Challenging dominant discourses in the field of early childhood
education, this book provides an accessible introduction to some of the
alternative narratives and diverse perspectives that are increasingly to
be heard in this field, as well as discussing the importance of
paradigm, politics and ethics.
Peter Moss draws on material published in the groundbreaking Contesting
Early Childhood series to introduce readers to thinking that questions
the mainstream approach to early childhood education and to offer rich
examples to illustrate how this thinking is being put to work in
practice. Key topics addressed include:
-
dominant discourses in today's early childhood education - and what is
meant by 'dominant discourse'
-
why politics and ethics are the starting points for early childhood
education
-
Reggio Emilia as an example of an alternative narrative
-
the relevance to early childhood education of thinkers such as Michel
Foucault and Gilles Deleuze and of theoretical positions such as
posthumanism.
An enlightening read for students and practitioners, as well as
policymakers, academics and parents, this book is intended for anyone
who wants to think more about early childhood education and delve deeper
into new perspectives and debates in this field.