More-Than-Human Literacies in Early Childhood

More-Than-Human Literacies in Early Childhood explores the role of place,materiality,and the body in the literacies of young children aged 12-36 months. It emphasizes the experiential knowledge of parents and communities,body-place knowledge,and ordinary affects, arguing that young children's literacies are always more-than-human. The book will interest researchers in feminist-new materialism,posthumanism,affect theory,and critical literacy in early childhood settings.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 22 April 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

More-Than-Human Literacies in Early Childhood is a groundbreaking exploration of the intricate relationship between place, materiality, and the body in the early childhood literacies of children aged 12-36 months. Conducted over an extended period of ethnographic research, the book offers a rich and nuanced understanding of how children engage with and are shaped by literacies and language in the context of their everyday lives.

At the heart of this study lies a fundamental shift in perspective, prioritizing experiential knowledge gained from parents and communities, as well as body-place knowledge and ordinary affects. Abigail Hackett, the author, compellingly argues that young children's literacies are inherently more-than-human, encompassing a vast array of sounds, gestures, and movements that transcend human-nonhuman boundaries. By closely examining the more-than-human nature of these literacies, which rely on the interconnections of bodies, places, animals, humans, objects, and atmospheres for their perpetuation, Hackett makes a compelling case for the de-centering of young children in our understanding of literacy development.

This book will hold particular appeal to researchers and scholars engaged in the fields of feminist-new materialism, posthumanism, affect theory, and critical literacy in early childhood settings. Its insights and perspectives offer valuable contributions to our understanding of the complex and multifaceted ways in which young children navigate the world, and how they are shaped by the diverse literacies and languages that surround them. Through its meticulous research and thoughtful analysis, More-Than-Human Literacies in Early Childhood provides a valuable roadmap for educators, policymakers, and practitioners working to create inclusive and equitable early childhood education environments that foster the full potential of every child.

Weight: 464g
Dimension: 164 x 242 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350144729