tricia David with Sacha PowellLanguage Development in the Young Child - Thea Cameron-FaulknerPlay and Development in Early Childhood - Justine HowardCultural-Historical Theories of Child Development - Marilyn FleerPart III: Policy and Provision for Young ChildrenEarly Childhood Policy and Services - Sonia JacksonChildren′s Rights and the Law - Nigel ThomasEarly Childhood Education (ECE) - Iram Siraj-BlatchfordChild Welfare and Protection - Dendy PlattChildren′s Health and Wellbeing - Sally RobinsonInclusive Policy and Practice - Siobhan O′ConnorPart IV: Developing Effective PracticeObserving Children to Improve Practice - Helen MoylettUndertaking Research with Young Children - Alison ClarkIs Working Together Working? - Angela AnningEffective Early Childhood Leadership - Carol AubreyEarly Childhood Education for Sustainability - Nicola KempOpening 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.