Rachel and Margaret McMillan, Maria Montessori and Susan Isaacs have had a major impact on contemporary early years curriculum theory and practice. This new book, introduces students and practitioners to the ideas, philosophies and writings of these key early thinkers in early childhood education and show how they relate to quality early years provision today. The book explores the influences that shaped the ideas, values and beliefs of each pioneer and clearly demonstrates how they have each contributed to our knowledge of young children’s learning and development. It then examines these in the context of current policy to highlight the key ideas that practitioners should consider when reflecting on their own practice. Features include: Summaries of each pioneers‘ ideas and their influence on contemporary practice Practical examples to illustrate key principles Reflective questions to encourage practitioners to develop and improve their own practice Written to support the work of all those in the field of early childhood education, this book will be invaluable to students and practitioners that wish to fully understand the lasting legacies of these four influential women.

This accessible text provides an international study of critical educational leaders who established the foundation for Early Childhood Education across continents in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It places each pioneer within the time and culture in which they lived to help the reader understand how theories and knowledge about early years education and care have evolved over time. Early Years Pioneers in Context traces key themes such as play, child-initiated learning, working with parents, scaffolding children’s learning and the environment, enabling students to reflect on the differences and similarities between the pioneers and understand their contribution to practice today. Pioneers covered include: Frederick Froebel; Elizabeth Peabody; Susan Blow; Rudolf Steiner; Margaret McMillan; Maria Montessori Susan Isaacs; Loris Malaguzzi. Featuring student integration tasks to help the reader link key ideas to their own practice, this will be essential reading for early years students on undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses.

The chapters in this book reflect on the major shifts in the views of early childhood thinkers and educators, who have contributed to contemporary theoretical frameworks pertaining to early childhood learning. The book also revisits and critically analyses the influence of developmental theories on early childhood education, starting in the 1890s with the work of G. Stanley Hall that established the close association of early childhood education and child development. Several chapters comprise critical examinations of the fundamental influence of thinkers such as Piaget, Vygotsky, Kohlberg, Adler, Pestalozzi, Froebel, and so on, on early childhood learning. The book also contends that these theoretical conceptions of child development have heavily influenced modern views of early childhood education. This book is a significant new contribution to early childhood learning, and will be a great resource for academics, researchers, and advanced students of Education, Public Policy, History of Education, Psychology, and Sociology. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of the Early Child Development and Care.

Provides biographies and annotated bibliographies of more than 30 pioneers in early childhood education from Johann Amos Comenius (1592-1670) and John Locke (1632-1704), to Maria Montessori (1870-1952), Leland B. Jacobs (1907-1992), and Lillian Weber (1917-1994). Special attention is given to multicultural educators, including Mary Church Terrell (1863-1954) and her work with The National Association of Colored Women. Biographies are arranged alphabetically, and each is followed by annotated bibliographies of primary and secondary sources. An introductory essay briefly discusses the history of early childhood education from the 17th century to the present. The following biographies are arranged alphabetically, and each includes a brief summary of the subjects contributions to the field of early childhood education. Each biographical sketch is followed by annotated bibliography of primary and secondary sources, including obituaries, articles, dissertations, and books. Works were selected because they represent the most interesting and informative sources by and about the educators. --From publisher description.

This new edition of Cathy Nutbrown′s much loved book explains the key ideas and issues in Early Childhood clearly and concisely, keeping students up-to-date with the latest developments in the field. There are brand new entries on: - Attachment - Babies′ learning and development - Children′s Centres - Citizenship - Digital Technologies - Early Years Foundation Stage - Early Years Professional Status - Neuroscience - Sexualities The rest of the book has also been thoroughly updated and revised, and includes coverage of heuristic play, Early Literacy Development and Parental Involvement. The book offers starting points which provide a clear focus, further reading and discussion of research on thirty-five key topics. It is a must for students following courses in early childhood education and care. Professor Cathy Nutbrown directs and teaches on Masters and Doctoral programmes in Early Childhood Education at the University of Sheffield.

'This book aims high; its aspiration and rationale are to be welcomed and applauded....an original and valuable contribution to the literature of early childhood education' - Early Years '"Early Childhood Education" is an extremely valuable and informative book that emphasises the role of history and philosophy in current early childhood practices....this book is accessible, clearly structured and an essential reference for students of Childhood Studies. I would highly recommend this text as an introduction' - ESCalate 'This book makes a refreshing change to a lot of textbooks....It's easy to read, in short chunks, and you don't want to put it down. Well worth investing in this book. I would give this book 9 out of 10' - The National Childminding Association 'This book is an essential, informative read for practitioners and policymakers alike. It encourages reflection, prompts discussion and dialogue and facilitates the building of a common understanding through making us all aware of whose shoulders we are standing on' - Early Years Update 'Every Early Childhood practitioner and policy-maker should keep a copy of this book on their shelves...a thought provoking, and highly informative celebration of the ideas of our field's pioneers. If we are to understand ourselves and our times, and to provide lovingly meaningful experiences for today's young children, we need to understand their web of philosophical legacies and the links with our own' - Professor Tricia David, Emeritus Professor Canterbury Christ Church University and Honorary Emeritus Professor, University of Sheffield This book explores the ideas behind the policies and practices in Early Childhood Education to help give students and practitioners a fuller understanding of the settings in which they work. The authors bring together ideas from the work and writings of major historical figures who have significantly shaped Early Childhood current practices to illustrate the rich history of this ever developing field. Using imaginative tools to bring alive the ideas of past pioneers, the authors show how our understanding of contemporary issues has been influenced by the pioneers. The book also shows how today's practitioners themselves become the pioneers of future development. This book is for all students of Early Childhood Education including those on BA and MA courses, as well as Early Years trainee teachers. It is also relevant to practitioners involved in self - or organisational development.

Harry Morgan lays the foundations of what early childhood education is by integrating the history of the field with the philosophy and theories behind this discipline. With lucid and engaging prose, Morgan delineates the beginnings of early childhood education and how it has become an important field of study in education today. In this updated edition, a new chapter about critical race theory and its implications on early childhood education has been included.