This study on cross cultural perspectives in child advocacy deals with various topics, including support for children's issues, the factors that influence reporting of suspected child abuse and child advocacy's application to education professionals. The study looks at issues from around the world.
This volume of the Research in Global Child Advocacy Series explores participatory methodologies and tools that involve children in research. Perspectives on the role of children have transitioned from viewing children as objects of research, to children as subjects of research, to acknowledgement of children as competent contributors and agents throughout the inquiry process. Researchers continue to explore approaches that honor the capacity of children, drawing on diverse methodologies to elevate children’s voices and actively engage them in the production of knowledge. Nonetheless, despite these developments, questions over the extent to which children can be free of adult filters and influence merits sustained scholarly attention. The book includes chapters that critically examine methodological approaches that empower children in the research process. Contributions include empirical or practitioner pieces that operate from an empowerment paradigm and demonstrate the agenic capacity of children to contribute their perspectives and voices to our understanding of childhood and children’s lives. The text also features conceptual pieces that challenge existing theoretical frameworks, critique research paradigms, and analyze dilemmas or tensions related to ethics, policy and power relations in the research process.
No topic sparks an argument faster among the American public, even with relatively apolitical people, than how their children are taught. In schools across the country, school boards, parents, teachers, and students themselves debate issues ranging from charter schools, to the first amendment rights of students, to the efficacy of the No Child Left Behind Act. School districts in Georgia and Pennsylvania have seen battles over the teaching of evolution; places as diverse as Colorado, Washington, and Kentucky have had debates over how best to protect children while at school. Battleground: Schools provides an in-depth, balanced overview of these controversial topics and enables teachers, students, and their parents to better understand the foundations of these conflicts.
Young children are coming of age surrounded by information and communication technology (ICT). ICT is a prominent force in their lives, and working with ICT can stimulate students intellectually, incite their creativity, and challenge them to apply developmentally appropriate inquiry approaches that enhance their learning experiences. Digital technologies also allow children to expand their physical space and access many online social environments that transcend time and space. However, any focus on the efficiency and effectiveness of technology applications in the early childhood years cannot overlook the potential consequences of technological development on children with regard to their social functioning, interpersonal interactions, and global understanding. In addition to evaluating technology as a tool of instruction, we must focus on educational implications and ethical issues associated with their use. This book is the fifth in the Research in Global Child Advocacy Series. The volume examines theoretical assumptions as well as the application of innovative strategies that optimize the interface between young children and ICT from a global perspective. Despite divergent perspectives, the chapter authors share a commitment to explore the immersion of ICT into the lives of young children and consider the educational value of these tools as well as the developmental appropriateness of technological affordances. This volume brings together scholars and policymakers whose rich discourse delves into questions such as: How do communication technologies benefit young children’s social and cognitive development? What standards and technical specifications are needed to effectively safeguard young children engaged with ICT? How are young children introduced to ICT? What are the challenges and risks for young children online? What programs are effective in mediating risk? What are the educational applications for ICT in early childhood? Is social networking the new "online playground” for young children? How can young children become competent users of digital technology and media? How can early childhood educators and families encourage positive usage and discourage negative social consequences associated with today’s technology? How can ICT enhance teaching and learning for young children? What ICT activities are developmentally appropriate for young children? In the book there are three primary areas of emphasis: (a) ICT as a teaching and learning tool across cultures and countries to promote the social and cognitive development of young children; (b) research on developmentally appropriate education on cybersafety and cybercitizenship; and (c) studies on the influence of digital technologies on young children, including exposure to inappropriate content and participation in online social networks. This resource offers readers a glimpse into the experience of children and the expertise of researchers and professionals who diligently work toward crafting a framework for action that reflects intercultural and cross-national initiatives. Given the role that electronic media plays in the lives of children as both an educational and entertainment tool, understanding the physical and social contexts, as well as the developmental issues, is critical to programs aiming to optimize the full potential of digital tools that support and enhance the experiences of young children.
"We have not sought in this book, to define ‘best practice’ for you, but have rather, challenged you to think about ways in which to teach intelligently, insightfully and respectfully." - How does a teacher deal with a student’s challenging behaviour in the classroom? - Is it fair to adopt information and communication technologies that favour students who have access to sophisticated devices such as tablets in their own home? - How, during the professional experience, is an education student to act when his or her beliefs about learning are not congruent with those of the supervising teacher? - Should students be grouped in terms of their ability? These and many more issues arise daily in our early childhood, primary and secondary learning environments. Teaching, 6e takes a holistic approach to classroom teaching and learning. It considers the complexities and opportunities embedded in meeting learners’ needs in diverse and ever-changing contexts. It encourages pre-service teachers to become active learners of teaching, how to think like teachers and to consider the fundamental aspects of teaching. It directs pre-service teachers to useful teaching resources, in text, in references and online. Case studies and reflection opportunities encourage pre-service teachers to consider their own strengths and issues, the diversity of learning styles in their students, their school and wider community as well as government and ethical requirements. It raises student awareness of what it really means to teach and how they can do it. Students will continue to refer to this well-researched and easy-to-use text throughout their qualification, in their professional placement and into their teaching career.
