Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Early Childhood

Edited by:

Theodora Papatheodorou - Freelance Consultant
Janet Moyles - Freelance Consultant

Other Titles in:
Early Childhood Education

January 2012 | 256 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

By exploring the key issues, arguments and messages that exist in the field this book provides an international, comparative look at aspects of early childhood education and care. Pedagogical practices, learning cultures and the professional development of practitioners are considered within the wider political agenda of different countries. Pertinent policy and practice issues, such as numeracy and literacy, are carefully examined. The text highlights how important it is to engage with and listen to children, to provide positive learning encounters.

Divided into four parts, the book covers:

- children's learning cultures

- culture of pedagogy

- cultural perspectives on curriculum

- cultures of professional development

Chapters cover key topics such as:

- multi-sensory learning

- outdoor learning

- children's voice

- children as mentors

- literacy and mathematics

With expert contributors drawn from across the world, this book is vital reading for all those studying comparative education on early years courses.

Theodora Papatheodorou, PhD, is an early years educator and researcher.

Janet Moyles is Professor Emeritus at the Faculty of Education, Anglia Ruskin University and an early years consultant.

Theodora Papatheodorou and Janet Moyles

Introduction

PART ONE: CHILDREN'S LEARNING CULTURES

Janet Moyles and Theodora Papatheodorou

Introduction

Sue Gascoyne

Seeing the Wood for the Trees: Adults' Roles in Supporting Sensory Play

Sara Knight

Valuing Outdoor Spaces: Different Models of Outdoor Learning in the Early Years

Maulfry Worthington

The Power of Graphicacy for the Young Child

Mallika Kanyal and Linda Cooper

Young Children's Perceptions of their Classroom Environment: Perspectives From England and India

PART TWO: CULTURES OF PEDAGOGY

Janet Moyles and Theodora Papatheodorou

Introduction

Eva Maagerø and Birte Simonsen

Constructing an Inclusive Culture in Kindergartens

Mary James and Hasina Ebrahim

Pedagogic Activities for Early Education in a Child-to-Child Programme in South Africa

Anastasia Papaprokopiou and Athina Kammenou

Transition to Preschool Education in Greece: Attitudes of Parents and Educators

PART THREE: CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES ON CURRICULA

Janet Moyles and Theodora Papatheodorou

Introduction

Ronit Alin

Teaching Linear Measurement in the Israeli Kindergarten Curriculum

Patricia H. Kostell

How Children's Books Create a Scaffold to Understanding Diversity

Paulette Luff

Challenging assessment

PART FOUR: CULTURES OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Janet Moyles and Theodorou Papatheodorou

Introduction

Anne Hunt and Pam Nason

Colliding Discourses: Negotiating Spaces to Enact Pedagogy as an Ethical Encounter

Jill Sachs

The individual as inspiration: A Model for Early Years Teacher Transformation

Carolyn Silberfeld

International Student Experiences: Influences on Early Childhood Practice

Christine Such, Julia Druce and Hazel Jennings

Transformation of Early Years Provision Using Discourses for Professional Development for Practitioners

Hazel R. Wright

From Parent to Practitioner: Alternative Pathways to Professionalism

Lilian G. Katz

Endpiece: Where Are We Now and Where Should We Be Going?

Covers a wide range of Early Childhood issues from a range of international perspectives. A very useful book for Early Childhood Students at both undergraduate and postgraduate level

Mrs Heather Macdonald

Faculty of Education (Parkgate), Chester University

August 23, 2012

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gives good insight into the different perspectives around the world - shows how these different perspectives are put into practice, offering opportunities for reflection on own practice.
used with contemporary issues and researching early years' settings modules

Miss Maria Cruickshank

health care and public services, South Essex College

August 20, 2012

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What a well structured book. It is easy to read and use for students learning. The Cross- Cultural perspectives given in the book are wide and challanging. I will certainly use this book in education.

Elin E. Odegaard

Centre of Educational Research, Bergen University College

July 20, 2012

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This is a fantastic text that has covered a cross range of international perspectives, global issues within the field of early and school education.

Highly recommended

Mrs Era Singh

Early Years Department, Berkshire College of Agriculture

May 11, 2012

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A good book to help put current thinking in perspective

Mrs Anita Williams