Investigating Emotional, Sensory and Social Learning in Early Years Practice

Investigating Emotional, Sensory and Social Learning in Early Years Practice
Author: Sarah Cousins
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 113
Release: 2017-10-12
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1317233336

This book explores learning in the early years and emphasises the importance of learning in social contexts, through the senses and within close relationships. It moves away from the focus on ‘learning’ as the acquisition of knowledge, and instead emphasises the importance of personal, social and emotional development in early years education. Arguing that young children learn best when they are supported by reliable, engaged and attentive people who know them well, this book challenges readers to reflect on their own practice and think about how emotions play a part in young children’s learning and development. Each chapter of this book discusses a different aspect of emotional, sensory and social learning, from philosophical perspectives on learning, leadership and inclusive practice, to the importance of promoting the development of children’s emotional intelligence, forming close attachments to children, and encouraging them to learn through their senses. The reader is provided with a wealth of ideas and examples for application in the classroom. Numerous practical examples, reference to contemporary research, and the authors’ acknowledgement of the challenges faced by practitioners make this an inspiring and pertinent resource for new and experienced teachers and practitioners, as well as trainees and students in the fields of early years and primary education. Readers will develop the skills needed to engage in outstanding, learning-focused practice.

Supporting Early Learning through Rhymes and Stories

Supporting Early Learning through Rhymes and Stories
Author: Sarah Cousins
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 186
Release: 2023-12-04
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1003801803

This book shows how adults can bring rhymes and stories to life with young children and support children’s early steps in communication and literacy. Focusing on the use of rhythm, rhyme and repetition in nursery rhymes and traditional tales from around the world, it provides a wealth of practical ideas for using rhymes and stories one-on-one, in small groups or with whole classes. Drawing from the culmination of their many years of combined experience, the two authors link the theoretical understanding of language and communication with the practical use of rhymes and oral storytelling in the classroom, nursery and at home. Early chapters (or Part I) provide a rationale for using rhyme, rhythm and repetition to inspire children to play with words and develop a love of language, building a foundation for literacy learning. Part II consists of ten lively chapters featuring original and re-imagined traditional fairy tales, containing: Accompanying rhymes to use with children Key themes including friendship, kindness, compassion and generosity Follow-up activities activities for extending children’s vocabulary, building their confidence and developing critical thinking Suggestions of using voices, facial expressions, gestures, props and puppets to enrich children’s emotional, imaginative and intellectual experience This delightful and practical book will be valuable reading for all adults wanting to support young children’s creative learning through enjoyable and valuable experiences.

Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8

Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 587
Release: 2015-07-23
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0309324882

Children are already learning at birth, and they develop and learn at a rapid pace in their early years. This provides a critical foundation for lifelong progress, and the adults who provide for the care and the education of young children bear a great responsibility for their health, development, and learning. Despite the fact that they share the same objective - to nurture young children and secure their future success - the various practitioners who contribute to the care and the education of children from birth through age 8 are not acknowledged as a workforce unified by the common knowledge and competencies needed to do their jobs well. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 explores the science of child development, particularly looking at implications for the professionals who work with children. This report examines the current capacities and practices of the workforce, the settings in which they work, the policies and infrastructure that set qualifications and provide professional learning, and the government agencies and other funders who support and oversee these systems. This book then makes recommendations to improve the quality of professional practice and the practice environment for care and education professionals. These detailed recommendations create a blueprint for action that builds on a unifying foundation of child development and early learning, shared knowledge and competencies for care and education professionals, and principles for effective professional learning. Young children thrive and learn best when they have secure, positive relationships with adults who are knowledgeable about how to support their development and learning and are responsive to their individual progress. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 offers guidance on system changes to improve the quality of professional practice, specific actions to improve professional learning systems and workforce development, and research to continue to build the knowledge base in ways that will directly advance and inform future actions. The recommendations of this book provide an opportunity to improve the quality of the care and the education that children receive, and ultimately improve outcomes for children.

Young Children's Emotional Experiences

Young Children's Emotional Experiences
Author: Jane Murray
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 133
Release: 2020-06-29
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1000021203

Based on a rich seam of research evidence, this book leverages value in engaging with scientific enquiry to further understanding of young children’s emotional experiences. Early childhood development has featured increasingly prominently on international policymakers’ agenda in recent years. Yet whilst policy foregrounds economic imperatives including academic attainment, school readiness, and time-bound outcomes, similar attention has not been afforded to the potential value of nourishing affective engagements that may secure ‘emotional capital’ for infants and young children. This collection from the field of early childhood is therefore timely. Its chapters are based on empirical evidence derived from contemporary scientific studies, and address challenges and opportunities inherent in young children’s emotional experiences in diverse twenty-first century early childhood education and care contexts. The authors provoke debate, discussion, and critique, and they ask significant questions of the policymakers, practitioners, and carers who may influence young children’s lives and their emotional experiences. The findings that are presented in the chapters indicate overall that a test-based approach may detract from young children’s emotional development as well as the positive affective experiences in early childhood which have potential to provide an important foundation for a fulfilling life. This book was originally published as a special issue of Early Child Development and Care.

