Review of the first edition:
"This book should be essential reading for every student of Early Childhood. Helen Penn is a highly regarded academic who has the rare ability to write simply and lucidly about complex issues. This eagerly awaited new edition provides a lively critical overview of the field. Highly recommended."
Professor Trisha Maynard, Head of the Department of Childhood Studies, Swansea University, UK
Understanding Early Childhood provides students with a clear, user-friendly introduction to a number of difficult concepts and theories in early childhood education. Drawing on research evidence from various countries and reviewing studies about children from different disciplines - including anthropology, economics, history, psychology and sociology - it offers broad and insightful perspectives on the ways in which we understand and study young children.
Revised and updated throughout, the second edition covers contemporary theories and debates in a concise and accessible style. Unique features include:
- A critical discussion of child development
- A broad interdisciplinary approach
- A general overview of theoretical approaches and research methodologies
- New coverage of global trends about childhood.
- An important new chapter on the economics of early education and care
- Updates on the relevance of neuroscience and genetic research to early childhood
- ?What to read next? at the end of each chapter
- The ability to be used by varying levels of students
The book concludes with a postscript on the theme of interdisciplinary thinking and a critique of current policy initiatives in the UK.
Understanding Early Childhood is key reading for early childhood students and practitioners working with young children.
