Peter Clough

Cathy Nutbrown

This accessible introduction to the history of early childhood education emphasises the role of history and philosophy in early childhood practice today. Firmly grounded in current policy from across the UK, the text features a series of imagined conversations with key figures and pioneers, which exemplify various philosophical positions in early childhood. This second edition has been fully updated and revised in line with recent policy changes, and contains new and updated biographies of key pioneers as well as three brand new conversations with historical figures. The book is useful for a range of students of Early Childhood Education or History of Education, from first year undergraduates to PhD students. It will also be incredibly valuable to Early Years trainee teachers, practitioners and policy makers.

History, Philosophy and Experience

Early Childhood Education

Essential for anyone undertaking a dissertation or thesis, this title presents clear and straightforward information and advice on the process and functions of methodology.

A Student's Guide to Methodology

`This book examines the literacy development and assessment of children before the age of five years. It is highly relevant to all those professionally involved in assessment. Cathy Nutbrown explores the need for appropriate assessment practice to support teachers and illustrates the mismatch between the way teachers and researchers assess literacy. The book is worth buying for the final chapter alone, which provides an analysis of the newly developed Sheffield Early Literacy Development Profile. The actual tasks are included in the appendices. Thus, Cathy Nutbrown does not leave us frustrated. We are able to consider an ongoing assessment which is in tune with the best practice in teaching. This is a research text which balances theory with practical realism. It is particularly relevant today with the introduction of Baseline Assessment. Teachers and researchers will find much that they can relate to and learn from. It is clearly written and deserves to be widely read. However, it may make for uncomfortable reading as Cathy Nutbrown challenges all concerned with the assessment of early literacy development to reflect on exactly what they are doing and why′ - British Educational Research Recognising Early Literacy Development presents a new view of the many purposes of assessment in early literacy development. Issues in early literacy assessment, current assessment material, the purposes of literacy assessment, government policy, practice in schools, baseline assessment of literacy, the need for new research measures of early literacy, are all recurrent themes of the book. The author reviews and discusses three decades of policy and practice in assessing literacy development in the years 3 to 5 - from recognising in the late 1960s that literacy in these years exists, to proposals in 1997 for official assessment of literacy at 5 years.

Assessing Children′s Achievements

Recognising Early Literacy Development

This book offers an accessible critique of recent Early Childhood Educational Research, taking an international perspective, and highlighting strengths and key focus areas within the field. It will also identify areas where researchers have yet to offer significant insights that support the development of theory, policy and practice.

International Perspectives

Early Childhood Educational Research

Lesley Abbott

Since 1963, when the Italian municipality of Reggio Emilia began setting up its network of educational services for 0-6 year olds, the 'Reggio Approach' has gained worldwide recognition. Numerous visitors have been impressed by the acknowledgement given to the potential of children, the organisation and quality of the environments created, the promotion of collegiality and a climate of co-participation of families in the educational project. This book reflects the impressions and experiences of the Reggio Emilia approach gained by a range of early childhood educators following a study visit to the region. It focusses on key issues such as staffing, training, working with parents, play, learning, the culture of early childhood, and special educational needs, from a variety of perspectives and will provide a welcome challenge to thinking for both practitioners and policy makers.

Implications for Pre-school Provision

Experiencing Reggio Emilia

Katherine M. Hirst

Focusing on early childhood experiences and the factors at work, this title examines the expanding field of early childhood education and care, highlighting the critical issues to be aware of and how this can affect the child in later life.

Contemporary Research

Perspectives on Early Childhood Education

Jools Page

Ann Clare

Working with Babies and Children is essential for all who work with children under three due to its combination of theory and practice, clear writing, and pedagogical material. The Second Edition contains extensive updates on policy, new case studies, and activities from current settings. This revised edition emphasizes: child development and learning attachment/key person relationships planning the environment for babies understanding every child working with parents This book will be useful to those on initial training courses, such as Foundation degrees, NVQ, BA Education and Early Childhood Studies, and for managers and practitioners undertaking CPD.

