Supporting Transitions in the Early Years

"Supporting Transitions in the Early Years" explores the whole range of early childhood transitions, rather than simply looking at starting school or pre-school. It helps parents, practitioners, policy-makers and Early Years students at every level, to understand and support the successive transitions made by young children from birth to five.

Starting from a discussion of the rapid pace of change in current societies, and children's need to acquire flexibility and resilience in adapting to change, it offers examples of transitions such as: Babies and toddlers moving into under-3s care Pre-schoolers moving into school Reception children moving into formal learning classrooms Support for the transitions of children with English as an additional language or special needs At each stage, individual case studies are discussed in relation to relevant theories of development and learning, and contemporary perspectives on children's well-being and children's rights. The international case studies offer clear examples of the ways that adults in high-quality settings can work together with parents to strengthen children's positive dispositions.

The book highlights key qualities - resilience, resourcefulness and reciprocity - which adults should seek to foster in children, to facilitate their current transitions and prepare them for a future of change. The author also underlines the importance of listening to children from birth onwards, if we are to offer the kind of caring and educative environments that will best support their well-being.


About the Author
Liz Brooker is Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood at the Institute of Education, University of London, UK. She was a former Early Years teacher and her current research interests include children's perspectives on their play and learning, and the experiences of under-3s in group settings.