Understanding Early Years Inequality

by Alice Bradbury

Author	: Alice Bradbury
Publisher	: Routledge
Total Pages	: 198
Release	: 2013-09-02
Genre	: Education
ISBN	: 1136183507

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Understanding Early Years Inequality uses critical sociological perspectives to examine the impact of changing assessment policy on primary school classrooms, with a particular focus on issues of inequality. Drawing on accounts of life in early years classrooms, Alice Bradbury suggests that a specific model of the ‘good learner’ operates, and that this model works to exclude some groups of students from positions of educational success. Key themes examined throughout this book relate to: The relationship between assessment policy and children’s identities as learners; The complexity of classroom life; The power of assessment to shape definitions of ‘learning’ and ‘learners’; The impact of discourses of class, race, religion and the ‘inner city’ on how children are assessed, and how assumptions about inner city schools and low attainment can put pressure on teachers to assess children in particular ways. In this important text, the author argues that assessment policies can have a huge impact on classrooms and teachers, as well as having potentially damaging effects for young children, particularly those from minoritised and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The book explores in detail the complex interaction of education policies with discourses of attainment and expectation, and the resulting reproduction of patterns of inequality. Understanding Early Years Inequality will have an immediate impact on current debates about educational policy and practice in Early Years education, and will be of particular interest to academics and students in educational studies, sociology of education, and early childhood studies.

Cradle to Kindergarten

by Ajay Chaudry

Author	: Ajay Chaudry
Publisher	: Russell Sage Foundation
Total Pages	: 285
Release	: 2021-03-25
Genre	: Education
ISBN	: 1610449061

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Early care and education for many children in the United States is in crisis. The period between birth and kindergarten is a critical time for child development, and socioeconomic disparities that begin early in children’s lives contribute to starkly different long-term outcomes for adults. Yet, compared to other advanced economies, high-quality child care and preschool in the United States are scarce and prohibitively expensive for many middle-class and most disadvantaged families. To what extent can early-life interventions provide these children with the opportunities that their affluent peers enjoy and contribute to reduced social inequality in the long term? Cradle to Kindergarten offers a comprehensive, evidence-based strategy that diagnoses the obstacles to accessible early education and charts a path to opportunity for all children. The U.S. government invests less in children under the age of five than do most other developed nations. Most working families must seek private childcare, which means that children from low-income households, who would benefit most from high-quality early education, are the least likely to attend them. Existing policies, such as pre-kindergarten in some states are only partial solutions. To address these deficiencies, the authors propose to overhaul the early care system, beginning with a federal paid parental leave policy that provides both mothers and fathers with time and financial support after the birth of a child. They also advocate increased public benefits, including an expansion of the child care tax credit, and a new child care assurance program that subsidizes the cost of early care for low- and moderate-income families. They also propose that universal, high-quality early education in the states should start by age three, and a reform of the Head Start program that would include more intensive services for families living in areas of concentrated poverty and experiencing multiple adversities from the earliest point in these most disadvantaged children’s lives. They conclude with an implementation plan and contend that these reforms are attainable within a ten-year timeline. Reducing educational and economic inequalities requires that all children have robust opportunities to learn, fully develop their capacities, and have a fair shot at success. Cradle to Kindergarten presents a blueprint for fulfilling this promise by expanding access to educational and financial resources at a critical stage of child development.

The Early Years Handbook for Students and Practitioners

by Lyn Trodd

Author	: Lyn Trodd
Publisher	: Routledge
Total Pages	: 545
Release	: 2016-02-05
Genre	: Education
ISBN	: 1317680723

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The Early Years Handbook for Students and Practitioners is a comprehensive and accessible course text for all students studying at levels 4 and 5, including on Foundation Degrees and Early Childhood Studies degrees. Designed and written by the Chair of the SEFDEY (Sector-Endorsed Foundation Degree in Early Years) Network and a team of expert contributors, this book covers the essential skills, knowledge and understanding you need to become an inspiring and effective early years practitioner. Divided into four parts: The Student-Practitioner-Professional; The Learning and Development of Children 0-5; The Child, Family and Society; and The Senior Practitioner-Professional, the book covers all aspects of working with young children and engages you with theory that is explicitly linked to your practice. Throughout there is a strong emphasis on supporting your transition to undergraduate study, developing your academic skills and encouraging you to be an active learner. In every chapter, the book seeks to help you develop your professional identity and features: Activities to help you to reflect on your own practice ‘Provocations’ to promote discussion and debate Case study examples and photographs to illustrate key points ‘From Research to Practice’ boxes outlining key research in the field and implications for practice. The book is supported by a companion website featuring, for students, links to useful websites and video material, and an interactive flashcard glossary. Online support for lecturers includes ideas for tasks and activities to use in class and the diagrams and images in the book available to download.