From Birth to Three

Working with Babies and Children

Anne Morgan

Peter Hannon

`The 'Raising Early Achievement in Literacy' or REAL project was the result of a collaboration between the University of Sheffield, Sheffield LEA and schools and centres across the city of Sheffield, starting in 1995. For those interested in developing their own projects in this field it will provide essential information. It contains many examples of work carried out this in this project. Many examples are given that could prompt practitioners to identify ways in which they too could focus their own input with children or help their parent group to interact with their children's developing literacy' - Early Years Update `A "must read" for practitioners, policy makers and researchers interested in the detail and the theory underpinning this important family literacy initiative' - Neil McClelland OBE, Director, National Literacy Trust `The REAL Project is one of the best conceptualized, most intensively documented and successful British family literacy initiatives and the book provides a comprehensive overview of all aspects of this powerful project. It is essential reading for anyone working alongside families to promote children's early development' - Professor Nigel Hall, Institute of Education, Manchester Metropolitan University 'The project described in detail in this book is arguably the most important and well-researched UK initiative for developing early literacy work with parents of young children. ... Readers will find inspirational case studies ... There are illuminating insights into children's perspectives on family literacy, including good news about fathers and boys. ... Don't miss it!' - Marian Whitehead, Nursery World Anyone involved in the field of early-childhood literacy should be familiar with the work of the REAL (Raising Early Achievement in Literacy) Project. Here, leading members of the project team Cathy Nutbrown, Peter Hannon and Anne Morgan, discuss the research. An essential guide to the subject, this book will be of great practical use to all in the field of early childhood literacy: students, practitioners and course leaders on literacy and early childhood courses. The authors discuss the policy contexts of early-childhood and literacy today and use their experience of the REAL project to discuss and illustrate practical research and evaluation strategies for family literacy workers. They examine the issues from all perspectives: teachers, parents and young children. The book concludes with examples of how the theoretical framework of the REAL Project (ORIM) has been used by other practitioners and an examination of the implications of such work for the future of early-childhood and literacy policy development. The book also includes: - An informative update on research in the field - A description of the family literacy programme - Useful activities for family literacy work - Guidelines for interviewing parents and children - Suggestions for how to evaluate family literacy work - Ideas for practical sessions for professional development for family literacy workers - A Guide to further reading This is an important book and should be read by anyone wishing to keep pace with the field of family literacy in early childhood education.

Policy, Practice and Research

Early Literacy Work with Families

This book provides accounts of 12 research studies in early childhood settings and a discussion of key issues in early childhood education research. It focuses first on learning in the foundation stage and then on working with difference and diversity in preschool settings. Key themes are teaching and learning and the issues which affect them in the early years. The contributors also identify methodological concerns in researching early childhood education and offer suggestions for further progress.

Research Studies in Early Childhood Education

'This book should be required reading for all those with responsibility for children under the age of three and is the ideal guide for students on training courses...or for those pursuing continuing professional development - Early Years Educator 'All the material presented is accessible and clear...it is an invaluable source of information for further research....It comes highly recommended' - Early Years Update 'From the very first page, Cathy Nutbrown and Jools Page lay down the twin cornerstones of this fabulous book, the sheer brilliance of babies' minds and the daunting challenges facing those who work with them professionally....This is a principled book, underpinned by a commitment to advocacy and respect for under threes. Yet it is practical too, rich in case vignettes and linked reflections. I hope it will come to be regarded as required reading by those with responsibility for children under three' - Peter Elfer, Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies, Roehampton University This book is an essential companion for all who work with children under three. It makes current research accessible, and provides practical support material for curriculum, learning, teaching, planning and assessment. The authors focus on work in settings of all kinds to promote best practice and offer a high quality experience for the age range. Key features of the book are: - a theoretical foundation relevant to different social contexts - an accessible summary of research into learning and development - a review of current policies on provision - a discussion of international approaches to support learning and development - case studies and practice-based examples of approaches to developing effective and appropriate provision in group settings and home care. This book is for students on initial training courses including foundation degrees, NVQ, early childhood studies degrees and those seeking Early Years Professional Status. It is also for practitioners whether in initial training, BA and MA degrees or in continuing professional development.

Frances Atherton

This insightful text shows how the attitudes of adults in early years settings can influence practice. The authors argue for a broad definition of inclusion, not limited to those with learning difficulties or impairment, but addressing factors affecting all members of the learning community. The book shows how the lives of practitioners, parents and children have been affected by inclusive and exclusionary practices. This new and revised edition includes an increased focus on: - inclusion as a political issue - social class - poverty - children's rights - gay and lesbian parents and staff This text is essential for all early years students, practitioners and researchers who want to become familiar with current research into inclusion and to develop ways of drawing on such studies to inform and devleop their own inclusive practices. Cathy Nutbrown is Professor of Education and Director for Research at the University of Sheffield. Peter Clough is Honorary Professor of Education at the University of Sheffield Frances Atherton is Head of Department of Early Childhood Studies, at the University of Chester.

Inclusion in the Early Years

`The focus of Threads of Thinking is on children's patterns of learning and thinking, particularly schemas. However, the book as a whole is much more than that and provides material for reflection by anyone working with and for young children. Many of the examples discussed are ones considered in the First Edition, but the changes Cathy Nutbrown has made throughout the book bring it right up to date, including some speculation on the ideas of a "Foundation Stage" in England. There is much here that is valuable for reading alone, but also a lot that could be shared by groups of people, including those already working in the field as well as those in training' - International Journal of Early Years Education

Cathy Nutbrown

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