Making Sense Of Theory & Practice In Early Childhood: The Power Of Ideas

Making Sense Of Theory & Practice In Early Childhood: The Power Of Ideas

Author: Waller, Tim

Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education (UK)

Published: 2011-04-01

Total Pages: 194

ISBN-13: 0335242464

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This title offers students an overview of a range of theoretical concepts, some traditionally associated with early childhood and some less traditionally. It aims to stimulate debate and to demonstrate how theoretical thinking can inform pedagogy and research with innovative results.


Making Sense of Theory & Practice in Early Childhood

Making Sense of Theory & Practice in Early Childhood

Author: Tim Waller

Publisher: Open University Press

Published: 2011-03-01

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780335242474

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This accessible book demystifies the links between theory and practice for those studying in the field of early childhood. The book encourages those new to research to develop their investigations as straightforward narrative accounts of the phenomenon that they are investigating. Throughout the book the authors demonstrate the influence of theoretical perspectives on their own practice and research. They articulate how this adds depth to their studies by linking into wider and more enduring themes. The book is divided into two parts; part one looks at 'Community, interaction and identity' and addresses several different aspects of social constructivist theory. Each author explores, less familiar, but increasingly influential ideas emanating from Vygotskian theory. Part two explores 'Structure, power and knowledge' which includes a wider range of theoretical perspectives, that tell a more 'critical' story about how the way society is structured, influences power, institutions and individuals. These theories help the authors to describe how working practices serve some groups and disadvantage others. Each chapter includes: Theoretical concepts, which are related to practice and/or research Case studies Examples from research practice enabling readers to explore the practical application of the 'big ideas' Further reading appropriate to the theoretical construct This book is essential reading for undergraduate students and trainee teachers. Contributors: Tony Bertram, Angeliki Bitou, Liz Brooker, Sue Fawson, Rohan Jowallah, Maggie Leese, Martin Needham, Jane O’Connor, Chris Pascal, Lynn Richards, Faye Stanley, Jo Winwood, Gill Woods, Jenny Worsley - all at University of Wolverhampton except Liz Brooker, who is at the Institute of Education in London.


Rethinking Early Childhood Education

Rethinking Early Childhood Education

Author: Ann Pelo

Publisher:

Published: 2008

Total Pages: 262

ISBN-13:

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Rethinking Early Childhood Education is alive with the conviction that teaching young children involves values and vision. This anthology collects inspiring stories about social justice teaching with young children. Included here is outstanding writing from childcare teachers, early-grade public school teachers, scholars, and parents.Early childhood is when we develop our core dispositions -- the habits of thinking that shape how we live. This book shows how educators can nurture empathy, an ecological consciousness, curiosity, collaboration, and activism in young children. It invites readers to rethink early childhood education, reminding them that it is inseparable from social justice and ecological education.An outstanding resource for childcare providers, early-grade teachers, as well as teacher education and staff development programs.


The SAGE Handbook of Early Childhood Research

The SAGE Handbook of Early Childhood Research

Author: Ann Farrell

Publisher: SAGE

Published: 2015-11-10

Total Pages: 937

ISBN-13: 1473943094

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Recent decades have seen an upsurge of research with and about young children, their families and communities. The Handbook of Early Childhood Research will provide a landmark overview of the field of early childhood research and will set an agenda for early childhood research into the future. It includes 31 chapters provided by internationally recognized experts in early childhood research. The team of international contributors apply their expertise to conceptual and methodological issues in research and to relevant fields of practice and policy. The Handbook recognizes the main contexts of early childhood research: home and family contexts; out-of-home contexts such as services for young children and their families; and broader societal contexts of that evoke risk for young children. The Handbook includes sections on: the field of early childhood research and its key contributions new theories and theoretical approaches in early childhood research collecting and analysing data applications of early childhood research This Handbook will become the valuable reference text for students, practitioners and researchers from across the social sciences and beyond who are engaged in research with young children.


Making Sense of Behavior

Making Sense of Behavior

Author: William T Powers

Publisher:

Published: 2023-11-14

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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Making Sense of Behavior is the long-anticipated work on Perceptual Control Theory (PCT) by the originator written for the general reader in nontechnical language. From the author: "This is a book about human nature, as we try to guess about it by watching human behavior. It's about a particular theory that seems to fit a great deal of what we see people doing and a great deal of our own private experience. A lot of people think that this is a pretty good theory. But my object in this book is not to persuade you that the theory is right, either by itself or by comparison with other theories. My main objective is to tell you what the theory is and why it has been constructed as it is. I will tell you of the observations that I have thought needed an explanation, and of how this theory appears to explain them. You can decide for yourself whether the theory and the observations go together, and are important."


