This accessible guide to child development is for students of degrees and foundation degrees in Early Years, Early Childhood Studies and related disciplines and for early years practitioners. It introduces the context of child development, how we can develop an understanding of this development and how early years practitioners can support this in practice. It considers the biological/social debate, explores holistic development, examines factors affecting development and includes a chapter on reflective practice.
This sixth edition include a new chapter exploring the theme of 'school readiness' and child development.
Section 1: Early childhood context and policy
1 Children and childhood: a historical perspective
2 The current policy context of early years
Section 2: Children's development
3 Holistic development
4 Children's development
5 Development in the early years foundation stage
6 Factors affecting children's learning and development
7 Understanding school readiness from the perspective of the developing child
Section 3: Applying child development in practice
8 Supporting children's learning and development
9 Observing and assessing children's learning and development
Section 4: Enhancing practice and understanding
10 Reflecting on children's learning and development
11 Starting from the child: matching provision to children's development and learning needs
12 Thinking, questioning and challenging: a critical approach to the early years
