Nóirín Hayes

This fully revised edition of Early Years Practice: Getting It Right From the Start integrates theory and practice and expands on the topics of early childhood practice as located within the context of international curriculum frameworks including Aistear, the Irish framework. With two new chapters it introduces readers to the complexities and possibilities of a play-based pedagogy and the importance of pedagogical leadership. Drawing on recent international scholarship, the book pays particular attention to the role of outdoor play and learning and the impact of digital technologies. It considers how best to manage the competing demands, challenges and tensions that affect the daily experiences of educators and children in contemporary society. This new edition also revises the original text with expanded references on topics such as the ecology of early childhood settings, education for sustainability, developmental psychology, education and neuroscience. This timely text also reviews international literature from both research and practice, strengthens understandings of the key role of relationships to quality practice and the effects on the development and learning of young children. All the chapters provide specific examples of good practice with strategies and suggestions aimed at enhancing the overall experience of early childhood settings for both educators and children. The information collected and explored in the book can be used by lecturers and educators alike to stimulate conversation, guide reflection and support the profession of early childhood educators to collectively work towards achieving, supporting and sustaining high-quality early years practice that adds constructively to the lives of babies and young children.

This fully revised edition of Early Years Practice: Getting It Right From the Start integrates theory and practice and expands on the topics of early childhood practice as located within the context of international curriculum frameworks including Aistear, the Irish framework. With two new chapters it introduces readers to the complexities and possibilities of a play-based pedagogy and the importance of pedagogical leadership. Drawing on recent international scholarship, the book pays particular attention to the role of outdoor play and learning and the impact of digital technologies. It considers how best to manage the competing demands, challenges and tensions that affect the daily experiences of educators and children in contemporary society. This new edition also revises the original text with expanded references on topics such as the ecology of early childhood settings, education for sustainability, developmental psychology, education and neuroscience. This timely text also reviews international literature from both research and practice, strengthens understandings of the key role of relationships to quality practice and the effects on the development and learning of young children. All the chapters provide specific examples of good practice with strategies and suggestions aimed at enhancing the overall experience of early childhood settings for both educators and children. The information collected and explored in the book can be used by lecturers and educators alike to stimulate conversation, guide reflection and support the profession of early childhood educators to collectively work towards achieving, supporting and sustaining high-quality early years practice that adds constructively to the lives of babies and young children.

The influence of Urie Bronfenbrenner’s model of development has been extensive in different areas of developmental science and education, and it continues to inform contemporary research and practice in many fields, including early childhood education. This book presents a comprehensive introduction to Bronfenbrenner’s model of development in reference to early childhood education. It draws on practice-based research to identify and animate key elements of the model impacting on early educational pedagogy and practice. This new and revised second edition identifies and explores the key elements of Bronfenbrenner’s model by referring to contemporary understandings of how children learn. It also includes a new chapter which considers repositioning early childhood education settings as interactive, relational spaces and provides a broader focus on the concept of transitional experiences in children’s daily lives. Along with new content on leadership and associated roles and practices in early childhood education, this book illustrates how Bronfenbrenner’s model can help bring quality to early learning environments and show how it can be incorporated into daily work with young children through vignettes, case studies and examples of good practice. Introducing Bronfenbrenner serves as an ideal read for professionals around the world working with children in early childhood settings, and students training to become early childhood professionals at degree level on undergraduate programmes, as part of vocational training or as part of continuous professional development.

The influence of Urie Bronfenbrenner’s model of development has been extensive in different areas of developmental science and education, and it continues to inform contemporary research and practice in many fields, including early childhood education. This book presents a comprehensive introduction to Bronfenbrenner’s model of development in reference to early childhood education. It draws on practice-based research to identify and animate key elements of the model impacting on early educational pedagogy and practice. This new and revised second edition identifies and explores the key elements of Bronfenbrenner’s model by referring to contemporary understandings of how children learn. It also includes a new chapter which considers repositioning early childhood education settings as interactive, relational spaces and provides a broader focus on the concept of transitional experiences in children’s daily lives. Along with new content on leadership and associated roles and practices in early childhood education, this book illustrates how Bronfenbrenner’s model can help bring quality to early learning environments and show how it can be incorporated into daily work with young children through vignettes, case studies and examples of good practice. Introducing Bronfenbrenner serves as an ideal read for professionals around the world working with children in early childhood settings, and students training to become early childhood professionals at degree level on undergraduate programmes, as part of vocational training or as part of continuous professional development.

Sharing insights of various theoretical perspectives to help understand the complex root causes of children’s behaviour, Supporting Positive Behaviour in Early Childhood Settings and Primary Schools highlights key responses that can encourage positive mental health, resilience and behaviour. Drawing on a range of theoretical frameworks, this book: Translates theoretical insights into adaptable and practical responses Considers children's strengths and needs with regards to resilience and mental health Includes case studies, tasks and questions for reflection Identifies innovative practical strategies for supporting positive behaviour in educational settingsCombining theoretical perspectives on supporting positive behaviour, Supporting Positive Behaviour in Early Childhood Settings and Primary Schools is user-friendly and conceptually unified. It gives early childhood and primary students and teachers a clear understanding of what to do to facilitate positive behaviour and why to do it, encouraging true professionalism in education, and ensuring children learn and develop to their highest potential.

Sharing insights of various theoretical perspectives to help understand the complex root causes of children’s behaviour, Supporting Positive Behaviour in Early Childhood Settings and Primary Schools highlights key responses that can encourage positive mental health, resilience and behaviour. Drawing on a range of theoretical frameworks, this book: Translates theoretical insights into adaptable and practical responses Considers children's strengths and needs with regards to resilience and mental health Includes case studies, tasks and questions for reflection Identifies innovative practical strategies for supporting positive behaviour in educational settingsCombining theoretical perspectives on supporting positive behaviour, Supporting Positive Behaviour in Early Childhood Settings and Primary Schools is user-friendly and conceptually unified. It gives early childhood and primary students and teachers a clear understanding of what to do to facilitate positive behaviour and why to do it, encouraging true professionalism in education, and ensuring children learn and develop to their highest potential.