The Role Of The Adult In Early Years Settings

The Role Of The Adult In Early Years Settings

Author: Rose, Janet

Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education (UK)

Published: 2012-06-01

Total Pages: 178

ISBN-13: 0335242308

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"This book offers a unique and critical approach to the theme of adults working in early years settings through a focus on seven key dimensions encompassed in the term 'the plural practitioner'. The discussion is strongly underpinned by a consideration of the two important principles of child centredness and social justice. The authors also draw on multiple perspectives, including the role of neuroscience and socio cultural perspectives, to consider who these early years professional are and the complexity of what they bring to their work." Linda Miller, Professor Emeritus, Early Years, The Open University, UK This essential book focuses on the adult role within early years education and care. The book introduces the concept of the 'plural practitioner', which acknowledges that the role of the adult in early years settings is complex and entails many different responsibilities. The book argues that the 'plural practitioner' can create quality early years provision by implementing child-centred and socially just practices. The idea of the 'plural practitioner' is embedded in theory and research, providing a robust rationale and framework to help early years practitioners understand of a range of theories and relate them to their work with young children. The book includes: Discussion of the seven different dimensions of the adult role - to help practitioners reflect on the multiple and complex ways in which they work with young children including: The Critical Reflector, The Carer, The Communicator, The Facilitator, The Observer, The Assessor and The Creator Key questions at the end of each chapter to stimulate further reflection and reading Case study examples of real practitioner experiences The Role of the Adult in Early Years Settings will appeal to all students and practitioners either planning to or currently working in early years settings and aiming to develop their practice.


Mindstorms

Mindstorms

Author: Seymour A Papert

Publisher: Basic Books

Published: 2020-10-06

Total Pages: 256

ISBN-13: 154167510X

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In this revolutionary book, a renowned computer scientist explains the importance of teaching children the basics of computing and how it can prepare them to succeed in the ever-evolving tech world. Computers have completely changed the way we teach children. We have Mindstorms to thank for that. In this book, pioneering computer scientist Seymour Papert uses the invention of LOGO, the first child-friendly programming language, to make the case for the value of teaching children with computers. Papert argues that children are more than capable of mastering computers, and that teaching computational processes like de-bugging in the classroom can change the way we learn everything else. He also shows that schools saturated with technology can actually improve socialization and interaction among students and between students and teachers. Technology changes every day, but the basic ways that computers can help us learn remain. For thousands of teachers and parents who have sought creative ways to help children learn with computers, Mindstorms is their bible.


The Characteristics of Effective Learning

The Characteristics of Effective Learning

Author: Annie Woods

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-08-27

Total Pages: 150

ISBN-13: 1317618742

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The characteristics of effective learning – playing and exploring, active learning and creating and thinking critically – underpin young children’s learning and development and are central to the revised Early Years Foundation Stage. Practitioners need to be confident of planning, observing and assessing characteristics of effective learners and understand how they support children’s learning and development. The book explores what the characteristics of effective learning look like and how practitioners can create opportunities for children to express them. It considers the ways in which they connect with children’s natural explorations, play, enjoyement and the environments created by adults. Throughout the focus is on building on children’s own interests as practitioners plan for, observe and assess playing and exploring, active learning and creativity and critical thinking. Including encounters from authentic settings and provocative questions for reflective practice, the book covers: children’s well-being and motivations creating effective learning possibilities for all children engaging children’s interests the role of the adult and environment sustained shared thinking This timely new text aims to help practitioners and students develop their understanding of the charactersitics of effective learning and show them how they can support young children in become effective and motivated learners.


Elemental Play and Outdoor Learning

Elemental Play and Outdoor Learning

Author: Annie Woods

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2016-11-10

Total Pages: 167

ISBN-13: 131733647X

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Providing a fresh approach to examining development in the early years, this book draws together well-established ideas and theories based on outdoor play experiences and connects them to spiritual development in children. Elemental Play and Outdoor Learning considers socio-cultural perspectives, guided participation and mediated learning alongside playfulness as it looks at young children’s developing interest in the people around them, the environment they experience and the ideas and objects that involve them. Including rich encounters with young children and adults, chapters cover: elemental play as an approach to observe and support children’s holistic development; the role of people in developing effective exploratory and social skills; using the concept of elemental play to consider the spiritual system as an aspect of child development; imaginative play with raw, natural materials and how prepared environments can encourage children’s natural exploration; an exploration of well-established constructs of play and how elemental play can be integrated or re-conceptualised with the other theories. Exploring current thinking about natural experiences, interest in forest school activity and fresh insight into dynamic ecological concepts, this book will be essential reading for practitioners and students on undergraduate and postgraduate early years and childhood studies courses.