'An excellent text which offers students a rounded view of early years in the context of political agendas, while still maintaining the child at the centre of provision and understanding.'
- Stephanie Evans, University of Cumbria
'Fully up-to-date with an accessible layout and style and a balance between current research, theory and practice, this new edition will prove to be a valuable resource for all students and practitioners.'
- Jan Marks, Senior Lecturer, Early Years, University of Chester
'This should be a key text for all studying and teaching in the field of early years.'
- Ioanna Paliologou, Centre for Educational Studies, University of Hull
This new edition of an iconic book examines the key themes involved in the study of young children and childhood from a variety of disciplines and international perspectives, making essential links between theory and practice to help you apply your learning in real-life settings.
Key additions:

Introduction - Trisha Maynard and Sacha Powell
PART ONE: PERSPECTIVES ON CHILDHOOD
Childhood in Different Cultures - Joanne Westwood
Childhood through the Ages - Yordanka Valkanova
Sociology of Childhood - Nigel Thomas
The Globalisation of Early Childhood Education and Care - Helen Penn
Childhood in the Digital Age - Jackie Marsh
PART TWO: THE DEVELOPING CHILD
Thinking and Cognitive Development in Young Children - Ruth Ford
Babies¿ and Young Children¿s Social and Emotional Development - Tricia David with Sacha Powell
Language Development in the Young Child - Thea Cameron-Faulkner
Play and Development in Early Childhood - Justine Howard
Cultural-Historical Theories of Child Development - Marilyn Fleer
PART THREE: POLICY AND PROVISION FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
Early Childhood Policy and Services - Sonia Jackson
Children¿s Rights and the Law - Nigel Thomas
Early Childhood Education (ECE) - Iram Siraj-Blatchford
Child Welfare and Protection - Dendy Platt
Children¿s Health and Wellbeing - Sally Robinson
Inclusive Policy and Practice - Siobhan O¿Connor
PART FOUR: DEVELOPING EFFECTIVE PRACTICE
Observing Children to Improve Practice - Helen Moylett
Undertaking Research with Children - Alison Clark
Is Working Together Working? - Angela Anning
Effective Early Childhood Leadership - Carol Aubrey
References
Index