Working with the Under-threes: Responding to Children's Needs focuses upon ways in which researchers, parents and practitioners seek to meet the diverse needs of young children in specific ways. Important questions are raised with regard to children's rights and entitlement, and ways in which early interactions with people, environment, culture, curriculum and context help to shape the educational lives of children under 3. Working with the under threes places a special responsibility on adults to both recognise and respond appropriately to their rapidly changing needs. A range of contributors share their experience and expertise in chapters which focus on adults working with children in a range of contexts. Early interactions take place in a variety of ways and contributors to the book explore opportunities which allow adults to respond to children's needs, particularly with reference to the development of the child's self concept. Different perspectives on developing children's language and literacy skills are offered, together with a focus on communication through creative and aesthetic experiences. Contributions by parents, practitioners and trainers offer perspectives which will challenge and provoke readers to reflect on their own experiences and practice. The book is intended for all those training or working with the under threes, including parents and other carers. The companion Early Interactions volume, also edited by Lesley Abbott and Helen Moylett, is entitled Working with the Under-3s: Training and Professional Development.

This go-to guide for educators helping children who have experienced trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) provides accessible information paired with practical, adaptable strategies.

In order to do justice to the range of issues surrounding the care and education of the under threes and to meet the many and varied needs of the adults who work with them two books have been written under the title Early Interactions. The books incorporate the views of a wide range of people with a wealth of experience in the early years field as both practitioners and trainers. They are intended as an accessible, informative and challenging resource for all those involved in the care and education of children under three. Multiprofessional and interdisciplinary team work is essential in working with young children and their families and as the Rumbold Report (1990) emphasises - "no one person will possess all the knowledge and skills required for this important responsibility". The books provide a range of perspectives and will appeal equally to professionals, parents and anyone who cares about young children. They are particularly valuable as a resource for use in training at all levels. The training and support needs of Early Years workers is a key issue and provides a focus for debate in the present educational climate. Working with under threes carries a particular responsibility. The contributors to this book represent a wide range of experience and involvement as practitioners and trainers which they share in interesting and accessible chapters. The book is intended for all those responsible for, or training to work with, children under three on a variety of courses. Topics covered include - New approaches to training, continuing professional development, equal opportunities, working with parents and carers, men working with under threes, special educational needs, child protection, and the inspection process. Key issues are identified for consideration by all those working with young children.

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.

Children are already learning at birth, and they develop and learn at a rapid pace in their early years. This provides a critical foundation for lifelong progress, and the adults who provide for the care and the education of young children bear a great responsibility for their health, development, and learning. Despite the fact that they share the same objective - to nurture young children and secure their future success - the various practitioners who contribute to the care and the education of children from birth through age 8 are not acknowledged as a workforce unified by the common knowledge and competencies needed to do their jobs well. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 explores the science of child development, particularly looking at implications for the professionals who work with children. This report examines the current capacities and practices of the workforce, the settings in which they work, the policies and infrastructure that set qualifications and provide professional learning, and the government agencies and other funders who support and oversee these systems. This book then makes recommendations to improve the quality of professional practice and the practice environment for care and education professionals. These detailed recommendations create a blueprint for action that builds on a unifying foundation of child development and early learning, shared knowledge and competencies for care and education professionals, and principles for effective professional learning. Young children thrive and learn best when they have secure, positive relationships with adults who are knowledgeable about how to support their development and learning and are responsive to their individual progress. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 offers guidance on system changes to improve the quality of professional practice, specific actions to improve professional learning systems and workforce development, and research to continue to build the knowledge base in ways that will directly advance and inform future actions. The recommendations of this book provide an opportunity to improve the quality of the care and the education that children receive, and ultimately improve outcomes for children.

Working with the Under-threes: Responding to Children's Needs focuses upon ways in which researchers, parents and practitioners seek to meet the diverse needs of young children in specific ways. Important questions are raised with regard to children's rights and entitlement, and ways in which early interactions with people, environment, culture, curriculum and context help to shape the educational lives of children under 3. Working with the under threes places a special responsibility on adults to both recognise and respond appropriately to their rapidly changing needs. A range of contributors share their experience and expertise in chapters which focus on adults working with children in a range of contexts. Early interactions take place in a variety of ways and contributors to the book explore opportunities which allow adults to respond to children's needs, particularly with reference to the development of the child's self concept. Different perspectives on developing children's language and literacy skills are offered, together with a focus on communication through creative and aesthetic experiences. Contributions by parents, practitioners and trainers offer perspectives which will challenge and provoke readers to reflect on their own experiences and practice. The book is intended for all those training or working with the under threes, including parents and other carers. The companion Early Interactions volume, also edited by Lesley Abbott and Helen Moylett, is entitled Working with the Under-3s: Training and Professional Development.

This accessible book focuses on the emotional needs, experiences and development of young children, exploring the role of the practitioner in ensuring that each and every child feels loved, supported and safe; able to develop secure attachments and flourish in the first five years and beyond. Drawing upon neuro-scientific research and referencing key theories relating to attachment, and health and wellbeing, the book examines the responsibilities of the early years practitioner in supporting children to reach their full potential. The response of the adult to the emotional needs of individual children is analysed in detail, and the impacts of various experiences, cultures and contexts on a child’s emotional wellbeing are considered. With topics including safeguarding, communication, the physical environment, neurological development and Attachment Theory, readers will: learn how to respond appropriately to individual children extend their role as a Key Person and their position in a multi-professional team increase their understanding of the interaction between home and childcare settings reflect on the importance of in-depth observation, the environment and quality of care provided in their settings. Supported by rich case studies, provocations and examples of good practice to encourage reflection and improve future practice, Understanding the Emotional Needs of Children in the Early Years is an engaging and comprehensive guide for all early years practitioners, early years students and professionals including paediatric nurses, health visitors and social workers.