EBOOK: National Curriculum for the Early Years


Book Description

What does the National Curriculum mean to pupils and teachers at Key Stage One? How have teachers and children coped with the ongoing changes? How has subject teaching altered in infant classrooms? In A National Curriculum for the Early Years, Angela Anning and her team of contributors set out to examine these issues. Infant teachers and their pupils were the guinea pigs for the introduction of the National Curriculum over a five year period. Despite many reservations about a subject-based curriculum for young children, teachers struggled to interpret the National Curriculum Orders into a workable, if not manageable, curriculum in their classrooms. The contributors to this book, each experts in a subject discipline, have kept in close touch with practising and intending infant teachers as the National Curriculum was operationalized in primary schools. They have used their teacher networks, as well as research evidence, to tap into the strategies used by infant teachers to cope with the planning, delivery and assessment of the National Curriculum subjects and the effects of government policy changes on young children's learning. Together the contributors provide a timely analysis of subject discipline based education for young children and look ahead to the prospects for those subjects at Key Stage One in the second half of the 1990s. This book will be essential reading for anyone involved in the education of young children.




Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age 8, Fourth Edition (Fully Revised and Updated)


Book Description

The long-awaited new edition of NAEYC's book Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs is here, fully revised and updated! Since the first edition in 1987, it has been an essential resource for the early childhood education field. Early childhood educators have a professional responsibility to plan and implement intentional, developmentally appropriate learning experiences that promote the social and emotional development, physical development and health, cognitive development, and general learning competencies of each child served. But what is developmentally appropriate practice (DAP)? DAP is a framework designed to promote young children's optimal learning and development through a strengths-based approach to joyful, engaged learning. As educators make decisions to support each child's learning and development, they consider what they know about (1) commonality in children's development and learning, (2) each child as an individual (within the context of their family and community), and (3) everything discernible about the social and cultural contexts for each child, each educator, and the program as a whole. This latest edition of the book is fully revised to underscore the critical role social and cultural contexts play in child development and learning, including new research about implicit bias and teachers' own context and consideration of advances in neuroscience. Educators implement developmentally appropriate practice by recognizing the many assets all young children bring to the early learning program as individuals and as members of families and communities. They also develop an awareness of their own context. Building on each child's strengths, educators design and implement learning settings to help each child achieve their full potential across all domains of development and across all content areas.




Advancing Knowledge and Building Capacity for Early Childhood Research


Book Description

This volume employs a multidisciplinary approach to research on a high-profile topic very much on the agenda of state and national policy leaders: early childhood development and education. It aims to reflect how scholarly perspectives shape the contours of knowledge generation, and to illuminate the gaps that prevent productive interchange among scholars who value equity in the opportunities available to young children, their families, and teachers/caregivers. The editors and authors identify and prioritize critical research areas; assess the state of the field in terms of promising research designs and methodologies; and identify capacity-building needs and potential cross-group collaborations.




Emergent Curriculum in Early Childhood Settings


Book Description

Develop a curriculum inspired by children's emerging interests. Create an environment where children learn through play, inquiry, and exploration. This book explores the components of emergent curriculum and how its practices can improve the educational culture of early childhood programs. The updated edition includes new information on exploration of inquiry-based practice; reexamination of circle time and scripts for routines; expansion of invitations, including invitations for children learning a second language; new photos and documentation, and inclusion of Reggio Emilia. Susan Stacey has worked in the field of early childhood for over thirty-five years, as an early childhood educator, director, and practicum advisor. She obtained her Master's degree at Pacific Oaks College, Pasadena, California. Stacey frequently presents across North America about emergent curriculum, reflective and responsive practices, inquiry, documentation, and the role of the arts in early childhood education. She teaches adult early childhood education students at the Nova Scotia College of Early Childhood Education, and belongs to several professional organizations such as National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Canadian Childcare Federation. Stacey has presented frequently at NAEYC conferences, and has been published in Young Children, Young Exceptional Children, and Exchange. Her books with Redleaf include Emergent Curriculum in Early Childhood Settings, The Unscripted Classroom, and Pedagogical Documentation in Early Childhood.




