Children’s Learning in Early Childhood

Sean MacBlain PhD is a distinguished author and academic  whose publications include: MacBlain (Sage, 2021) Children’s Learning in Early Childhood; MacBlain (Sage, 2020) Child Development for Teachers; MacBlain, Dunn and Luke (Sage, 2017) Contemporary Childhood;  Gray and MacBlain (Sage, 2015) Learning Theories in Childhood; MacBlain, Long and Dunn, (Sage, 2015) Dyslexia, Literacy and Inclusion: Child-centred Perspectives;  MacBlain (Sage, 2014) How Children Learn. Sean’s publications are used by students, practitioners and academics throughout the world and have been widely translated including into Chinese and Vietnamese. Sean was previously a senior academic at the University of St Mark & St John, Plymouth, England where he held the positions of Research lead for the Centre for Education and Applied Research, Research Lead for the Centre for Professional and Educational Research, Research Coordinator for the School of Education and Deputy Chair of the Ethics Committee. Sean has also worked as a Senior Lecturer in Education and Developmental Psychology at Stranmillis University College, Queen’s University Belfast. In addition to this, Sean has  worked for over twenty years as an educational psychologist and continues in this field as an independent practitioner.

This book is a well-rounded and thought-provoking resource that significantly contributes to the field of early childhood education. Its comprehensive approach to combining theory with practice, alongside the consideration of contemporary issues and the use of case studies for deeper understanding, makes it an essential read for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact in the education and care of young children.

• Part I: The Early PioneersChapter 1: Recognising the concept of child•The emergence of childhood•Seeing nature in children’s learning•Valuing emotional growth in early learning•Recognising the value of play in early learning•The need for social reform•Advancing understanding in intellectual developmentPart II: Modern PerspectivesChapter 2: Emotional learning in childhood•What does emotional learning look like?•Emotional intelligence•Self-efficacy•AttachmentChapter 3: Social learning in childhood•What does social learning look like?•Language and social learning•The ethics of care•Behaviourism and its relevance for social learning todayChapter 4: Cognitive development and learning•Intellectual development•Play as a pedagogic approach•Viewing learning from the child’s perspective•Learning: can we really make it happen out of doors?Chapter 5: Practice outside of the mainstream•Loris Malaguzzi and Reggio Emilia•Te whakiri•Sure Start•Instrumental enrichment•The contribution of neuroscience•Digital learning in early childhoodPart III: Seeing Theory in PracticeChapter 6: Play as a pedagogic approachChapter 7: Emotional learning in early childhoodChapter 8: Social learning in early childhoodChapter 9: Language and learningChapter 10: Health and wellbeing