Early Childhood Studies

Rod Parker-Rees is the co-ordinator of Early Childhood Studies and joint programme director for the BA (Hons) ECS at the University of Plymouth, where he also helped to develop the Early Childhood Studies Specialist pathway on the Bed and the BA (Hons) degree in ECS. Before he taught three to five year-old children in Bristol and conducted research with the National Primary Centre (South West). His research interests centre on playfulness, early communication and the role of young children as active social agents. Dr Caroline Leeson is Associate Professor in Early Childhood Studies at Plymouth University. She has particular interests in the welfare of looked after children, children’s centre leadership and reflective practice and enjoys working with students towards their goal of being strong advocates for young children and their families. Her research interests are in social justice; children with a parent in prison; children who go missing and/or are vulnerable to sexual exploitation and the involvement of children in decision making processes. She is also active in researching the articulation of leadership in early years settings. Before working in higher education she worked as a social worker in child protection, fostering and adoption and was the leader of a family centre for a period of time. This experience proved particularly profound as she learnt the importance of communication, collaboration and the joy of spending time in the home corner making stone soup.

Great layout. Well written. Covered lots of helpful topic in depth and highly relevant way.

• Introduction - Rod Parker-ReesUnderstanding children’s development - Becky McKenziePlay - Mandy AndrewsDeveloping Communication - Rod Parker-ReesChildren’s well-being and spirituality - Philip Selbie and Becky McKenzieObserving Children - Karen Wickett and Mandy AndrewsWorking with parents - Marie LavelleProviding enabling environments - Philip Selbie and Karen WickettTackling inequalities in the early years - Ulrike HohmannInclusive Practice in the early years - Mandy Andrews and Sofia Chanda-GoolWorking with Colleagues - Caroline Leeson and Valerie HugginsLeadership in Early Childhood settings - Caroline Leeson and Valerie HugginsAdults’ Concepts of Childhood - Rod Parker-ReesThe benefits of comparison - Ulrike HohmannChildren’s well-being in the developing world - Rebecca Carter Dillon and Valerie HugginsThe Research, Policy, Practice triangle - Verity Campbell-BarrIn praise of reflective practice - Caroline LeesonResearch projects in Early Childhood Studies - Ulrike Hohmann and Christoforos MamasAction Research - Ulrike Hohmann and Karen Wickett