‘I would recommend this book to students and trainees who wish to extend their knowledge and understanding of early years practice beyond level 3. This book is accessible, up to date and focuses on translating theory into practice, incorporating the essential higher order skill of reflection. The pedagogical foundations within place children firmly at the centre, whilst acknowledging the highly influential early years practitioner in the wider context of family, community and inclusive practice.’ Sarah Barton, Senior Lecturer and EY ITT Programme Leader, School of Education and Continuing Studies, University of Portsmouth Are you studying to become an early years teacher or educator, or studying for an early years degree, and looking for a book to guide you through your qualification? With stories of practice, questions for reflection, further reading and links to the Teachers’ Standards (Early Years), this book links professional practice with theory and research and will help you: · understand how children learn and develop · engage with the curriculum and the practice of teaching · learn more about the structure and reality of early years provision and practice for children aged from 0–8 years · develop ways to reflect upon your practice · develop professional skills and attributes needed to take a leading role · understand how to apply all of this to practice. This core textbook is ideal for students of early years and early childhood courses and will support you in your practice in the early years.

This fully revised edition of Early Years Practice: Getting It Right From the Start integrates theory and practice and expands on the topics of early childhood practice as located within the context of international curriculum frameworks including Aistear, the Irish framework. With two new chapters it introduces readers to the complexities and possibilities of a play-based pedagogy and the importance of pedagogical leadership. Drawing on recent international scholarship, the book pays particular attention to the role of outdoor play and learning and the impact of digital technologies. It considers how best to manage the competing demands, challenges and tensions that affect the daily experiences of educators and children in contemporary society. This new edition also revises the original text with expanded references on topics such as the ecology of early childhood settings, education for sustainability, developmental psychology, education and neuroscience. This timely text also reviews international literature from both research and practice, strengthens understandings of the key role of relationships to quality practice and the effects on the development and learning of young children. All the chapters provide specific examples of good practice with strategies and suggestions aimed at enhancing the overall experience of early childhood settings for both educators and children. The information collected and explored in the book can be used by lecturers and educators alike to stimulate conversation, guide reflection and support the profession of early childhood educators to collectively work towards achieving, supporting and sustaining high-quality early years practice that adds constructively to the lives of babies and young children.

Pedagogical documentation is a vital method of assessing and observing young children, and is a practice that enables practitioners, families and children to learn alongside each other. This book draws on the projects and experiences of senior researchers from nations including Australia, Canada, Sweden, Singapore, the UK and the USA to highlight multiple approaches to pedagogical documentation. Topics explored include: using video in pedagogical documentation making the most of outdoor learning environments developing pedagogical documentation within curriculum frameworks the relationship with Early Years transitions the potential of pedagogical documentation for leadership enactment. The book offers guidance, support and inspiration to practitioners and researchers on how to implement meaningful and sustainable child-focused observation in early years contexts.

Have you ever wondered what the Montessori approach is all about and whether it can be used to benefit the young children in your setting? This book will answer all your questions and more. It includes: details about the Montessori approach examples from specialist Montessori schools and nurseries examples of non-specialist settings implementing Montessori principles for the benefit of the children practical activities advice on planning and assessment methods.

This is a practical, accessible guide to early years practice. The author examines current theories about how children learn best and focuses on how we can support and extend the learning of young children. This fully revised edition discusses Birth to Three Matters, the new Childcare Bill and the development of children's centres, and has additional focus on the Foundation Stage Profile Packed full with case studies, the book offers: practical advice on how to successfully involve parents as equal partners in the education of their children guidance to ensure that the activities and support offered to young children will promote learning across a broad and balanced Early Years curriculum a focus on special needs, multiculturalism and multilingualism, play and culture, and the importance of interactions with adults and with peers. Essential reading for students on Early Years courses, this book is also invaluable for practitioners, who can use this text as the starting point for developing their own methods within the frameworks of statutory documents relating to Early Years education.

Evaluating Early Years Practice in Your School focuses on raising Early Years practitioners' confidence so that they worry less and achieve more. Linked to the teaching standards and the Ofsted framework, this invaluable guide looks at ways that teachers can evaluate their own EYFS practice to reduce unnecessary workload and allow for more 'hands-on' teaching and learning. Should children in Reception classes attend school assemblies? Should young children be taught to write in nursery? Should practitioners' plans be based on young children's specific interests or should they look to meet the needs of individuals entering Early Years settings with speech and language delay or autism? Early Years specialist Ann Langston considers all of these questions and more to present simple solutions for teachers and leaders on what to plan, what assessments are needed and how to approach teaching and learning. With chapters on observation and assessment, continuous provision, outdoor learning, transition, and internal and external evaluation, this book is ideal for all Early Years practitioners and leaders looking at ways to reflect on their approach to teaching and feel confident about their own judgements and the effectiveness of their practice.

This book explores learning in the early years and emphasises the importance of learning in social contexts, through the senses and within close relationships. It moves away from the focus on ‘learning’ as the acquisition of knowledge, and instead emphasises the importance of personal, social and emotional development in early years education. Arguing that young children learn best when they are supported by reliable, engaged and attentive people who know them well, this book challenges readers to reflect on their own practice and think about how emotions play a part in young children’s learning and development. Each chapter of this book discusses a different aspect of emotional, sensory and social learning, from philosophical perspectives on learning, leadership and inclusive practice, to the importance of promoting the development of children’s emotional intelligence, forming close attachments to children, and encouraging them to learn through their senses. The reader is provided with a wealth of ideas and examples for application in the classroom. Numerous practical examples, reference to contemporary research, and the authors’ acknowledgement of the challenges faced by practitioners make this an inspiring and pertinent resource for new and experienced teachers and practitioners, as well as trainees and students in the fields of early years and primary education. Readers will develop the skills needed to engage in outstanding, learning-focused practice.

This easy-to-read series provides an introduction to some of the most important early years philosophies and shows how they can be incorporated into your setting. Each book provides: an outline of the background to the approach clear explanations of the relevance to contemporary thinking suggestions to help you plan a successful learning environment examples of what the individual approach can look like in practice. These convenient guides are essential to early years practitioners, students and parents who wish to fully understand what each approach means to their setting and children. How has Forest School helped to change attitudes about risk and challenge in the early years? What are the benefits of using this approach for children’s development, health and overall wellbeing? Bringing the Forest School Approach to your Early Years Practice provides an accessible introduction to Forest School practice. It identifies the key issues involved in setting up, running and managing a Forest school environment and offers clear guidance on resources, staffing and space required for successful play and learning outdoors. Including links to the Early Years Foundation Stage and a wide range of case studies, the book covers: The beginnings of Forest School and how practice has developed Child centred play and learning that allows for risk taking and challenge Planning for children’s individual needs, learning styles and schemas The learning environment The role of the adult including health and safety and children’s welfare. Full of practical advice, this convenient guide will help practitioners to deliver new, exciting and inspiring opportunities for the children they care for.

Have you ever wondered what the Reggio approach is really all about, why it works, and how it can be used to benefit the young children in your setting? Well this book will answer all your questions and more!

This work looks at the founder of the kindergarten and his profound influence on provision and practice for young children today. It looks at Froebel's theory of a garden for children and why he believed that play is central to young children's learning.