A comprehensive overview of sociology and its importance to the field of ECE, revealing how a child is shaped and impacted, both positively and negatively, within and by their society.

Introduces many of the fundamentals of sociology: how sociology is defined; the sociological perspective; and the core concepts and dominant perspectives in sociology

Explains sociology of ECE concepts such as understanding learning, pedagogy and care and how these are embedded within, and reflective of, a societys culture, values and policies

Examines how we understand childrens learning, its function and how more traditional ideas are being challenged in the transition to more child as an agent in their own learning understandings

Introduces concepts such as culture, the family and health with reference to ECE as well as inequality and social issues in society and their implications for ECE

Defines the perspectives of social constructionism, social structuralism, ethnography and the child standpoint approach

Discusses the issue of agency against the backdrop of the UNCRC and a rights vs needs approach

WRITTEN FOR:

Any student embarking on a course on sociology and social policy in early childhood education

Professional practitioners and educators in early childhood learning and care.

THE AUTHOR