This accessible book provides a step-by-step guide to carrying out educational research within the context of early years practice. Written by an expert team of authors who have supported many students through their dissertations, it will help you learn the skills necessary to develop ownership and understanding of the research process and successfully complete your dissertation or research project, while maintaining a work–life balance. The chapters cover all elements of the research process, from advice on choosing a topic and working with your supervisor, to the different research methods you may employ. Ethical considerations and advice on collecting and analysing data and presenting your findings are presented alongside exploratory tasks, proformas and reflective questions, making it a useful companion for dissertation or research project modules. Crucially, the book understands that some undergraduate students may have additional responsibilities and introduces ways to manage workloads alongside caring or work responsibilities. Aimed at those studying on Early Years Foundation Degrees or Early Childhood Studies courses, this is essential reading for all early years undergraduate students embarking on their first research project.

Provision of education for children under five has recently become a political concern. At the same time, this relatively small field has been attracting increased research attention, with many early years practitioners seeking routes to initial and higher degrees. This book offers essential guidance for researchers and newcomers to the field, outlining opportunities in research as well as useful, sensitive and appropriate methods for researching childhood education.

Using varied illustrations and case studies of contemporary projects in diverse early childhood contexts, the book addresses specific issues and challenges that you might face when conducting action research in such settings.

Recent and increasing efforts to standardize young children’s academic performance have shifted the emphases of education toward normative practices and away from qualitative, substantive intentions. Connection to human experience, compassion for societal ailments, and the joys of learning are straining under the pressure of quantitative research, competition, and test scores, exemplified by federal funding competitions and policymaking. Disrupting Early Childhood Education Research critically interrogates the traditional foundations of early childhood research practices to disrupt the status quo through imaginative, cutting-edge research in diverse U.S. and international contexts. Its chapters are driven by empirical data derived from unique research projects and a variety of contemporary methodologies that include phenomenological studies, auto-ethnographic writings, action-oriented studies, arts-based methodologies, and other innovative approaches. By giving voice to marginalized social science researchers who are active in learning, school, and early education sectors, this volume explores the meanings of actionable and everyday approaches based on the experiences of young children, their families, and educators.

Young Investigators has been expanded to guide today’s teachers through the process of conducting meaningful investigations with young children. This fourth edition of the bestseller begins with a new chapter, “How Children Really Learn,” which summarizes insights from mind-brain education research, showing how experiences firmly rooted in children’s curiosity and interest build intellectual capacity. The book then introduces the Project Approach with step-by-step guidance for incorporating child initiation and direction into curriculum while simultaneously addressing content standards. A new focus on critical Teacher Decision Points uses fresh-from-the-classroom examples to show how teachers think through project work. The emphasis on STEM experiences has been expanded to include STEAM through a new chapter, “The Role of Project Work in the Arts” This book makes project-based learning possible with the youngest children (toddlers through 2nd grade) who are not yet proficient in reading and writing, but capable of deep, focused thinking. Throughout, readers empathize with teachers’ concerns, witness how they find solutions to challenges, and feel the excitement of children during project work. Young Investigators is appropriate for teachers new to using the Project Approach, as well as for those who already have experience. Book Features: Examples of projects from child care centers and preschool, K–2, and special education classrooms.Instructions for incorporating standards and STEAM skills into project work.A variety of experiences to help children connect to the natural world. Toddler projects that reflect knowledge from recent mind-brain research.Tools for integrating required curriculum goals and for assessing achievement.A Teacher Project Planning Journal that leads teachers through the major decision points of project work.Full-color photographs of children engaged with projects. A study guide for pre- and inservice teachers (available at www.tcpress.com).

Early Childhood educational research is a constantly evolving field. This book brings together Cathy Nutbrown’s considerable knowledge and expertise in the field, to deliver a comprehensive and critical overview of national and international research. The strengths of various types of research, and their influence on theory, policy and practice, are identified along with new and emerging research areas, and anticipated future topics and patterns of research. Through an analytical discussion of research topics addressing Children, Adults and Pedagogy, these key areas are highlighted: - Issues in research design - Types of and trends in methodological approaches - The ethics of research With digestible chapter introductions, thinking points and suggestions for research or dissertation topics, readers are also able to locate their own work in an international landscape. This is the perfect ‘go to’ resource for all early childhood education and social science researchers. Cathy Nutbrown will be discussing ideas from Early Childhood Educational Research in Doing Your Early Years Research Project, a SAGE Masterclass for early years students and practitioners in collaboration with Kathy Brodie.

For students of Early Childhood Studies, questions are as important as answers. What is childhood? Is childhood the same in all cultures? How do children grow and develop? What space do we make for children in our society? How do adults approach risk and what does this mean for children? Can children’s play be planned by adults? Early Childhood Studies tackles these questions and more. It explores the why, how and what of studying and working with young children and their families, considering how a range of theories can help us to identify useful questions. This is a comprehensive, up-to-date, challenging and accessible core text for the Early Childhood Studies course. Throughout, key theories and research findings are highlighted and explored to help link theory and practice. It covers the important themes of child development, communication, wellbeing, observation, working with parents, inclusive practice, leadership and research. This fourth edition has been fully updated throughout and includes new chapters on children and risk, inclusive learning environments, play and adults′ concepts of childhood.