1st Edition
Flourishing in the Early Years Contexts, practices and futures
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.