Teaching and Learning in the Early Years


Book Description

This best-selling text book provides a broad-ranging and up-to-date review of thinking and best practice within nursery and infant education. Written around the basic truth that an effective early years curriculum must start with the children, their needs and their potential, the contributors to this classic text acknowledge that learning must have a strong element of fun, wonder and excitement. Fully revised and updated in light of recent changes to the Early Years curriculum, with brand new chapters on assessment, communication, writing, creativity and diversity, the contributors address a range of fundamental issues and principles, including: an analysis of research into how children learn; discussions of issues such as classroom organisation, curriculum management, and assessment; a detailed section on play and language; chapters covering individual curriculum areas, including new chapters on music and PSHE. Each chapter combines a review of important principles with practical and inspiring classroom examples throughout. It is essential reading for all Foundations Stage and KS1 trainee teachers, their tutors and mentors, and serving teachers working in the 3-7 age range who wish to reflect upon and develop their practice.




EBOOK: FIRST YEARS AT SCHOOL


Book Description

Review of 1st edition "I found the whole account a model of clarity with a good blend of theory and practice which many authors would do well to note" Ted Wragg, TES The First Years at School (2nd Edn) is a practical and reflective discussion of the education of 4 to 8 year olds based on a sympathetic recognition of the complexities of being an early years teacher. Angela Anning begins by reviewing the historical and ideological traditions of British infant and primary schools, tracing how we have reached the position where teachers feel themselves to be torn between child-centered and utilitarian demands in educating young children. She then provides a detailed and authoritative critique of recent thinking about the cognitive, social and emotional development of children, and explores the complexities of teachers' roles. She discusses the organization of the classroom, the structuring of learning in the school day and the content of the curriculum. She tackles the implications of the series of changes in the National Curriculum Orders and the national assessment systems for seven year olds and their impact on pre-fives and children with special educational needs. The second edition brings the debate about the post Dearing Key Stage One curriculum and its implications for pre-school education bang up to date. This will be vital reading for both student and practising teachers of young children.




EBOOK: The New Early Years Foundation Stage: Changes, Challenges and Reflections


Book Description

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




EBOOK: EFFECTIVE EARLY YEARS EDUCATION


Book Description

In this concise and accessible guide, the authors are sympathetic to the particular demands of teaching three to eight year olds and offer practical solutions to the complex issues that are currently faced by early years educators. In recognizing the demands on practitioners, they provide new and challenging frameworks for an understanding of the practice of teaching young children and draw upon international research to offer a sound model of early years subject-structured teaching which has the quality of children's learning at its centre. Their aim is to support teacher expertise through stimulating teachers' thinking about children's development, motivation, ways of learning and the subjects they teach. These topics are clearly set in the complex institutional settings in which practitioners work and ways of taking and evaluating action are offered.




EBOOK: Quality Education in the Early Years


Book Description

This volume identifies and explores high quality work (and what shapes it) in early years education. It shows us children and adults variously working and playing, talking and communicating, learning and laughing, caring and sharing in a rich tapestry of case studies which highlight quality experiences and interactions. Every chapter is based around a particular case study, each one tackling a different issue: the curriculum, play, assessment, roles and relationships, special needs, partnerships with parents and equal opportunities. All the writers work together in early years education on a day-to-day basis enabling them to pool their different expertise to create a balanced but challenging approach. They give inspiring examples of, and outline underlying principles for, quality work and ask important questions of all those involved in the education and care of young children.




Planning an Appropriate Curriculum in the Early Years


Book Description

Now its fourth 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. Completely revised and updated in line with the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, latest research evidence and OFSTED requirements, this book covers the following aspects of the Early Years including: what we mean by planning an appropriate curriculum in the early years; transition from nursery to school and into Year 1; defining quality learning and play in the early years assessment procedures and examples; integration of two-year-olds into school; the role played by parents and carers in children’s learning and development; the ways in which vulnerable children are provided for; examples of planning material developed by practitioners. With case studies of good practice and questions for reflective practice and group work, this timely fourth edition will be welcomed by students and practitioners looking to provide high quality and effective learning experiences for the under-fives.