The details of the history of child advocacy have been vividly described in an article by Takanishi (1978). In reviewing her work and that of others, four historical phases in child advocacy can be identified: 1. The first period was the evolution of the concept of childhood as a distinct and separate developmental stage. Aries (1962) has described how the concept of childhood as a period different from adulthood did not evolve philosophically until the sixteenth century. It was only after that time, through the influence of Rousseau and other philosophers, that childhood was seen, at first romantically, and later more realistically, as a special time for growth and learning, with unique styles and mechanisms. 2. It was not until the nineteenth century, however, with the rapid rise that a formal effort was made to of science and major socioeconomic changes identify and try to meet children's needs. A number of organizations specifi cally devoted to children arose and attempts to help children in ways consis tent with the developing knowledge became a major social issue. Initially, the interest was in children's health with infant mortality, child labor, and safety as paramount issues. Although socioeconomic factors initiated the change (children's labor was no longer economically necessary), a basic humanistic philosophy underlay this phase. Major dedication to alleviating the pain and injury done to children who were helpless to defend themselves and who were being deprived of opportunities for growth became the goal.
Sport is often perceived as being divided into two separate domains: mass participation and elite . In many countries, policy and funding in these two fields are managed by separate agencies, and investment is often seen as a choice between the two. Elite Sport and Sport-for-All explores the points of connection and sources of tension between elite and mass participation sport. The book’s multi-disciplinary and international line-up of contributors seeks to define, examine, and develop solutions to this problematic relationship. Drawing on research and case studies from around the world—with examples from Denmark, Canada, South Africa and Israel—the book explores key contemporary issues including: does effective talent identification require depth of participation? do elite performances inspire greater participation? the role of the Paralympic movement in mass participation and elite sport; and the economic aspects of their co-existence. The first study of its kind, Elite Sport and Sport-for-All addresses a central dichotomy in sport policy and, as such, is important reading for all students, researchers, policy-makers or administrators working in sport development and policy.
As a result of the AIDS epidemic, many nations around the world have faced the demands of caring for a particularly vulnerable population of children, the orphans of parents who have died of AIDS or whose caregivers are terminally ill from the disease. Overcoming AIDS: Lessons Learned from Uganda offers an in-depth exploration of this global issue and provides a broad focus on evolving a constructive response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This collaborative resource is the fourth in the Research in Global Child Advocacy book series, and it offers readers a glimpse into the experience of HIV/AIDS infected and affected people from the perspective of researchers, policy makers, and professionals who diligently work toward crafting a framework for action that is integrated across disciplines. Despite the enormity and intensity of the problem, chapter authors share a commitment to advocate for a better world in which social and economic disparities do not preclude children from experiencing a future that is bright with potential opportunities and hope.
The Ethics of Coaching Sports features invited contributions written by prominent scholars examining a broad range of normative or evaluative issues that arise from the role of the coach in competitive sports. The collection is accessible and comprehensive, including discussion of concrete issues in coaching, such as the distribution of playing time, bullying, the implications of recent events surrounding the Pennsylvania State scandal, and Title IX and gender equity. The contributing authors also explore the larger ethical considerations of the role of the coach as educator, leader, and moral role model; special considerations when coaching children; and an examination of the failures of coaches to meet appropriate standards when they do not respect their players and their programs. Each contributor presents the main arguments and positions relevant to their chosen topic and, with the ground set, the authors then seek to advance the reader's theoretical and philosophical understanding of coaching. Robert L. Simon's introductions to each of the book's four parts help to summarize the main theses of the contributors' chapters and examine differences between how each author approaches their chosen subject. Study questions are also provided for each chapter, making The Ethics of Coaching Sports the perfect companion for classes on sports ethics and coaching.
This book provides a range of perspectives offering valuable insights, suggestions and advice to stimulate ideas for establishing, growing and modifying a Child Advocacy Centre (CAC) model and multi-agency collaboration in order to build capacity to respond to the incredibly diverse types of cases, children, youth and families that come through a CAC’s doors.