"Underpinned by ecological theories of development concerned with children, families and communities, this book provides the reader with philosophical, economic and sociological insights and with the latest thinking emerging from post-humanism. In so doing, it provides tools that enable students to research childhood, to understand the complexities of often seemingly simple matters and to navigate critically ever-changing policy and practice in early childhood. Its breadth, depth and currency cannot fail to impress."

- Ian Barron, Professor of Early Childhood Studies, Manchester Metropolitan University

Student focused and designed to support critical thinking, this brand new textbook is mapped to early childhood degrees and is designed to cover the breadth and depth of content across the course. Focused on seeing children in the context of the world they live in, it provides students with a range of perspectives and insights to help them understand the complexities of early childhood, develop their own critical ideas and apply theory to practice.

A range of features in the book and resources online help students:


Get to grips with the basic with:
Spotlights on people, policy and practice 
An extensive Glossary in the book along with online Flashcards


Learn from others with:
Video insights from academics and practitioners
Student perspectives at the start of each chapter


Prepare for Assignments with:
Further reading resources in the book and online to enable wider reading
Spotlights on research and reflection points to develop critical thinking skills


Relate to practice with:
Case study scenarios of real-life settings
Action point activities to put theory into practice

The wide-ranging scope of this textbook, aimed at new early childhood studies students, is supported by contributions from more than 20 different experts…There is an emphasis on critical thought, as an important part of becoming an effective practitioner. The editors embed this approach with action points accompanying theories, designed to present challenging concepts to the reader. There are also ideas and practice examples to promote discussion, debate and learning…There is also a student voice feature, allowing readers to tap into other students’ views and perspectives.

-- Early Years Educator magazine * Early Years Educator magazine *

Damien Fitzgerald PhD, is Head of Area for Early Childhood and Childhood at the Sheffield Institute of Education, Sheffield Hallam University. His research interests include gender and childhood, heteronormativity in family contexts and same-sex parenting and this informs his undergraduate and post-graduate teaching. Prior to working at Sheffield Hallam, he worked as an advisory teacher in early years special needs and in other teaching roles in schools. He is also qualified as a nurse working mainly in emergency care. Heloise Maconochie PhD, is Visiting Scholar of Early Childhood Education at Purdue University Fort Wayne, USA. Her research interests include children’s experiences and perspectives of early childhood services, curriculum in the early years, disabled children’s childhoods, early intervention, children’s rights and participatory methodologies. She has worked in the UK as a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies and Teacher Education, and as an early years coordinator and primary school teacher. She is a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused and neglected children in Allen County, Indiana.