Perspectives from Young Children on the Margins

Jane Murray is an Associate Professor based in the Centre for Education and Research at the University of Northampton, UK. Previously an early childhood teacher, she teaches, researches and publishes in the field of education, specialising in early childhood education, children’s agency and social justice. Jane is editor of the International Journal of Early Years Education. She has worked with UNICEF and with governments in countries including Ethiopia, Bhutan, Georgia and the UK.Colette Gray is a Principal Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies and Undergraduate and Postgraduate Research Methods at Stranmillis University College, Northern Ireland. Her research interests are informed by the rights-based participatory approach. Using a range of child-friendly research methods she seeks to give children a voice on matters that impact their lives. She is widely published and was until recently Head of Research Development at the University College, editor of the International Journal of Early Years Education and Visiting Professor to Marjon University, Plymouth.

• Foreword Introduction: Perspectives from young children on the margins 1. ‘Seen but not heard’: Practitioners work with poverty and the organising out of disadvantaged children’s voices and participation in the early years 2. Flourishing on the margins: a study of babies and belonging in an Australian Aboriginal community childcare centre 3. ‘Little bit afraid ‘til I found how it was’: children’s subjective early school experiences in a disadvantaged community in Ireland 4. Welcome in! How the academy can warrant recognition of young children as researchers 5. Early learning in preschool: meaningful and inclusive for all? Exploring perspectives of migrant parents and staff 6. Do young children perceive change in the daily lives of their families during participation in a therapeutic family support programme? 7. Patterns and attributes in vulnerable children’s messy play 8. Here we like playing princesses – newcomer migrant children’s transitions within day care: exploring role play as an indication of suitability and home and belonging 9. On the margins of racism, immigration and war: perspectives on risk and protection of young children of Ethiopian origin in Israel 10. Crossing cultural barriers: children’s views on the recuperative holiday experience