Focus on Early Childhood : Principles and Realities

Focus on Early Childhood: Principles and Realities brings together a wealth of information from various academic and professional standpoints. The picture of early childhood that has emerged in recent years is broader and more complex than is commonly understood. In particular, it gives full recognition to the competencies of children and their role as active constructors of their own lives. The authors of this book are from a diverse range of professional and academic disciplines, including education, social work, social policy, pyschology and law. They draw on recent research and theory to explore this common theme: the culturally disparate but enormously rich, dynamic and complex world of young children. Among the topics explored are the concept of quality in early care and education, and the National Curriculum in the primary school. Punishment and its effects, family stress and support as well as differing national policies are also covered thoroughly.

1. Historical views of Childhood.2. Fetal Development.3. Infancy.4. Early Development.5. Childrearing Across Cultures.6. Relationships.7. Children's Rights and Responsibilities.8. Early Childhood Care and Education Services in Britain.9. Child Agency and Primary Schooling.10. Technologies and Environments: new freedoms and new constraints.11. Family Stress and Family Support.12. The Child as Citizen