EDUC06027 2022 Inclusive Practice1: Intercultural Learning

This module will introduce students to socio-cultural theories of childhood, childcare and child development and their relevance and application for ECEC educators in contemporary Ireland, which is home to many children from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Students will learn skills pertaining to the promotion of an intercultural ECEC setting, to social justice approaches and to honouring the Aistear theme of 'Identity and Belonging'. Students will also learn to appreciate the importance of working in democratic partnerships with parents/carers and in participation with communities and how to respectfully engage with parents/carers and communities.  In the course of this module, students will identify and reflect on their own prejudices and assumptions and their impact on children and their parents/carers.  Particular attention is paid to Traveller and Roma communities in a workshop delivered by Donegal Travellers Project.

As part of their module learning, students will be introduced to the learning in, through and about Culture and the Arts. Students will be introduced to creative practices in drama and storytelling, paying attention to cultural influences in children’s narratives. The importance of cultural expression in families, communities, and early years settings for self and community identity and awareness of and respect for diversity, will be examined.

Finally, students will be introduced to relevant academic literature and multi-media work about children's lives for student-led seminars. 

New childcare text that positions diversity and equality as an integral part of early childhood care and education for students, trainers and practitioners in Ireland. New childcare text that positions diversity and equality as an integral part of early childhood care and education for students, trainers and practitioners in Ireland.

Bringing together scholarship and examples from practice, this book explores ways in which early childhood curriculum - including classroom practices and community contexts - can more actively engage with a range of social justice issues, democratic principles and anti-oppressive practices. Featuring a stellar list of expert contributors, the chapters in this volume present a cross-section of contemporary issues in childhood education. The text highlights the voices of children, teachers and families as they reflect on everyday experiences related to issues of social justice, inclusion and oppression, as well as ways young children and their teachers engage in activism. Chapters explore curriculum and programs that address justice issues, particularly educating for democracy, and culminate in a focus on the future, offering examples of resistance and visions of hope and possibility. Designed for practitioners, graduate students and researchers in early childhood, this book challenges readers to explore the ways in which early childhood education is - and can be - engaging with social justice and democratic practices.

'It is inspiring to see a text which attempts to shift our worldview. This shift could give us the chance to achieve more open, inclusive, democratic early childhood practice that has the capacity to answer the deeper questions and which sees both parents and children as powerful and positive agents in their own futures' - Chris Pascal and Tony Bertram, Directors of the Centre for Research in Early Childhood (CREC) The role of parents in the early years is fundamental. In order to achieve the best outcomes for children, mutually beneficial relationships between parents and practitioners need to underpin childrens care and learning. There are many services for children and many different settings in which care and education can take place. Whether you work in childrens centres, outreach and dual-focused services, preschools, kindergartens or schools this book will help you develop the skills and strategies to work alongside parents whatever your role. Focussing on: The importance of involving parents The nature of learning How to engage and build relationships with parents How to reflect on and develop shared learning environment in settings Transitions and attachment This book has examples taken from real settings and practical advice to help you put the ideas into practice. Reading and using it will help ensure the wellbeing and development of all children in your care. Dianne Jackson is an Adjunct Fellow at the University of Western Sydney and the CEO of Connect Child and Family Services Martin Needham is Academic Division Leader: Education, Professional and Community Studies at Manchester Metropolitan University

Using theory and practice to explore partnerships between professionals and families, Family Learning to Inclusion in the Early Years adds to current expertise through deeper insight into the complexities of inclusion within a specific context of family learning. The book presents inclusive practice which reflects the individuality of each child. Application of a therapeutic approach to promote, or to minimise, behaviour through self-regulation is demonstrated to the reader by illustrative examples. Hazel G. Whitters emphasises the value of supporting every child at the very beginning of a lifelong learning journey by activating the vocational skills of the early years' workforce. Beginning with a discussion of the concept of family in the 21st century, descriptive scenarios help readers to link theory to the reality of daily practice in a clear and useful way. The book presents a generational cycle of development through a theoretical and practical perspective, and explains how practice can contribute to closing the implementation gap within a context of family learning and inclusion in the early years. It encourages exchange of knowledge and understanding on issues, prompting readers' reflection, re-configuration, discussion, dissent, argument, or agreement. An essential read for any in the field of inclusive lifelong learning, this book will be of interest to academics, post-graduate students, and researchers in the field of early years' education, as well as those working within services.

