Early Childhood Studies

Fully updated in its 2nd edition, this comprehensive and accessible book is a one-stop introductory text for those entering the field of early childhood studies and early years. Scholarly, and engagingly written, it covers all the key contemporary debates from child development, language acquisition and play to professional practice, health and wellbeing and diversity and inclusion.
The new edition includes two new chapters on fostering creativity and sustainability. It covers the urgent post-pandemic need for early childhood practitioners to lead the remedial work for the 2020 generation of babies who lost valuable socialisation opportunities and includes discussion of the current 'schoolification' of early childhood and the pursuit of data as a driver of education and care provision. It also examines the impact of health and income inequalities, Covid-19, global neoliberal policies and Brexit on the early childhood landscape.
An excellent all rounder, it covers everything a student of early childhood will need. Each of the eighteen chapters has at least one global case study, and includes reflective exercises, topics for discussion, assignments and further reading lists. Throughout the book, vital connections are made between theory and practice to help students prepare for a career working with a diverse community of children, parents and professionals.

Jenny Willan (née Gubb) has previously worked as a Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at the University of Plymouth, UK, and as a researcher at the University of Cambridge, UK.

List of Illustrations
About the Author
Introduction
Part I: Understanding Early Childhood Studies
Chapter 1: What is Early Childhood Studies?
Chapter 2: Early Childhood in a Global Context
Chapter 3: Some Theories of Child Development
Part II: Understanding Child Development: Supporting the Unique Child
Chapter 4: Physical Development: The Interplay of Body and Brain
Chapter 5: Cognitive Development
Chapter 6: Socialisation, Language and Play
Chapter 7: Emotional and Moral Development
Part III: In the Best Interests of the Child: Shaping Children's Live
Chapter 8: Children and Families in Context
Chapter 9: Representations of Childhood
Chapter 10: Early Education
Part IV: Children in Society: Every Child Matters
Chapter 11: Early Childhood Social Policy
Chapter 12: Diversity and Inclusion
Chapter 13: Health and Wellbeing
Part V: The Children's Workforce: Professional Practice
Chapter 14: Professional Practice for Early Childhood
Chapter 15: Taking the Lead in Early Years Professional Practice
Part VI: Research in Early Childhood: Seeing Children Differently
Chapter 16: Understanding Young Children Through Observation and Assessment
Chapter 17: Doing Early Childhood Research
PART VII: Current Trends: Sustaining Early Childhood Provision
Chapter 18: Fostering Creativity
Chapter 19: A Sustainable Future
References
Index