Racialisation in Early Years Education

by Gina Houston

Author	: Gina Houston
Publisher	: Routledge
Total Pages	: 245
Release	: 2018-09-21
Genre	: Education
ISBN	: 1351588001

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This timely book explores the unique experiences of young black children during their first year of school and supports an understanding of how entry into the early years environment impacts on identity. Their stories emphasise the importance of listening to the voices of children themselves. A theoretical analysis of their first-hand experiences through a critical race lens illustrates how they are racialised through everyday interactions and routines. Chapters explore how personal and institutional attitudes might be reviewed to ensure that pedagogies and practices support the maintenance of black identities and challenge racism. Enabling the reader to relate to the reality of black children’s experience and offering valuable suggestions for effective anti-racist practice, chapters cover the following: the impacts of racism on black children’s newly forming identities manifestations of racism in the early years sector multiculturalism and institutional whiteness effective communication with parents racialisation in relation to intersections of class, gender and race the role of playful pedagogies and friendships to support cultural identity. This book enhances understanding of how race and racism operate across the early years sector and offers advice and reflective questions throughout. It is essential reading for students, practitioners and policymakers involved in early years provision.

Transforming Early Childhood in England:

by Claire Cameron

Author	: Claire Cameron
Publisher	: UCL Press
Total Pages	: 262
Release	: 2020-08-03
Genre	: Education
ISBN	: 1787357163

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Early childhood education and care has been a political priority in England since 1997, when government finally turned its attention to this long-neglected area. Public funding has increased, policy initiatives have proliferated and at each general election political parties aim to outbid each other in their offer to families. Transforming Early Childhood in England: Towards a Democratic Education argues that, despite this attention, the system of early childhood services remains flawed and dysfunctional. National discourse is dominated by the cost and availability of childcare at the expense of holistic education, while a hotchpotch of fragmented provision staffed by a devalued workforce struggles with a culture of targets and measurement. With such deep-rooted problems, early childhood education and care in England is beyond minor improvements. In the context of austerity measures affecting many young families, transformative change is urgent.

Essential Guides for Early Career Teachers: Teaching Early Years

by Lorna Williams

Author	: Lorna Williams
Publisher	: Critical Publishing
Total Pages	: 112
Release	: 2022-10-17
Genre	: Education
ISBN	: 1915080142

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Aimed at all beginning teachers involved in early years teaching. This text looks at the unique role of the early years teacher and outlines how you can support the development of children as unique individuals through an enabling environment, building success through effective relationships, outstanding provision and purposeful assessment. It encourages you to think about your own development in a holistic sense in order to promote outstanding professional practice. The Essential Guides for Early Career Teachers provide accessible, carefully researched, quick reads for early career teachers, covering the key topics you will encounter during your training year and first two years of teaching. They complement and are fully in line with the new Early Career Framework and are intended to assist ongoing professional development by bringing together current information and thinking on each area in one convenient place.

Understanding Early Childhood: Issues and Controversies

by Helen Penn

Author	: Helen Penn
Publisher	: McGraw-Hill Education (UK)
Total Pages	: 242
Release	: 2014-07-16
Genre	: Education
ISBN	: 0335262694

