World Class Initiatives and Practices in Early Education

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-viii

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2. Antecedents and Present Developments in Universal Preschool Education

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

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   2. The Evolution of Universal Preschool Education in a Global Age

      • Louise Boyle Swiniarski

      Pages 3-19

   3. Climbing the Mountains: The Journey to Quality Prekindergarten in Tennessee

      • Rebecca Isbell

      Pages 21-31

   4. Florida’s Voluntary Universal Prekindergarten: A Citizen’s Initiative Meets Political and Policy Realities

      • Lynn Hartle, Alisa S. Ghazvini

      Pages 33-52

3. Curriculum Initiatives for Early Childhood Programs in a Global Age

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 53-53

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   2. Opening Doors in Northern Chile: The International School of Arica

      • Michelle Pierce

      Pages 55-66

   3. Identity, Materials, and Pedagogy: Girls in Primary Science Classrooms in Wales

      • Cleti Cervoni

      Pages 67-80

   4. Let’s Get Talking: Communication, Language and Literacy in the Early Years

      • Avril Brock

      Pages 81-100

   5. China’s Educational Reform and Its Impact on Early Childhood Curriculum

      • Yaoying Xu, Bing Liu

      Pages 101-118

4. Beyond the Walls of the School and Center

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 119-119

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   2. Rhyme Times, Treasure Baskets and Books: How Early Years Libraries Can Help to Deliver the Best Start

      • Carolynn Rankin

      Pages 121-137

   3. The Politics of Play in England: An Appeal to the Houses of Parliament

      • Pat Broadhead

      Pages 139-154

   4. Cross-Sector Partnerships for Early Education and Care

      • Mary-Lou Breitborde

      Pages 155-164

   5. The Science Art and Writing (SAW) Initiative

      • Jenni Rant

      Pages 165-181

5. Back Matter

   Pages 183-193

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This book offers current international initiatives, developed for working with children from “Birth to Eight” by a diverse group of noted professional authors. Their readings present an overview of early education as it evolved from the Froebelian kindergarten to today’s practices in various Early Education settings around the globe. The international voices of the authors represent a balanced perspective of happenings in various nations and lend a conversational approach to each chapter. The chapters analyze the Universal Preschool Education movement promoted by various countries, states, and agencies; examine model curriculum programs in a variety of teaching/learning settings; and identify directions the community can take in promoting effective early education programs. Particular attention is given to key issues and concerns faced by practitioners and families world-wide. Studies reveal successful approaches to bilingual education in a Chilean kindergarten, research findings on gender differences in primary school girls for learning science in Wales, literacy development strategies for teaching in UK multicultural classrooms and childhood centres, the process of integration special education with early childhood practices in China, and exemplars of community outreach to improve the well being of children through advocacy for governmental changes in early education policies and professional development. This book is for everyone interested in the well being of young children moving forward in a global age to meet the challenges of early citizenship in their world.

• Chinese education
• Froebelian kindergarten
• Universal Preschool Education movement
• child center models
• community engagement
• early language development
• gender differences
• global education
• integration special education
• literacy development strategies
• model curriculum programs
• playful learning
• second language acquisition

• School of Education, Salem State University, Salem, USA

  Louise Boyle Swiniarski

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