Early Childhood Studies

Fully updated in its 2nd edition, this comprehensive and accessible book is a one-stop introductory text for those entering the field of early childhood studies and early years. Scholarly, and engagingly written, it covers all the key contemporary debates from child development, language acquisition and play to professional practice, health and wellbeing and diversity and inclusion. The new edition includes two new chapters on fostering creativity and sustainability. It covers the urgent post-pandemic need for early childhood practitioners to lead the remedial work for the 2020 generation of babies who lost valuable socialisation opportunities and includes discussion of the current 'schoolification' of early childhood and the pursuit of data as a driver of education and care provision. It also examines the impact of health and income inequalities, Covid-19, global neoliberal policies and Brexit on the early childhood landscape. An excellent all rounder, it covers everything a student of early childhood will need. Each of the eighteen chapters has at least one global case study, and includes reflective exercises, topics for discussion, assignments and further reading lists. Throughout the book, vital connections are made between theory and practice to help students prepare for a career working with a diverse community of children, parents and professionals.

Jenny Willan

List of Illustrations About the Author Introduction Part I: Understanding Early Childhood Studies Chapter 1: What is Early Childhood Studies? Chapter 2: Early Childhood in a Global Context Chapter 3: Some Theories of Child Development Part II: Understanding Child Development: Supporting the Unique Child Chapter 4: Physical Development: The Interplay of Body and Brain Chapter 5: Cognitive Development Chapter 6: Socialisation, Language and Play Chapter 7: Emotional and Moral Development Part III: In the Best Interests of the Child: Shaping Children's Live Chapter 8: Children and Families in Context Chapter 9: Representations of Childhood Chapter 10: Early Education Part IV: Children in Society: Every Child Matters Chapter 11: Early Childhood Social Policy Chapter 12: Diversity and Inclusion Chapter 13: Health and Wellbeing Part V: The Children's Workforce: Professional Practice Chapter 14: Professional Practice for Early Childhood Chapter 15: Taking the Lead in Early Years Professional Practice Part VI: Research in Early Childhood: Seeing Children Differently Chapter 16: Understanding Young Children Through Observation and Assessment Chapter 17: Doing Early Childhood Research PART VII: Current Trends: Sustaining Early Childhood Provision Chapter 18: Fostering Creativity Chapter 19: A Sustainable Future References Index