This popular and bestselling textbook provides an introduction to the field of childhood studies and offers a broad-based, comprehensive and accessible insight into the area. Reflecting the nature of childhood studies as an interdisciplinary field that crosses many traditional academic and professional boundaries, each chapter is authored by a leading figure in a specific area of childhood studies. With its range of key themes and insightful analysis this book has firmly established itself as a much loved and essential resource. This new third edition builds on the success of earlier editions retaining its classic chapters of enduring value while incorporating some fresh new content. Four new chapters - chosen to highlight and consider new developments in the field - explore anthropological approaches to childhood; integrated working with children; the sexualization of childhood; and children in armed conflict. Intellectually robust, scholarly and confident in its academic approach, this new edition also includes some new interactive activities to help you get to grips with the issues. An Introduction to Childhood Studies 3E is invaluable reading for students, lecturers and practitioners with a range of professional and academic interests and particularly for those studying courses in Childhood Studies. Mary Jane Kehily is Professor of Gender and Education at The Open University

The new edition of a unique guide for students, practitioners, parents, and administrators of young children who want to understand specific strategies to maximise parent involvement and collaboration.

Through accessible language and candid discussions, Storytelling for Social Justice explores the stories we tell ourselves and each other about race and racism in our society. Making sense of the racial constructions expressed through the language and images we encounter every day, this book provides strategies for developing a more critical understanding of how racism operates culturally and institutionally in our society. Using the arts in general, and storytelling in particular, the book examines ways to teach and learn about race by creating counter-storytelling communities that can promote more critical and thoughtful dialogue about racism and the remedies necessary to dismantle it in our institutions and interactions. Illustrated throughout with examples drawn from contemporary movements for change, high school and college classrooms, community building and professional development programs, the book provides tools for examining racism as well as other issues of social justice. For every facilitator and educator who has struggled with how to get the conversation on race going or who has suffered through silences and antagonism, the innovative model presented in this book offers a practical and critical framework for thinking about and acting on stories about racism and other forms of injustice. This new edition includes: Social science examples, in addition to the arts, for elucidating the storytelling model; Short essays by users that illustrate some of the ways the storytelling model has been used in teaching, training, community building and activism; Updated examples, references and resources.

Originally published in 1960, Summerhill became an instant bestseller and a classic volume of education for an entire generation. Now, this thoroughly expanded and revised version of the original Summerhill reinstates the revolutionary "free school" traditions begun by Summerhill's founder A.S. Neill. As American education lags behind the rest of the world, this new edition is more timely than ever. The children of today face struggles far greater than any previous generation and we, as parents and teachers, must teach them now to make choices for themselves and to learn from the outcome of their decisions. This classic work yet again invites a new view of childhood and presents an essential treatise that challenges us to rethink our approach to education.

Taking the discussion about cultural diversity beyond the usual topics of anti-racism and inclusion but without overlooking these issues, Understanding Cultural Diversity in the Early Years considers current debates around the alleged failure of multiculturalism, and encourages practitioners to utilize their own cultural backgrounds and experiences as a way of developing their teaching. With an optimistic outlook, and focusing on the advantages for learning that cultural diversity can offer, the book discusses the concepts of culture, multi-culturalism and inter-cultural competence, and describes the principles that underpin good practice. It is packed full of case studies from a variety of early years settings, with ideas to try out and interactive exercises to aid reflection.

A selection of books from Kids Own Publishing House in Sligo, written and published by children, for children.