The Early Years Foundation Stage: Theory and Practice

by Ioanna Palaiologou (Editor)

Overview

With the advent of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) national framework for educating children from Birth to 5, early years workers face fresh challenges.

By combining sound theoretical underpinning with practical case studies, this book offers a critical approach to the implementation of the EYFS. It takes its inspiration and examples of best practice from projects based in a range of early years settings, and considers the role of the practitioner and the holistic development of the child.

Part One looks at policy, pedagogy and key issues in practice surrounding the implementation of the EYFS, and Part Two looks at the areas of learning and development in EYFS. Ways to plan, implement, observe and evaluate activities for young children from Birth to 5 are discussed, a range of theoretical perspectives is built on and different ways of delivering the EYFS are explored.

In each chapter there are objectives, summaries, questions for discussion, key points to remember, further reading and useful websites.

Suitable for students undertaking any early years or early childhood course, or those working towards Early Years professional status (EYPS), this book is an essential and informative read.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781529630343
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	10/21/2024
Edition description:	Fifth Edition
Pages:	448
Product dimensions:	7.32(w) x 9.13(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dr. Ioanna Palaiologou CPsychol AFBPs S is an Academic Associate at the UCL Institute of Education. She is also a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society with a specialism in child development and learning theories. Her research interests focus on ethics, child development, the role of digital technologies and implications on pedagogy.

Table of Contents

List of figures and tables vii

Acknowledgements ix

List of Contributors xi

Preface xv

Part 1 Policy, Pedagogy and Key Issues in Practice 1

1 Policy Context in England and the Implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage Ioanna Palaiologou 3

2 The National Picture Ioanna Palaiologou Glenda Walsh Elizabeth Dunphy Sue Lyle Junnine Thomas-Williams 19

3 Pedagogy in Context Sally Howard 38

4 Assessment in the Early Years Foundation Stage Ioanna Palaiologou Maura Bangs 53

5 Using Learning Stories in the Early Years Foundation Stage David Coates Wendy Thomson 67

6 Working in Partnership Ally Dunbill 81

7 Effective Transitions into and out of the Early Years Foundation Stage Ioanna Palaiologou Alex Hallowes 94

8 Meeting EYFS Outcomes Outside of the Early Years Setting Wendy Thomson 106

Part 2 The Areas of Learning and Development in EYFS 121

9 Personal, Social and Emotional Development Ioanna Palaiologou 123

10 Communication, Language and Literacy Ioanna Palaiologou 138

11 Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy David Needham 153

12 Knowledge and Understanding of the World Gary Beauchamp 167

13 Physical Development Ioanna Palaiologou 178

14 Creative Development Nick Owen 190

References 210

Index 233

Editorial Reviews

'This is particularly useful now that so much of the guidance that supported the original version of the EYFS framework has been archived and is harder to access'

Early Years Update

'When I showed my inspection copy to the Foundation degree Programme Director, she said it was the whole programme in a nutshell'
- Denise Reardon, Senior Lecturer, Canterbury Christ Church University

From the Publisher

The third edition of this book has managed to bring yet another fresh look at the EYFS. There is no doubt about its usefulness as a valuable source of information about the theory and practice of the EYFS. Readers are encouraged to view the content through the use of different lenses, namely political, social and pedagogical lenses, thus helping the reader to develop different perspectives. I will be recommending this book to students on Early Childhood Education and Care courses.

Dr. Jackie Musgrave

The nee edition of the The Early Years Foundation Stage is a book which offers a close examination of early learning. It informs the reader and provokes questions. This is important because as soon as questions are asked they influence how the curriculum is seen in practice and its relationship with the learning environment. They also touch upon moral and social issues. The book therefore enhances effective practice, because developing a detailed knowledge of curriculum requirements and challenging assumptions ensures a deep consideration of what children should learn and how they learn.

Michael Reed