A Critical Companion to Early Childhood
- Michael Reed - University of Worcester, UK
- Rosie Walker - Worcester University
In this stimulating and provocative book the editors have drawn together a diverse and international range of respected authors, each of whom has taken a critical approach to the contentious question of how you define and achieve quality early childhood services. It is a book designed to provoke and promote critical dialogue and discourse amongst practitioners and students through critical engagement with the position of the authors within the text. I believe anyone who reads this book will be inspired and motivated to challenge and extend their thinking and professional practice, adopting the critical stance which lies at the heart of quality services for children and families.
Professor Chris Pascal, Director of Centre for Research in Early Childhood (CREC)
Early childhood is a complex and important area of study where it is important to develop your critical thinking and reflect upon key issues. This book will help do both.
It explores interrelated topics such as:
- Child development
- Play
- Safeguarding
- Professionalism
- Curriculum and Policy
Each chapter will not only engage with what you need to know but help you develop your academic skills.
The book also comes with lots of online resources and include:
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Podcasts from the authors of each chapter so you can better understand the key concepts
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PowerPoints to help you revise the essential information
- Journal articles related to each chapter provide further reading
Michael Reed and Rosie Walker are both Senior Lecturers in Early Childhood at the Institute of Education, University of Worcester.
Supplements
Interesting but not necessary for the Foundation Degree in Early Years
Through the medium of the quality debate the reader is encouraged to consider the complexity of early childhood. The use of critical learning activities supports the reader to not only have knowledge of a subject area, but to build on that knowledge, to use the knowledge in practice, to stand back and reflect on their understanding, and ultimately to become critical thinkers.
A fantastic resource that truly engages students' critical minds. Chapters lend themselves for inquiry based learning. A very accessible book.
A book that discusses many interconnected topics from the Early Years field.
very imformative and useful book.
A book to encourage students to become the critically reflective practitoner. I particularly like the early chapters on reflective practice and thinking critically. The authors expore a range of topics and with case studies and examples from practice support the reader to become a critical thinker. A very helpful text!
An up-to-date text written by a range if authors on exciting topics. Has just been published and draws on a range of current literature and legislation.
Respected authors are represented in this text to all of which critically explore the questions surrounding ‘quality’ early childhood. Discourses engage the practitioner/student to explore their own position within the text and to extend thinking surrounding the complex challenges faced by services for children and families. A highly recommended resource.
This is another great book for students to use and analyse EYs childhood and practice. My students have found it interesting and insightful and supported them developing their critical analysis. A worthy addition to the book list.
Thank you for this inspection copy which contains a wide range of topics and will be of use on a range of modules. The short chapters will be welcomed by students new to academic reading.
