LibGuides: Early Childhood Education and Services: Ebooks

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Open Educational Resources (OER): ebooks that are licensed by authors/publishers to be freely used. E.g. CAVAL OER Collective.
Books may be available through internet archives once their copyright expires (e.g. 19th Century theorists). E.g. Open Library and Project Gutenberg (Australia).

Popular ebooks

Early childhood education: Society and culture
This edition examines sociocultural and historical approaches to current theories of learning in early childhood education. It sets out research-based evidence linking theory and practice in early childhood settings. The book is structured around four overall themes: the dynamics of learning and teaching, the nature of knowledge, assessment evaluation, and quality.
Foundations of early childhood education
Improve the quality of early care and education programs with the latest research and best practices. This book features skill-building with a solid theoretical base and provides an overview of early childhood programs through the use of examples, anecdotes, and scenarios. Learn what makes a quality program, where children will gain the foundation they need for school success and beyond.
Understanding early childhood education and care in Australia
A foundational text for pre-service teachers explaining the theories, policies and pedagogies that shape the provision of early childhood education and care in Australia.
Writing skills for education students
This concise text will help your students get to grips with the core academic skills they need to succeed at written assignments, including critical thinking, reading, note-making and assignment planning. It also equips students with practical strategies for reflecting on their learning and placement experiences and using observational data from their placements in written assignments.

Theories of childhood: An introduction to Dewey, Montessori, Erikson, Piaget & Vygotsky
Examine the work of five groundbreaking education theoristsJohn Dewey, Maria Montessori, Erik Erikson, Jean Piaget, and Lev Vygotskyin relation to early childhood.
Influencing early childhood education: Key figures, philosophies and ideas
This book explores the thinking and ideas of a range of figures and movements which have influenced the development of early childhood education. The ideas are placed in an historical context and connections between them are identified.
How children learn: From Montessori to Vygosky - educational theories and approaches made easy
An introduction to the pioneers of educational theory. This book includes profiles on Vygotsky, Steiner, Montessori and Froebel, as well as 24 other theorists.
How Children Learn - Book 2: An overview of theories on children's literacy, linguistics and intelligence
A readable discussion of the key ideas of child development and theory, including how children acquire language, the meaning of intelligence and creativity, as well as how best to teach children to read and write.
How children learn - book 3: Contemporary thinking and theorists
This book summarises the ideas of educational theorists and psychologists of the last 60 years, from Elinor Goldschmied to Tina Bruce. It also looks at the important contemporary issues in early years education, from whether boys and girls learn differently to the role of the community in the early years setting.
Educational psychology for learning and teaching
Introduces key theories of development and learning to help you understand how learners learn and how educators can be more effective in their teaching practice.
Ways of learning: Learning theories for the classroom
Ways of Learning has been widely used and now, fully updated, it seeks to provide further insight into the ways in which learning takes place, which teachers can make use of in their planning and teaching, including: ■ an overview of learning ■ behaviourism and the beginning of theory ■ cognitive and constructivist learning ■ multiple intelligences and learning styles ■ difficulties with learning ■ the influence of neuropsychology ■ other theories, philosophies and names ■ relating theory to practice.
Shaping early childhood: Learners, curriculum and contexts
The book presents the latest research and thinking about good practice, discusses how various philosophies and beliefs influence decisions in early childhood education, and identifies the key thinkers behind each approach.

Primary sources are useful for immediate, first-hand accounts of a topic, from people who had a direct connection with it.

Frames of mind: The theory of multiple intelligences | Gardner
First published in 1983 and now available with a new introduction by the author, Gardner's trailblazing book revolutionized the worlds of education and psychology by positing that rather than a single type of intelligence, we have several--most of which are neglected by standard testing and educational methods.
The Montessori method
The Montessori method is characterized by an emphasis on self-directed activity on the part of the child and clinical observation on the part of the teacher.
The absorbent mind | Montessori
he Absorbent Mind was Maria Montessori's most in-depth work on her educational theory, based on decades of scientific observation of children. Her view on children and their absorbent minds was a landmark departure from the educational model at the time. This book helped start a revolution in education.
The psychology of intelligence | Piaget
Jean Piaget's theory of learning lies at the very heart of the modern understanding of the human learning process, and he is celebrated as the founding father of child psychology. The Psychology of Intelligence is one of his most important works on developmental psychology.