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Understanding Early Childhood is a comprehensive textbook which offers broad and insightful perspectives across a range of themes on the ways in which we understand and study young children. Engaging and clear, it provides students with a user-friendly introduction to a number of difficult concepts and theories in early childhood education, drawing on research evidence from various countries and taking an interdisciplinary approach. Revised and updated throughout, the third edition brings contemporary theories and debates bang up-to-date in a concise, accessible and yet reflective style. Unique features include: A substantial and critically informed discussion of child development An updated overview of theoretical approaches and research methodologies Considerable revisions on neuroscience and genetic research in light of recent developments Extended coverage of ethics The challenges and problematic nature of interdisciplinary working 'Main Messages' provide helpful summaries of key points 'What to Read Next' signposts stimulating reading Understanding Early Childhood is an indispensable resource for early childhood students from undergraduate to postgraduate level, and practitioners working with young children. "Understanding Early Childhood draws on Helen Penn's deep knowledge and exceptionally wide breadth of experience of this topic. This new and updated edition with its pithy explanations provides an invaluable and readable guide to concepts and theories of early childhood education." Bronwen J. Cohen, School of Social and Political Studies, The University of Edinburgh, UK "This updated and revised third edition is informative and thought provoking appealing to an international readership. Drawing from many fields of study and with reference to her own international experience and research, Professor Penn challenges existing normative conceptualisations of childhood and professional practice, standards and expectations." Theodora Papatheodorou, Education Adviser - Early Childhood Care and Development, Save the Children, UK "This book is a must read for anyone studying or working in early childhood education. The messages are applicable and have resonance across borders and boundaries, majority and minority worlds, and ethnicities." Sue Grieshaber, Chair Professor and Head, Department of Early Childhood Education, Hong Kong Institute of Education, Hong Kong "Whatever your interest in early childhood, this book should become a wise companion to whom you turn again and again for inspiration, intellectual challenge or solace. I've really enjoyed reading the new edition of Helen's book. She is such a superb author and scholar and we are incredibly fortunate to have her working in the field of early childhood." Dr Sacha Powell, Reader in Early Childhood, Research Centre for Children, Families and Communities, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK

The Early Years Teacher′s Book

by Leonie Abrahamson

Author	: Leonie Abrahamson
Publisher	: Learning Matters
Total Pages	: 547
Release	: 2015-02-10
Genre	: Education
ISBN	: 1473917484

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If you are an Early Years Teacher Trainee, this book is written for you. It will help you to successfully achieve your Early Years Teacher Status and practice with confidence. This book guides you through what you need to know about Early Years Teacher Status step-by-step. It explains how you can work to meet each of the Standards and assessment requirements. The author addresses trainees’ common concerns about early years practice, study skills and meeting EYTS requirements, as well as giving many examples of the strategies that trainees found most helpful. The chapters explore each aspect of every Standard and indicator, with notes on theory, practical tips, case studies, activities and suggestions for further reading. This book helps you to: • understand all aspects of each Standard and indicator; • link your practice to the Standards; • understand the assessment requirements and how to strengthen your evidence; • plan and track your evidence; • complete your written assignments and create your portfolio with confidence; • develop the skills needed to take on a leadership role. This book also provides support for the mentor-mentee relationship and includes guidance for mentors, teaching activities for tutors and support for assessors. This book is a valuable resource for all those involved in EYTS and will be useful for: - EYTS trainees - their mentors - their placement tutors - course lecturers - EYTS assessors

The Routledge International Handbook of Philosophies and Theories of Early Childhood Education and Care

by Tricia David

Author	: Tricia David
Publisher	: Routledge
Total Pages	: 503
Release	: 2015-10-05
Genre	: Education
ISBN	: 1317392787

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The Routledge Handbook of Philosophies and Theories of Early Childhood Education and Care brings together leading writers in the field to provide a much-needed, authoritative guide to the major philosophies and theories which have shaped approaches to Early Childhood Education and Care. Providing a detailed overview of key concepts, debates and practical challenges, the handbook combines theoretical acumen with specific examples to show how philosophies and theories have evolved over the centuries and their impact on policy and society. It examines the ways in which societies define and make sense of childhood and the factors that influence the development of philosophies about young children and their learning. The collection offers an insight into the key theorists and considers how the economics and politics of their time and personal ideology influenced their ideas about childhood. It looks at curricula and provision which have proved inspirational and how these have impacted on policy and practice in different parts of the world. The handbook also explores alternative and perhaps less familiar philosophies and ideas about babies and young children, their place in society and the ways in which it might be appropriate to educate them Bringing together specially commissioned pieces by a range of international authors, this handbook will enable academics, research students, practitioners and policy-makers to reflect on their own understandings and approaches, as well as the assumptions made in their own and other societies.