Routledge Reader in Early Childhood Education

Early childhood education is integral to social policies in developed and developing countries, reflecting the significance of high quality education and care to children's immediate and future lives. Issues about the nature of the child', and the purposed of early childhood education have remained open to debate and controversy in light of recent social, economic and political changes across the globe. These changes have had a profound impact on educational provision and on related services in health, social welfare, and family support. The carefully selected readings in this book have been chosen to exemplify contrasting theoretical, methodological, and epistemological orientations in research and scholarship, key conceptual shifts, and contemporary policy directions in early childhood education. This Reader examines change, transformation and continuity, and presents indicative scholarship in relation to five key themes: theoretical perspectives on learning curriculum and pedagogy play policy professionalism and research methods. Within each theme, the readings have been chosen to exemplify national and international perspectives and trends. This is not to present a homogenised view of early childhood provision and services across cultural contexts; rather the intention is to take a critical perspective on past, present and future directions, and to map some of the challenges, dilemmas and contradictions posed in research and scholarship. This Reader will be invaluable to all undergraduate and postgraduate students of Early Childhood Education.Wood, Elizabeth is the author of 'Routledge Reader in Early Childhood Education' with ISBN 9780415451529 and ISBN 0415451523.