World Class Initiatives and Practices in Early Education: Moving Forward in a Global Age (Educating the Young Child Book 9)

This book offers current international initiatives, developed for working with children from “Birth to Eight” by a diverse group of noted professional authors. Their readings present an overview of early education as it evolved from the Froebelian kindergarten to today’s practices in various Early Education settings around the globe. The international voices of the authors represent a balanced perspective of happenings in various nations and lend a conversational approach to each chapter. The chapters analyze the Universal Preschool Education movement promoted by various countries, states, and agencies; examine model curriculum programs in a variety of teaching/learning settings; and identify directions the community can take in promoting effective early education programs. Particular attention is given to key issues and concerns faced by practitioners and families world-wide. Studies reveal successful approaches to bilingual education in a Chilean kindergarten, research findings on gender differences in primary school girls for learning science in Wales, literacy development strategies for teaching in UK multicultural classrooms and childhood centres, the process of integration special education with early childhood practices in China, and exemplars of community outreach to improve the well being of children through advocacy for governmental changes in early education policies and professional development. This book is for everyone interested in the well being of young children moving forward in a global age to meet the challenges of early citizenship in their world. This book offers current international initiatives, developed for working with children from "Birth to Eight" by a diverse group of noted professional authors. Their readings present an overview of early education as it evolved from the Froebelian kindergarten to today's practices in various Early Education settings around the globe. The international voices of the authors represent a balanced perspective of happenings in various nations and lend a conversational approach to each chapter. The chapters analyze the Universal Preschool Education movement promoted by various countries, states, and agencies; examine model curriculum programs in a variety of teaching/learning settings; and identify directions the community can take in promoting effective early education programs. Particular attention is given to key issues and concerns faced by practitioners and families world-wide. 0Studies reveal successful approaches to bilingual education in a Chilean kindergarten, research findings on gender differences in primary school girls for learning science in Wales, literacy development strategies for teaching in UK multicultural classrooms and childhood centres, the process of integration special education with early childhood practices in China, and exemplars of community outreach to improve the well being of children through advocacy for governmental changes in early education policies and professional development. This book is for everyone interested in the well being of young children moving forward in a global age to meet the challenges of early citizenship in their world Front Matter....Pages i-viii Front Matter....Pages 1-1 The Evolution of Universal Preschool Education in a Global Age....Pages 3-19 Climbing the Mountains: The Journey to Quality Prekindergarten in Tennessee....Pages 21-31 Florida’s Voluntary Universal Prekindergarten: A Citizen’s Initiative Meets Political and Policy Realities....Pages 33-52 Front Matter....Pages 53-53 Opening Doors in Northern Chile: The International School of Arica....Pages 55-66 Identity, Materials, and Pedagogy: Girls in Primary Science Classrooms in Wales....Pages 67-80 Let’s Get Talking: Communication, Language and Literacy in the Early Years....Pages 81-100 China’s Educational Reform and Its Impact on Early Childhood Curriculum....Pages 101-118 Front Matter....Pages 119-119 Rhyme Times, Treasure Baskets and Books: How Early Years Libraries Can Help to Deliver the Best Start....Pages 121-137 The Politics of Play in England: An Appeal to the Houses of Parliament....Pages 139-154 Cross-Sector Partnerships for Early Education and Care....Pages 155-164 The Science Art and Writing (SAW) Initiative....Pages 165-181 Back Matter....Pages 183-193 Antecedents and Present Developments in Universal Preschool Education The Evolution of Universal Preschool Education in a Global Age Climbing the Mountains: The Journey to Quality Prekindergarten in Tennessee Florida's Voluntary Universal Prekindergarten: A Citizen's Initiative Meets Political and Policy Realities Curriculum Initiatives for Early Childhood Programs in a Global Age Opening Doors in Northern Chile: The International School of Arica Identity, Materials, and Pedagogy: Girls in Primary Science Classrooms in Wales Let's Get Talking: Communication, Language and Literacy in the Early Years China's Educational Reform and Its Impact on Early Childhood Curriculum Beyond the Walls of the School and Center Rhyme Times, Treasure Baskets and Books: How Early Years Libraries Can Help to Deliver the Best Start The Politics of Play in England: An Appeal to the Houses of Parliament Cross-Sector Partnerships for Early Education and Care The Science Art and Writing (SAW) Initiative Afterword About the Editor About the Authors