1st Edition

Flourishing in the Early Years Contexts, practices and futures

Edited By Zenna Kingdon, Jan Gourd, Michael Gasper Copyright 2017
    230 Pages 5 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    230 Pages 5 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    If young children are to flourish and become happy, confident and motivated learners, they need to develop in an environment that gives them the opportunities and freedom to play and learn, along with the support of parents and practitioners who are flourishing themselves.

    This invaluable text looks at the conditions that enable all those engaged in the early years sector to flourish, covering themes such as the outdoor environment, the curriculum, parent partnership, equality and ethical practice. Divided into three sections, each part covers:

    • Concepts: A consideration of how flourishing is framed by political, historical and policy frameworks.
    • Practices: Exploring the issues that early years practitioners are faced with when engaging with parents and multi-agent professionals within their setting.
    • Futures: Examining some of the long-term issues that may need to be revisited on a regular basis to enable continual and flourishing development to occur.

    With key points and reflective tasks, this book will be valuable reading to all students and practitioners working in the early childhood education and care sector who want to ensure that the children in their care are given the best possible start in life.

    Introduction

    Zenna Kingdon and Jan Gourd

    Part 1: Concepts

    Chapter 1: The conceptualisation of flourishing

    Zenna Kingdon and Jan Gourd

    Chapter 2: Constructs of the Flourishing Child

    Luke Reynolds

    Chapter 3: The ecology of flourishing

    Michael Gasper and Leoarna Mathias

    Chapter 4: Risk taking, philosophy and ethical practice to facilitate flourishing

    Scott Buckler

    Part 2: Practices

    Chapter 5: Flourishing through Forest School

    Bob Pilbeam

    Chapter 6: Parent Partnership for Flourishing in an Age of Austerity

    Michael Gasper

    Chapter 7: Equality for flourishing in the Early Years

    Sue Lea

    Chapter 8: The Creative Curriculum: Flourishing in the play environment

    Zenna Kingdon

    Part 3: Futures

    Chapter 9: Pedagogical documentation to support flourishing

    Jan Gourd

    Chapter 10: Flourishing and Quality

    Jan Gourd and Zenna Kingdon

    Conclusion

    Jan Gourd and Zenna Kingdon

    Biography

    Zenna Kingdon is Principal Lecturer and Head of Early Childhood Education and Care at Newman University, UK.

    Jan Gourd is Senior Lecturer and Programme Area Lead for Education at the University of St Mark and St John, Plymouth, UK.

    Michael Gasper is an independent early years consultant, UK.