The Child in Focus: Learning and Teaching in Early Childhood Education [Paperback]

The Child in Focusprovides a comprehensive introduction for students beginning an early childhood education program. The text incorporates the full range of the early years, from birth to age 3, and ages 4-8, while linking to specific subject areas.

Divided into three sections, Part 1 offers an introduction to childhood and the concepts which form early childhood education. Part 2 covers discrete subject areas along with curriculum and pedagogy. Part 3 focuses on professional practice and teaching skills, providing students with the grounding knowledge to continue in their degree.

The Child in Focusrecognises the important role early childhood educators and teachers play in society and focuses on providing the foundational skills and knowledge for students to succeed in these roles. Filled with contemporary content,The Child in Focushas a strong emphasis on the development of critical reflection for pre-service teachers and adaptability to respond to increasingly complex social and family issues.

PART ONE - FOUNDATIONS
1 What Is a Child? Concepts and Images of Childhood
2 Social Construction of Childhood
3 Theorists and Theoretical Perspectives: Early Childhood Development and Learning
PART TWO - EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING AND TEACHING
4 Play and Play- based Learning
5 Curriculum and Pedagogy
6 Mathematics
7 Language, Literacy and Children's Literature
8 The Arts in Early Childhood
9 Science
PART THREE - PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
10 Introduction to Professional Practice
11 Observation- based Planning
12 Assessment and Evaluation
13 The Importance of Relationships
14 Working with Families and Communities
15 Inclusive Practice for Diverse Learners: Gifted Children
16 Teaching Practice Issues in Contemporary Society

Estelle Irving,Program Leader, Holmesglen Institute,Carol Carter,Lecturer, University of Newcastle,Francis Burton,Lecturer, Holmesgllƒ,