2nd Edition
Pioneers in Early Childhood Education The Roots and Legacies of Charlotte Mason, Rachel and Margaret McMillan, Maria Montessori and Susan Isaacs
Rachel and Margaret McMillan, Maria Montessori and Susan Isaacs have had a major impact on contemporary early years curriculum theory and practice. This insightful book introduces students and practitioners to the ideas, philosophies and writings of these key early thinkers in early childhood education and shows how they relate to quality early years provision today. This new and revised edition introduces another pioneer, Charlotte Mason (1832–1923), who saw learning as a lifestyle, rather than a means for passing tests and doing a set number of tasks, sentiments which resonate strongly today.
The book explores the influences that shaped the ideas, values and beliefs of each pioneer and clearly demonstrates how they have each contributed to our knowledge of young children’s learning and development. It then examines these in the context of current policy to highlight the key ideas that practitioners should consider when reflecting on their own practice. Features include:
- Summaries of each pioneer's ideas and their influence on contemporary practice
- Practical examples to illustrate key principles
- Reflective questions to encourage practitioners to develop and improve their own practice
- Case studies and conversations from both England and Sweden to help further the application of knowledge into practice
Written to support the work of all those in the field of early childhood education, this book will be invaluable to students and practitioners who wish to fully understand the lasting legacies of these five influential women.
Introduction PART 1. The early influences 1. From Plato to Froebel PART 2. A history of connections in early childhood education: Five key women pioneers – their roots and legacies 2. Charlotte Mason 3. Rachel and Margaret McMillan 4. Maria Montessori 5. Susan Isaacs PART 3. Contemporary Perspectives 6. The pioneers’ legacies to UK and international policy on early childhood education 7. A Foucauldian perspective of legacies as a "regimes of truth" in the context of neoliberal accountability
Biography
Patricia Giardiello has been involved in the field of early childhood education during the last four decades, both in schools and higher education. As a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Health and Education at Manchester Metropolitan University, her involvement in teaching and learning extends across undergraduate and postgraduate study. Patricia’s current interests include principled pedagogical approaches to early childhood education, children’s voice, and intergenerational learning.
