Learning Together in the Early Years

Relational pedagogy underpins the core principles of both the cognitive, and social/emotional development of young children, as evidenced in the Reggio Emilia preschools and the Te Whariki curriculum in New Zealand. Emphasising the links between, people, places and ideas and the effects of these on education, educators and learners, it is integral to the English Early Years Foundation Stage, and forms the basis for early years provision around the world.
This book brings together contributions from international experts on early years education to explore and debate relational pedagogy across different countries and in the context of a broad international field. The three sections of the book cover the following areas:
culture, environment and adult child relationships - how children and adults relate to the culture, ethos and environment in which they function;
adult-child relationships - how education and care environments directly relate to learning and teaching;
adult-adult relationships for professional development - in training situations and parental partnerships.
The book will be of interest to all those who want to delve deeper into how these interactions affect teaching and learning and to understand how the context can have its own impact on pedagogical outcomes. Researchers in early years education and students on early childhood education courses will find much here to inspire and challenge their thinking.

Theodora Papatheodorou is Professor of Early Childhood and Research and Director of CREATe (Centre for Research into Education and Teaching) at Anglia Ruskin University. Janet Moyles is one of the UK's most respected names in early years education. She is affiliated to Anglia Ruskin University as Professor of Education and Research.

Introduction 1. Exploring Relational Pedagogy: the context of this book. Introduction to the book and its three sections Section 1: Adult/child/culture/environment 2. Responsive, reciprocal relationships: the heart of the Te Whaariki curriculum 3. From Rome to Athens: Developing Participatory Concepts of Citizenship for Early Childhood Studies Students 4. Ways of Knowing, Connected Teaching: The caregiver's voice 5. Nurturing Inspiration - A Journey in South Africa 6. Looking, listening, learning and linking: uses of observation for relational pedagogy Section 2: Adult/child relational pedagogy 7. Children living far away: How does one develop positive relationships with children in other cultures? 8. Teachers Supporting Children's Self-Regulation in Conflict Situations within an Early Years Setting 9. "Just like having a best friend" - How babies and toddlers construct relationships with their key workers in nurseries 10. Co-construction and scaffolding: Linking organisational style, guidance strategies and children's meaning making 11. Co-construction and scaffolding: Guidance strategies and children's meaning-making 12. Forging and Fostering Relationships in Play: whose zone is it anyway? Section 3: Adult/adult relational pedagogy 13. Making the Most of the Relationship between Two Adults 14. Does relationship training for caregivers enhance learning and language development in young children? 15. Making a Little Difference 16. Parental Participation: Icelandic Playschool Teachers' Views 17. Fostering Identity and Relationships: The Essential Role of Mentors in Early Childhood Endpiece