Empowering Early Childhood Educators: International Pedagogies as Provocation

This forward-thinking text challenges educators to think about and question the purpose of education and explores international understandings of the role played by early years professionals in promoting participatory, ethical, and reflexive practice that benefits children as independent decision-makers. By exploring the different perspectives, concepts, and practices adopted in early childhood settings in Denmark, Finland, Aotearoa, New Zealand, and Sweden, Empowering Early Childhood Educators demonstrates the potential of participatory and democratic approaches in day-to-day practice. Illustrating how pedagogical approaches such as Te Whāriki, Reggio Emilia, and the Montessori method may be understood and interpreted to maximize children's engagement in their socio-cultural context, chapters empower educators to question their professional experience, knowledge, and initiative to find a balance between directives and ethical practice.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 20 June 2019
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This forward-thinking text challenges educators to critically reflect on and question the purpose of education, exploring international understandings of the critical role played by early years professionals in promoting participatory, ethical, and reflexive practices that benefit children as independent decision-makers. By examining diverse perspectives, concepts, and practices adopted in early childhood settings across Denmark, Finland, Aotearoa, New Zealand, and Sweden, Empowering Early Childhood Educators showcases the potential of participatory and democratic approaches in day-to-day practice. Through illustrative examples of pedagogical approaches such as Te Whāriki, Reggio Emilia, and the Montessori method, the book empowers educators to question their professional experience, knowledge, and initiative to strike a balance between directives and ethical practice. A rich blend of case studies, commentaries, interviews, and conversations offers critical insight into the daily practices and challenges faced by early years educators worldwide, inspiring critical reflection on practices that empower them. A compelling reevaluation of the purposes and value of early childhood education, Empowering Early Childhood Educators will be of interest to early years practitioners, students, and researchers alike.

Weight: 434g
Dimension: 156 x 231 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138309678