Mariane Hedegaard is a Professor of Developmental Psychology and head of the Centre for Person, Practice, Development and Culture at the University of Copenhagen. Professor Hedegaard was the founding president of the International Society for Cultural Activity Research (ISCAR, formerly ISCAT). Her recent publications include Motives in Children's Development, co-authored by Marilyn Fleer and Anne Edwards (Cambridge, 2011). Marilyn Fleer holds the foundation chair for early childhood education at Monash University, Australia, and is the research director for the Child and Community Development research group. Professor Fleer currently serves as president of the International Society for Cultural Activity Research (ISCAR). Her previous publications include Motives in Children's Development (Cambridge, 2011) and Early Learning and Development (Cambridge, 2010).

'The authors' findings yield value that transcends specific nationalities and culture-imposed boundaries to pinpoint the power of children to play a dynamic role in the construction of family pedagogy and ultimately their own development … Recommended.' S. Durr, Choice

• Foreword; Part I. A Wholeness Approach to the Study of Children's Everyday Life: 1. Children's social situation and their activities in everyday settings; 2. The conditions that family practices create for children's learning and development; 3. Societal conditions shape family practices; Part II. Family Activity Settings: 4. Morning routines in families; 5. Walking to school; 6. Afterschool settings and homework activities; 7. Relaxing at home - unstructured times in families; 8. The afterschool period - outdoor play at home; 9. Evening meals; 10. Bedtime routines; Part III. Children Entering School Practices and Participating in Different Settings: 11. Entering into school practice; 12. How schools create conditions for being a successful school child; Part IV. Learning, Play, and Children's Development: 13. Children's everyday life in families and across into school.

Mariane Hedegaard is a Professor of Developmental Psychology and head of the Centre for Person, Practice, Development and Culture at the University of Copenhagen. Professor Hedegaard was the founding president of the International Society for Cultural Activity Research (ISCAR, formerly ISCAT). Her recent publications include Motives in Children's Development, co-authored by Marilyn Fleer and Anne Edwards (Cambridge, 2011). Marilyn Fleer holds the foundation chair for early childhood education at Monash University, Australia, and is the research director for the Child and Community Development research group. Professor Fleer currently serves as president of the International Society for Cultural Activity Research (ISCAR). Her previous publications include Motives in Children's Development (Cambridge, 2011) and Early Learning and Development (Cambridge, 2010).

'The authors' findings yield value that transcends specific nationalities and culture-imposed boundaries to pinpoint the power of children to play a dynamic role in the construction of family pedagogy and ultimately their own development … Recommended.' S. Durr, Choice

• Foreword; Part I. A Wholeness Approach to the Study of Children's Everyday Life: 1. Children's social situation and their activities in everyday settings; 2. The conditions that family practices create for children's learning and development; 3. Societal conditions shape family practices; Part II. Family Activity Settings: 4. Morning routines in families; 5. Walking to school; 6. Afterschool settings and homework activities; 7. Relaxing at home - unstructured times in families; 8. The afterschool period - outdoor play at home; 9. Evening meals; 10. Bedtime routines; Part III. Children Entering School Practices and Participating in Different Settings: 11. Entering into school practice; 12. How schools create conditions for being a successful school child; Part IV. Learning, Play, and Children's Development: 13. Children's everyday life in families and across into school.