Supporting professionals to promote diversity and inclusion in early years settings, this book promotes awareness and understanding of the needs of children and families from diverse backgrounds, and provides the steps that practitioners can take to enhance their learning and help them reach their full potential.
This guide outlines best practice and key research findings on how to create a truly inclusive setting, covering all aspects of equality and diversity. The book contains advice on: supporting children with special educational needs and providing for children with English as an additional language.
This insightful text shows how the attitudes of adults in early years settings can influence practice. The authors argue for a broad definition of inclusion, not limited to those with learning difficulties or impairment, but addressing factors affecting all members of the learning community. The book shows how the lives of practitioners, parents and children have been affected by inclusive and exclusionary practices. This new and revised edition includes an increased focus on: - inclusion as a political issue - social class - poverty - children′s rights - gay and lesbian parents and staff This text is essential for all early years students, practitioners and researchers who want to become familiar with current research into inclusion and to develop ways of drawing on such studies to inform and devleop their own inclusive practices. Cathy Nutbrown is Professor of Education and Director for Research at the University of Sheffield. Peter Clough is Honorary Professor of Education at the University of Sheffield Frances Atherton is Head of Department of Early Childhood Studies, at the University of Chester.
Covering a wide range of concepts and taking a broader perspective of what inclusion entails, this book offers an overview of current research, policy and practice in diversity and inclusion in the early years. It is a clear introduction to what inclusive practice means for those working with young children in the early stages of their lives
How can we support children to reach their full potential and not be constrained by gender expectations? Are gender roles fixed at birth or do they develop through experiences? Gender Diversity and Inclusion in Early Years Education introduces practitioners to key aspects of gender in the early years and explores how to ensure that children and staff teams are supported in settings that have outstanding practice. Considering the implications of gender in the context of supporting children, families and practitioners, this book examines the theoretical contexts that surround gender identity and explores current legislation and practice in order to provide practitioners with all the information they need to develop their own work and settings in an open and equal way. Offering a wealth of practical guidance, case studies and reflective questions which link to the EYFS, chapters cover: a theoretical approach to gender development; current legislation and the impact on early years practice; understanding gender fluidity and the way in which children express gender; creating gender equality when working with children and the role of manager in creating a supportive ethos. Including tasks, reflective points and links to useful websites and organisations, this book will be valuable reading for all early years practitioners and students that want to promote an inclusive environment for the children in their care, their families and colleagues.
"In Australia and internationally much still needs to occur to promote inclusive practices in education and society with many educators not feeling equipped to recognise or appreciate diversity or cater effectively for inclusion. With embedded audio-visual components, this open textbook is designed to enhance the quality of the reader's experience with each chapter posing key understandings underpinning inclusion and diversity. Readers are encouraged to answer questions on culture, special learning needs, varied educational contexts, gender diversity and more. The key expected outcome of this open textbook is to engage readers in making meaning of inclusion and diversity and applying their learning to their own individual contexts."--BCcampus website.
Cultural Diversity and Inclusion in Early Years Education reveals how cultural diversity can be celebrated in every early years setting. Acknowledging the impact of culture on a child’s development and identity, the book demonstrates the need for practitioners to appreciate cultural difference, value diversity and ensure inclusive practices. Alongside comprehensive discussion of current and historical policy relating to multiculturalism and relevant sociocultural theory, the book provides practical guidance and resources to support practitioners in responding to the challenges of working with families and children from diverse cultural backgrounds. Chapters focus on topics such as: policy and the role of the practitioner sociocultural theories relating to child development building working relationships with families the impact of culture on a child's identity enabling environments and inclusive strategies. Including case studies, reflective questions and suggestions for further reading and research, this essential book will help early years practitioners and students to embrace the varied cultural heritages of the children in their care.
Poverty and Inclusion in Early Years Education will help practitioners to understand the experiences of young children who are living in poverty. It examines the potentially devastating impact of poverty and social exclusion on children’s chances in later life, and considers recent policy and practice reforms which have recognised the critical role played by early years settings and practitioners in guaranteeing a secure foundation for children’s future attainment. The book explores the historical, political and legal aspects of policy on poverty and social exclusion, before offering guidance on how practitioners can help to address the inequalities caused by poverty and break the cycle of deprivation. Chapters go on to address the practicalities of working with children, families and agencies to create an inclusive early years environment, and focus on issues including: developing effective partnerships with families collaborating with outside agencies encouraging awareness of different socio-economic backgrounds. With case studies, reflective questions and further reading included throughout to help the reader to apply the ideas to their own practice, the book will be an invaluable resource for early years practitioners, students, and all those wishing to promote social inclusion and tackle the impact of social exclusion and poverty in early years settings.
