Presents an Australian perspective on the issues in expressive arts in early childhood education by authors who are researching, teaching and actively involved in the arts as theatre directors, painter designers, adjudicators, advisers, actors or arts administrators in community organizations at the national and international level. It constitutes a collective look at the arts and young children. This volume covers a wide spectrum of arts areas, including the roles of the teacher as co-worker, collaborator, guide, facilitator and stage-manager; the tertiary educator in indigenous art, improvizational drama, and movement and dance; and the early childhood adviser in national, non-commercial television production. In addition, there is discussion on the national broadcasting standards required for children's commercial television production in Australia, the value of language and literature in the lives of young children and experimental programmes for theatre companies and symphony orchestras.

Thinking Through the Arts draws together a number of different approaches to teaching young children that combine the experience of thinking with the act of expression through art. Developed as an inclusive, broad-ranging and user-friendly text, Thinking Through the Arts presents the unique insight of teachers as researchers, and counters the view that art is emotionally-based and therefore irrelevant to thinking and learning. The areas covered include drama, dance, music, arts environments, technologies, museums and galleries, literacy, cognition, international influences, curriculum development, research and practice. Early childhood and primary teachers and students alike will find this book is an invaluable source of new insights for their own teaching.

This book will help early years educators understand the nature, form, and content of the curriculum for children aged 3 to 7 and the most appropriate ways of presenting it.

This innovative and timely book explores issues and concerns surrounding Education for Sustainable Development in early childhood, providing a range of perspectives on how we can live and promote more healthy, just and sustainable lives. It examines the professional responsibility of Early Years practitioners to embed sustainability into their everyday practice and to ensure that young children are acquiring the knowledge and skills they need to become effective agents of change, committed problem-solvers and system-thinkers. Bringing together international examples of best practice, drawing on cutting-edge research, and providing an array of practical examples, chapters focus on issues such as: the historical context of Early Education for Sustainability complexities and challenges involved in implementing sustainable approaches encouraging children to contribute to an enabling society adopting environmentally sustainable approaches in Early Years settings the future of sustainability in Early Years education. This book offers essential support to Early Years educators, practitioners and students who are key players in shaping the fundamental attitudes and beliefs of our planet’s future citizens, enabling them to assume their responsibilities, now and in the future, in regard to environmental, social and economic sustainability.

This Australian text is about children’s voices – their minds, feelings, souls. It’s about how children’s voices are liberated through the arts, and how children make and communicate meaning through still and moving images, sounds, textures, gestures and the use of many other signs. It is also about how teachers, parents, peers and the community influence children’s early development, and how quality arts education in early childhood is an essential component of lifelong learning. The authors are teachers and researchers who are respected for their contributions to early childhood arts education. All of them have addressed their topics via practical examples, which are embedded in current philosophies and theories, often stemming from original research and firsthand interactions with children.

This book will explore the ways in which young children perceive themselves and are viewed by others in terms of their gendered identities as individuals and as members of society. It considers research from a variety of perspectives in the context of home/family and school. Topics covered include: * the construction of gender from the time the child is conceived * the politics of category membership * analyses of play and art making * young children's experiences with technology * the influence of popular culture on the body image * gender equity policies in early childhood education * understanding sexual orientation. An examination and reflection of the issues will enable educators to improve their practice and have a greater understanding of the families and the children whom they teach. The diverse range and content of the research will make this book a valuable resource for all those interested in the education of young children. This book covers the issue of gender expectations of children with disabilities, and also discusses young childrens' experiences with technology and the ways in which they feel about their bodies. This book will be of great interest to all early childhood educators who are concerned about the ways in which the home and school impact on the lives of young children in terms of how they view themselves and how others view them. Trainee teachers will find this book helpful in developing their own attitudes, understandings and behaviours in relation to gender equity and young children.

With the popularity and ease-of-access to internet technologies, especially social networking, a number of human-centered issues has developed including internet addiction and cyber bullying. In an effort to encourage positive behavior, it is believed that applying gaming principles to non-gaming environments through gamification can assist in improving human interaction online. Gamification for Human Factors Integration: Social, Educational, and Psychological Issues presents information and best practices for promoting positive behavior online through gamification applications in social, educational, and psychological contexts. Through up-to-date research and practical applications, educators, academicians, information technology professionals, and psychologists will gain valuable insight into human-internet interaction and a possible solution for improving the relationship between society and technology.

Now its third edition, Planning an Appropriate Curriculum in the Early Years offers a comprehensive guide for early years practitioners and students on how to plan and implement a suitable curriculum for the children in an Early Years setting. It examines the key roles and responsibilities of practitioners working in early years settings and those with responsibility for leading and managing provision for EYFS in primary schools. Fully and completely revised and updated in line with the review of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the latest research evidence, this book covers all aspects of the curriculum including: The areas of learning and development; Assessment procedures and record keeping; Leadership and management in the early years; The role played by parents and carers in children’s learning and development; Planning for child initiated learning and adult-led activities. With case studies of good practice and questions for reflective practice and group work, this fully updated best seller will be welcomed by students and practitioners looking to provide high quality and effective learning experiences for the under fives.

This book provides a timely overview of the revised Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and explores what this means for early years' pedagogy and practice. As well as discussing the philosophy and rationale underpinning the changes, there are practical suggestions to support practitioners with the implementation of the revised framework, as well as insights from experienced professionals who share their knowledge and understanding and support you in reflecting on your own principles and practice. The book: Fosters deep understanding of the revised EYFS framework Provides a valuable source of reference for early years students and practitioners Promotes and helps develop good practice in early years Offers reflections and insights from experienced professionals into key areas of practice Makes links between the EYFS and current research, theory and practice The book draws on a wealth of expertise to provide an essential handbook for all early years students, practitioners and academics who are privileged to be involved with the care and education of young children. "This contemporary and relevant text explores, from multiple perspectives, the key challenges facing early years practitioners at a time of unprecedented change in education. It systematically explores and offers insights into the many agencies including education, health and social care that work together to enable high quality early years practice to be developed. By drawing on a range of professionals in the field, it challenges the reader to critically analyse the characteristics of effective early learning and to consider the key underpinning pedagogy that informs it. It is accessible to a wide audience including students, researchers, teacher trainers and practitioners. I would strongly recommend it as a set text on our Primary and Early Years PGCE course." Derval Carey-Jenkins, Principal Lecturer: PGCE Primary and Early Years Course Leader, University of Worcester, UK "This contemporary book focusing on the new Early Years Foundation Stage is an essential read for those studying and delivering early years curriculum and pedagogy. The book draws on theory, research, policy and practice and ensures that the chapters have significance to all early years practitioners. It challenges the reader to think reflectively about the EYFS and what is appropriate provision to support and develop young children's learning. The book is effectively organised into four relevant parts and is a very accessible read, often exemplifying high quality provision through interesting research observations, case studies and scenarios." Dr Avril Brock, Principal Lecturer in Early Childhood Education, Leeds Metropolitan University, UK Contributors: Jan Ashbridge, Pat Beckley, Emma Butcher, Elizabeth Carruthers, Liz Creed, Julie Kitchen, Rachel Sparks Linfield, Estelle Martin, Jane Murray, Jackie Musgrave, Kathy Ring, Anita Soni, Corinne Syrnyk