The idea for this book arose from presentations delivered at two conferences in Tartu and in Tallinn in Estonia. These conferences brought together many professionals and researchers working in early education, many from Europe, and also Australia and the USA. This book, written by 37 authors, consists of chapters about the development of early childhood education, children's developing skills and the early childhood curriculum, and about the role of early childhood teachers. Further topics are the role of parents in early childhood education, and the work with children with special needs in the preschool. The book will be of interest to those interested in early childhood practice and policy.

Autorentext

Marika Veisson is Professor of Early Childhood Education and Educational Psychology at Tallinn University (Estonia). Eeva Hujala is a Professor of Early Childhood Education at the University of Tampere (Finland). Peter K. Smith is Head of the Unit for School and Family Studies, and Professor of Psychology, at Goldsmiths, University of London (UK). Manjula Waniganayake is an Associate Professor (PhD) at the Institute of Early Childhood, Macquarie University (Australia). Eve Kikas is Professor of Early Childhood Education and Educational Psychology at Tallinn University (Estonia).

Inhalt

Contents: Eeva Hujala/Anneli Niikko: The Science of Early Childhood Education - Core Ideas Eve Kikas/Marja-Kristiina Lerkkanen: Education in Estonia and Finland Ulla Härkönen: The Process of Creating the Pedagogical Systems Theory for Early Childhood and Preschool Education James E. Johnson/Jennifer Chestnut Pyles: ECE in the USA: Focus on the State-Funded Pre-K Movement Mare Torm: 170 Years of Development in Estonian Preschool Institutions: Historical Trends in Preschool Education Marika Veisson/Paul Kees/Taimi Tulva/Maie Vikat: Development of the Field of Preschool Education in Tallinn University Sigrun Sand: Early Childhood Education in a Multicultural Norway Jarmo Kinos: Early Childhood Education in Finland - History, the Present and a Little Part of the Future Airi Liimets: What «Gifts» Could Good Beginnings Have in Education Interpreted as a Difference? Tiiu Tammemäe: The Development of Speech of Estonian Children Aged 2-4 Years and Its Connections with Environmental Factors where the Child is Growing Up Kristina Nugin/Marika Veisson: The Intellectual Development of 3-6-Year-Old Children in Different Child Rearing Environments in Estonia Mairi Männamaa/Eve Kikas: Developing a Test Battery for Assessing 6- and 7-Year-Old Children s Cognitive Skills Piret Soodla/Eve Kikas: Oral Narratives of 6-7 Years Old Estonian Children Marja-Kristiina Lerkkanen/Timo Ahonen/Anna-Maija Poikkeus: The Development of Reading Skills and Motivation and Identification of Risk at School Entry Peter K Smith: Children s Play: Essential for Development, Surplus Energy, or Something in Between? Anneli Niikko/Aino Ugaste: A Comparative Perspective on the Early Years Curricula in Finland and Estonia Manjula Waniganayake: Early Childhood Leadership at Crossroads: Current Concerns and Future Directions Helena Rasku-Puttone/ Eija Pakarinen/Kaili Trossmann/Marja-Kristiina Lerkkanen/Eve Kikas/Anna-Maija Poikkeus: Classroom Practices in Finnish and Estonian Preschools: Subgroups of Observed Teaching Practices Kaili Trossmann/Eve Kikas: Observations of Kindergarten Classroom Practices: Estonian Results Marika Veisson/Kerstin Kööp/Kristina Nugin: Appraisal of Preschool Teacher Education Preparation by Students About Their Studies in Estonia and Finland Marika Veisson/Silvi Suur: Estonian Preschool Teachers Vision about Cooperation with Parents Pirjo-Liisa Poikonen/Marita Kontoniemi: Mutual Trust between Finnish Parents and Preschool Teachers Tiia Õun/Anu Sarap: Involving the Board of Parents in the Management of Pre-School Childcare Institutions Kerstin Kööp: Children s Transition from Kindergarten to School in Estonia - the Parental Viewpoint Johanna Einarsdottir: Children s and Parent s Views on Playschool Education in Iceland Jarmo Kinos/Sirkku Kinos/Reetta Niemelä: Developing a School Operational Culture and Improving Student Wellbeing: the Literature Project at the C. O. Malm School Claire P. Monks/Peter K. Smith: Bullying, Aggression and Victimization in Young Children: Measurement, Nature and Prevention.