1st Edition
Exploring childhood in a comparative context An introductory guide for students
Exploring Childhood in a Comparative Context meets an increasing need for students focusing on early childhood to be familiar with alternative practices in other countries. Providing a ready-made source of information about a wide range of countries including Finland, the Netherlands, the United States, New Zealand, Japan, South Africa and many more, the book clearly describes the way each country understands and conceptualises childhood.
Each chapter includes contextual information about the country, an introduction to the theory that has shaped practice and describes the curriculum for pre-school and primary education. Including vignettes from practitioners working in each country to illustrate practice, the chapters explore key themes such as:
- Child development
- Parental involvement
- Teaching and learning
- Professionalism
- Assessment
- Pupil experience.
Accessibly written and including opportunities for reflection, this timely new book will give students a valuable insight into alternative education systems that is essential if they are to become practitioners with a current and global approach.
Introduction (Mabel-Ann Brown & John White)
1.What is Childhood?
2.Education in Flanders (Bart Hempen and Michele Vanleke)
3. Education in the Czech Republic (Jana Kantorova and Pavla Vyhnalkova)
4. Education in England (Jon White)
5. Education in Finland
6. Education in Greece (Dr. Penelope Louka and Dr. Angeliki Papangeli)
7. Education in Japan (Yukari Iguchi)
8. Education in Latvia (Dr. Mara Dirba)
9. Education in the Netherlands (Dr. Jan Dekker)
10. Education in Australia and New Zealand (Dr. Simon Brownhill)
11. Education in Poland (Anita Gulcynska)
12. Education in Rural South Africa (Chris Bryan)
13. Education in America: No Child Left Behind (Michelle Appleby)
Conclusion
These chapters will be edited to bring them into a comparable format:-
- Chapter introduction / country and context
- Early childhood / context / curriculum / theory / links to OECD PISA
- Primary / Junior context / curriculum / theory / links to OECD PISA
- Conclusions
- Questions for students to think about / suggested further reading
- Reference list
Biography
Mabel Ann Brown is Senior Lecturer on the Foundation Degree in Children’s and Young People’s Services and the BA Child and Youth Studies at the University of Derby, UK.
Jon White is Senior Lecturer in BA Early Childhood/Education Studies and MA Education at the University of Derby, UK.
