Patricia Giardiello – författare

Rachel and Margaret McMillan, Maria Montessori and Susan Isaacs have had a major impact on contemporary early years curriculum theory and practice. This insightful book introduces students and practitioners to the ideas, philosophies and writings of these key early thinkers in early childhood education and shows how they relate to quality early years provision today. This new and revised edition introduces another pioneer, Charlotte Mason (1832–1923), who saw learning as a lifestyle, rather than a means for passing tests and doing a set number of tasks, sentiments which resonate strongly today. The book explores the influences that shaped the ideas, values and beliefs of each pioneer and clearly demonstrates how they have each contributed to our knowledge of young children’s learning and development. It then examines these in the context of current policy to highlight the key ideas that practitioners should consider when reflecting on their own practice. Features include: Summaries of each pioneer's ideas and their influence on contemporary practice Practical examples to illustrate key principles Reflective questions to encourage practitioners to develop and improve their own practice Case studies and conversations from both England and Sweden to help further the application of knowledge into practiceWritten to support the work of all those in the field of early childhood education, this book will be invaluable to students and practitioners who wish to fully understand the lasting legacies of these five influential women.

Rachel and Margaret McMillan, Maria Montessori and Susan Isaacs have had a major impact on contemporary early years curriculum theory and practice. This insightful book introduces students and practitioners to the ideas, philosophies and writings of these key early thinkers in early childhood education and shows how they relate to quality early years provision today. This new and revised edition introduces another pioneer, Charlotte Mason (1832–1923), who saw learning as a lifestyle, rather than a means for passing tests and doing a set number of tasks, sentiments which resonate strongly today. The book explores the influences that shaped the ideas, values and beliefs of each pioneer and clearly demonstrates how they have each contributed to our knowledge of young children’s learning and development. It then examines these in the context of current policy to highlight the key ideas that practitioners should consider when reflecting on their own practice. Features include: Summaries of each pioneer's ideas and their influence on contemporary practice Practical examples to illustrate key principles Reflective questions to encourage practitioners to develop and improve their own practice Case studies and conversations from both England and Sweden to help further the application of knowledge into practiceWritten to support the work of all those in the field of early childhood education, this book will be invaluable to students and practitioners who wish to fully understand the lasting legacies of these five influential women.

This forward-thinking text challenges educators to think about and question the purpose of education and explores international understandings of the role played by early years professionals in promoting participatory, ethical and reflexive practice which benefits children as independent decision-makers.By exploring the different perspectives, concepts and practices adopted in early childhood settings in Denmark, Finland, Aotearoa, New Zealand and Sweden, Empowering Early Childhood Educators demonstrates the potential of participatory and democratic approaches in day-to-day practice. Illustrating how pedagogical approaches such as Te Whāriki, Reggio Emilia and the Montessori method may be understood and interpreted to maximise children’s engagement in their socio-cultural context, chapters empower educators to question their professional experience, knowledge and initiative to find a balance between directives and ethical practice. A rich combination of case studies, commentaries, interviews and conversations, the text offers critical insight into the daily practices and challenges of early years educators around the world and inspires critical reflection on practices which empower them. A powerful revaluation of the purposes and value of early childhood education, Empowering Early Childhood Educators will be of interest to early years practitioners, students and researchers.