English as an Additional Language in the Early Years

English as an Additional Language in the Early Years
Author: Malini Mistry
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 163
Release: 2015-05-08
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1136762833

With the English as Additional Language (EAL) population growing rapidly, it is essential that settings and schools meet individual learner needs and provide an inclusive culture where different languages, cultures and religions are accepted and celebrated. Packed with essential information on key theories and best practice, and written in a highly readable style this book aims to raise awareness of main issues and offer practical support for practitioners working with children with EAL. Covering a wide range of topic such as new arrivals, working with parents, assessment, planning, resourcing, play, communication and language, each chapter clearly lays out the key concepts, ideas and strategies alongside examples of good practice. Encouraging a reflective approach, the book features: Checklists, diagrams, chapter objectives and summaries and suggestions for further reading Case studies to illustrate practice Reflective activities to develop critical thinking Challenging many assumptions and stereotypes about EAL learners, this invaluable text will support students and practitioners in meeting the individual needs of all the children in their care.

Schemas in the Early Years

Schemas in the Early Years
Author: Cath Arnold
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 219
Release: 2022-08-10
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1000592189

Evolved through conversations with key early childhood education experts, Schemas in the Early Years focuses on the value of ‘repeated patterns’ of action or ‘schemas’ in young children’s play. It stimulates readers to ask questions of themselves, to watch children closely, and to create a dialogue with parents and other educators as well. Contributors to this fascinating book discuss their observation of children in naturalistic situations when they are deeply involved in play and identify topics or themes that can be linked to and inspire professional development opportunities. This book provides an antidote to beginning with the curriculum rather than the child and really considers children as learners. Each chapter focuses on young children and schemas, considering a wide age range from babies to children attending statutory schooling. Schemas in the Early Years is an accessible and inspiring text and serves as essential reading for educators wanting to think further and in more depth about schemas. Newcomers to schema theory or anyone currently using schema theory to understand children will also find these enquiries useful. All royalties from the sale of this book will be donated to Shelter – the housing and homelessness charity.

A Guide to Teaching Practice

A Guide to Teaching Practice
Author: Louis Cohen
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 475
Release: 2010-06-17
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1136949658

A Guide to Teaching Practice is the major standard text for all students on initial teacher training courses in the UK. Authoritative yet accessible, it covers the important basic skills and issues that students need to consider during their practice, such as planning, classroom organization, behaviour management and assessment. The book's focus on the quality of teaching and learning and consideration of the latest regulations and guidelines ensures that it fits comfortably within TTA and OfSTED frameworks. In addition, comprehensively revised and fully updated, this fifth edition features brand new chapters on the foundation stage, legal issues, learning and teaching and using ICT in the classroom, as well as new material on numeracy, literacy, children's rights, progress files and gifted and talented children. This book is the most respected and widely used textbook for initial teacher training courses and will be an essential resource for any student teacher.

How Children Learn

How Children Learn
Author: Sean MacBlain
Publisher: SAGE
Total Pages: 472
Release: 2014-02-17
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1473904048

Understanding How Children Learn is a vital part of working with children. Every child is unique and understanding differences in learning helps all to benefit. This book goes beyond simply understanding the work of key theorists and the various theories of learning to recognise what learning actually looks like and how it is best facilitated in any setting. Each chapter includes: Exercises to help you evaluate your understanding and practice Examples taken from real experiences to illustrate concepts beyond the theory Summaries to help you take the key messages from each chapter Suggestions for further reading to help push your own learning further. Looking at key topics such as brain development, technology in childhood and barriers to learning, this book will explain what learning really is. Why not also have a look at the companion title Learning Theories in Childhood to explore the key learning theories? Sean MacBlain is Reader in Child Development and Disability at the University of St. Mark & St. John, Plymouth.

Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood

Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood
Author: Children's Issues Coalition
Publisher: Ian Randle Publishers
Total Pages: 145
Release: 2003
Genre: Action research
ISBN: 9766371288

Caribbean Childhoods: From Research to Action is an annual publication produced by the Children s Issues Coalition at the University of the West Indies, Mona. The series seeks to provide an avenue for the dissemination of research and experiences on children s health, development, behaviour and education, and to provide a forum for the discussion of these issues.