Shortlisted for the 2012 Nursery World Awards!
Understanding the factors that contribute to a positive learning environment is vital for those working with children from birth to 3 years. Using extensive case study material, Ann Clare focuses on the experiences of babies and toddlers in various care settings, and the role adults play in developing creative and supportive environments. The effect on speech and language development is explored, with reference to recent research and initiatives. Information gathered from parents and childcare workers helps provide a deep consideration of parents' childcare choices.
Topics covered include:
- the emotional environment
- the role of adults in the environment
- the physical environment
- the creative environment
- parents and the environment
- observing and questioning
This detailed study of current research and literature provides an invaluable source of information for those planning to work with babies and toddlers, as well as experienced childminders wanting to reflect on the care and learning they offer children and families.
Ann Clare is an Early Years Foundation Stage Consultant in England.
Table of Contents:
Why Environments Matter
The Emotional Environment
The Role of Adults in the Environment
The Physical Environment
The Creative environment
Parents and the Environment
Observing and Questioning
About the Author :
Ann Clare began her career as a secondary school English teacher. It was after having her three children, Felicity, Edward and Hannah, that she became the head of a small village private nursery school at the same time as studying for her Master’s degree. Ann followed this by becoming an Early Years Consultant working for two North West local authorities.
A chance conversation with Professor Cathy Nutbrown encouraged her to further her studies at the University of Sheffield where she graduated with her PhD, researching babies and young children under three.
This research led Ann on to write her first book, Creating a Learning Environment for Babies and Toddlers in 2012 and to co-author a second edition of Working with Babies and Toddlers with Jools Page and Cathy Nutbrown in 2013.
The arrival of Ann’s two grandchildren, Oscar and Lottie, further inspired her to write this new book focusing on interaction and communication in the early years. Ann is now enjoying a happy retirement which is filled with her continued work with the University of Sheffield, making bread and visiting her gorgeous grandchildren in Germany.
Interested in Talking With Children and Quality Interactions? This free Web Summit, taking place Monday 12th September is for you! http://www.earlyyearssummit.com/?ref=Ann
Review :
′Highly recommended. Ann Clare challenges some widely used theorists and successfully argues the importance of interactions between adult carers and our youngest children, in an appropriate early childhood environment. This text is absolutely current and relevant to the Early Years Sector. A wonderful contribution from a new researcher and writer′
- Chelle Davison, Senior Lecturer in Early Years Professional Practice,
Leeds Metropolitan University
′The book includes a large number of case studies that illustrate practice in the two nurseries that the author worked with while gathering her research data. The text is fully up to date and makes reference to recently published reports and reviews that have been instrumental in shaping current early years policy developments′
-Early Years Update
′This text is very current and wholly relevant to the early years sector...The book includes extensive case study material and honest quotes from practicing practitioners, which help to make this academic read very accessible′
-Martine Horvath, Early Years Educator
Useful for students working with under 5s.
An excellent text to address aspects of the module entitled Infant and toddler years.
This book was suitable for the module, effective learning environments. Although my students found the information limited, the content was appropriate for the assignments as supporting literature.
Relevant to many aspects of the course and learners found this book both enlightening and inspiring. Very good quality of information and learner feedback rated in highly.
Overall an interesting study that focuses on an area not very well covered in early years. Quality of presentation was good, with good use of question points etc. greater links to theory would be helpful, as qualitative studies like this are only useful if they make connections.
A well presented informative book. The author gives clear information to enable practitioners to understand the importance of providing an enabling environment for very young children. Babies and toddlers need the very best environments to enable them to thrive and learn.
The book does focus well on very young children and would provide additional reading for the students.
good to access a book which underlines the importance of the environment for the youngest children
An essential book for all those working with babies and young children. The case studies complement the text and the research explored by the author is honest and refreshing.
this is a very insightful book. I will strongly recommend it to students and also to graduates working in early years.
This is a lovely book that really focuses on an age group so often over looked. It also stresses the importance of the adult role in the environment and gives practicle advice to make it work.
Suppirtive for the advanced practitioner.
I have reccommended this book to several students who have decided to undertake the baby unit of my course.
The close links between theory and practice make this a very useful book for students working at all levels on our modules, and particularly for our new EYTS course.
Excellent, gives food for thought for practitioners on FdA and BA Early Years students
EYPS candidates spend time working with babies as part of their programme and do not always have the theoretical background, this text helps to put working with babies into context.
This will be a valuable resource for students completing unit 35 of national diploma. it covers so many aspects in detail that is geared at their level.
Very current text, Highly recommend as it provided strong links between theory and practice. A good book for students who are new to working with babies and young children as it provides excellent case studies to support understanding in practice
A much needed book for students and practitioners working with babies and toddlers- as they can often be overlooked in more generic texts.
Recommended particularly for students with little experience of working with children of this age.
I will ensure the leaning centre stocks this book, it will help support the students on the early years courses throughout college.
The book is broken down into informative chapters, this will help the students when planning their own environments.
The book is set out clearlyand offers a set of case studies to help the learning process, with a good section on the role of the adult.
Love the focus on environments throughout the book and the case studies add the extra depth to bring things to life.
good starting point when considering the environment and the impact this may have
