Language & Literacy in the Early Years 0-7

Marian R Whitehead was formerly a Senior Lecturer in Education at Goldsmiths College, University of London, with responsibility for organizing and teaching M.A. degrees in Language and Literature and Early Childhood Education. She has published extensively on literacy, literature and bilingualism and is a co-editor of the journal Early Years. She now combines writing with language and early years consultancy work.She is the co-editor of Early Years, An International Journal of Research and Development. She is a well known author, and her books include How to Develop Children′s Early Literacy, with Makin, L (Paul Chapman Publishing 2003), Developing Language and Literacy with Young Children, Second Edition (Paul Chapman Publishing, 2002) Supporting Language and Literacy in the Early Years (1999) Open University Press.

′This book shoudl be read by all those involved in Early Years settings, in order to understand the moral imperative of creating environments which recognise the uniquely individual social and cultural experiences that young children bring to formalised learning. The greatest strength of this text is the ability of the writer to annexe complex research to the compelling need for the practitioner to understand how young children both make meaning and use language to make new meaning as they learn to communicate in a range of modes′ - English 4-11 Magazine ′This new edition of a highly regarded and very well-presented text on young children′s language and literacy development is thoroughly up-to-date and relevant to practitioners working with children from birth to five in the Early Years Foundation Stage and teachers of children in Years 1 and 2. It provides, in an extremely readable and accessible way, the key theories which practitioners need to be familiar with in order to support the language and literacy development of young children in their care...Students will find the connection between theory and practice illuminating and a great help in their studies′ - Early Years Update ′This book is key reading for primary and early years students, early years practitioners classroom assistants and Early Years Foundation Stage teachers′ - Early Years Educator Praise for the Third Edition :′The text relates theory and practice in an easily readable form with particularly helpful sections on key terminology and summaries within each chapter. A most useful, practical text which no early years practitioner should be without′ - Jacqueline Barbera, Director of Undergraduate ITT, Liverpool Hope University College

• PART ONE: LANGUAGE AND LEARNINGLinguistics: The Study of LanguageSociolinguistics: Language and CulturesPsycholinguistics: Early Language AcquisitionPsycholinguistics: Language and ThinkingThe Early Years Practitioner and Knowledge about LanguagePART TWO: LITERACYNarrative and StoryingBooks and the World of LiteratureEarly Representation and Emerging WritingThe Early Years Practitioner and Literacy