The Early Years Reflective Practice Handbook

What do early childhood practioners need to know about reflection and reflective practice?

Ongoing reforms in early childhood care and education social policy affect all aspects of young children's and their families' lives. Decisions are being undertaken at a rapid pace and there is a need for those working in the early years sector to consolidate their knowledge and practice, building on what they already know.

This timely new book aims to support early years professionals‘ reflective practice in their everyday work and in the wider political context. It takes a fresh look at a breadth of issues relating to early childhood education and care drawing on policy, knowledge and practice.

Incorporating practical reflection activities, case studies, exemplar scenarios and questions in each chapter the book considers:

• Policy developments and how these have affected young children and their families
• issues around socio-culturalism, language, ethnicity, disposition, gender, inclusion and socio-economics when working with families
• learning through play and the notions of quality, observation and assessment and continuity
• contemporary issues that practitioners and students on placement may encounter in their everyday work

With practical guidance on how reflective practice works in practice, this text offers invaluable support to students on early childhood studies and Early Years Professional Status courses as well early years practitioners looking to develop their career.

Dr Avril Brock is a Principal Lecturer in the Carnegie Faculty at Leeds Metropolitan University. She lectures in childhood and early years education teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate courses.