1st Edition
From Birth to Three: An Early Years Educator’s Handbook
This accessible handbook offers an in-depth exploration of the distinctive features of the play, development and learning of children from birth to three years old. Key theoretical ideas relating to social, emotional, cognitive and physical development are discussed in relation to everyday practice, offering a wealth of information and guidance on working with this unique age group.
The book emphasises the connections between all aspects of a child’s experience and development; addressing key questions of what babies and young children need, enjoy and have a right to experience. It demonstrates how early years educators can develop their practice and organise their provision in a way that is positive for babies and young children and their families. Focusing on the holistic nature of early development, chapters explore the following:
- The importance of interactions and relationships between educators and children
- How to develop a holistic pedagogy that gives equal consideration to children’s care, play and learning
- The value of the connections that children make with the world around them, and how educators can create an environment conducive to nurturing these connections
- Observation and self-evaluation of practice and provision
Each chapter features case studies, links to key aspects of practice and practical tasks to help readers apply the ideas to their own context. The book is accompanied by an extensive companion website (www.routledge.com/cw/Manning-Morton) containing video explainers, reflection points, practice tasks, downloadable resources, quizzes and more.
Opening a window on what it is like to be a baby or young child in an early years setting, this is an essential tool for all early years educators and students on a wide range of early years courses. It will also be of interest to parents.
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Section One: Early Years Educators Making Connections
Chapter 1: Connecting as an early years professional
1:1 Key Aspect of Practice: Leading and Managing
Chapter 2: Early years educators connecting with ideas
2.1: Key Aspect of Practice: Observation
2.2: Key Aspect of Practice: Safeguarding
Section Two: Children Making Connections with Self
Chapter 3: Being and becoming who I am
3.1: Key Aspect of Practice: Care
Chapter 4: Being and becoming who I am: Social identities
Chapter 5: Being and becoming who I am: Connecting with feelings
5.1 Key Aspect of Practice: Transitions
Section Three: Children Making Connections with Others
Chapter 6: Belonging and connecting in close relationships
6.1: Key Aspect of Practice: The Key Person Approach
6.2 Key Aspect of Practice: Partnership with Parents and Families
Chapter 7: Belonging and connecting in my community
7.1 Key Aspect of Practice: Behaviour
Chapter 8: Belonging, connecting and communicating
8.1 Key Aspect of Practice: Stories, Songs and Music
Section 4: Connections with the Wider World
Chapter 9: Making connections through being active; moving and doing
9.1: Key Aspect of Practice: Movement Play
9.2: Key Aspect of Practice: Health and Well-being
Chapter 10: Making connections through being curious, thinking, and understanding
10.1: Key Aspect of Practice: Environment
Chapter 11: Making connections through creating and imagining
Chapter 12: Chapter 12: Making connections through Play
12.1: Key Aspect of Practice: Play
Biography
Julia Manning-Morton is an independent consultant, training group facilitator, researcher and author. Her career in the early childhood field spans 40 years as a practitioner, manager and adviser across a range of early years settings and as a lecturer in early childhood studies, specialising in the play, care and learning of 0–3-year-olds for more than 30 years.
