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.

Inhalt

Part I: Antecedents and Present Developments in Universal Preschool Education.- 1. The Evolution of Universal Preschool Education in a Global Age; Louise Boyle Swiniarski.- 2. Climbing the Mountain: The Journey to Quality Pre-Kindergarten in Tennessee; Rebecca Isbell.- 3. Florida's Voluntary Universal Prekindergarten: A Citizen's Initiative Taking Baby Steps; Lynn Hartle and Alisa S. Ghazvini.- Part II: Curriculum Initiatives for Early Childhood Programs in a Global Age.- 4. Opening Doors in Northern Chile: The International School of Arica; Michelle Pierce.- 5. Girls in the Primary Science Classrooms of Wales: Theorizing Beyond Dominant Discourses of Gender; Cletus Cervoni.- 6. Let's Get Talking: Promoting Communication, Language and Literacy for Young Children in Multicultural England; Avril Brock.- 7. China's Educational Reform and its Impact on Early Childhood Curriculum; Yaoying Xu and Bing Liu.- Part III: Beyond the Walls of the School and Center.- 8. Rhyme Times Treasure Baskets and Books: How Early Years Libraries Can Help to Deliver the Best Start; Carolynn Rankin.- 9. The Politics of Play in England: An Appeal to Parliament; Pat Broadhead.- 10. Cross-sector Partnerships for Early Education and Care; Mary-Lou Breitborde.- 11. The Science Art and Writing (SAW) Initiative; Jenni Rant.- Afterword.