Curriculum and assessment: Storylines
Curriculum and Assessment uses storylines to provide students with a solid understanding of how theoretical considerations relate to the practicalities of teaching curriculum. Stories are used as a way of recognising the dynamic themes of curriculum and enable understanding about the issues on which they are based. The most important curriculum questions, critical problems and issues faced by educators are dealt with in an engaging manner, equipping students to enter the classroom and use curriculum and assessment to create rich and ongoing learning experiences.
Emergent curriculum in early childhood Settings: From theory to practice
This book explores, from both the teacher’s and the student’s perspectives, how emergent curriculum principles and practices can improve any early childhood program. Sections on observation, documentation, assessment, and relationships that support learning provide a complete subject overview.
The hundred languages of children: the Reggio Emilia experience in transformation
Why does the city of Reggio Emilia in northern Italy feature one of the best public systems of early education in the world? This book documents the comprehensive and innovative approach that utilizes the'hundred languages of children' to support their well-being and foster their intellectual development.
In dialogue with Reggio Emilia: Listening, researching and learning
The early childhood programme of Reggio Emilia in Italy is acclaimed as one of the best education systems in the world and this book offers the unique insight of Carlina Rinaldi, the former director of the municipal early childhood centres in Reggio Emilia and successor to Loris Malaguzzi, one of the twentieth century's leading pedagogical thinkers.
The unscripted classroom : Emergent curriculum in action
Emergent curriculum encourages early childhood educators to use creativity and flexibility as they respond to classroom challenges and children’s interests. Filled with case studies and stories from toddler and preschool teachers about their experiences responding to events in their own classroom. A review of the emergent curriculum philosophy and an examination of the many ways creativity in teaching benefits children are included.

The art of awareness: How observation can transform your teaching
Learning to closely observe children requires commitment to systematic study and ongoing practice. Nine observation study sessions help educators of young children discover the many ways that being observant can enhance their teaching.
Learning through child observation
Examines the value of observation, its use in assessment and the practical aspects and methods of observational study. The authors focus on the importance of fully recognising the child's developmental and emotional state when intervening, and the need to see children 'holistically' and as unique individuals within the wider context of the family and community.
Pedagogical documentation in early childhood: Sharing children's learning and teachers' thinking
Pedagogical Documentation in Early Childhood is an inspiring step-by-step guide to documenting children's ideas, questions, play, and learning in a way that enhances teachers' thinking and understanding at the same time.
Planning and observation of children under three
Taking a holistic approach to supporting children's learning, it shows how a range of observation strategies can provide insight into children's social, emotional, physical and cognitive development and practically demonstrates how practitioners can develop appropriate planning and observation techniques for babies and toddlers.
Planning for play, observation, and learning in preschool and kindergarten
Play is an important vehicle for learning in the early years. With intentional planning frameworks, this resource provides teachers with tools and strategies to organize and develop curriculum around high-level, purposeful play. Practical application techniques help teachers create a cycle of planning and observation as they use a play-based curriculum to help young children thrive in the classroom.

Classroom management: Creating positive learning environment
Empowers you to develop an individual classroom management plan that suits your professional philosophy and teaching style. Using the Lyford model as a scaffold, the authors: - compare and contrast the main theories and models that currently inform practice in Australian classrooms; - explore key practices for creating positive learning environments that will engage students and reduce the chance of disruptions; and - discuss a range of intervention strategies to consider when faced with challenging student behaviours.
Doing action research in early childhood studies
This guide is a resource and inspiration for people in the early childhood field who wish to do action research but are unsure as to precisely what it means and how to do it. Written in a lively and accessible style, it features extensive case studies of contemporary action research projects in diverse early childhood settings in several contexts and countries; and it advises readers how to design and conduct an action research project that meets their particular needs.
Early childhood leadership in action
The principles and practice of confident and creative leadership for early childhood pre-service teachers and educators
Leadership: Contexts and complexities in early childhood education
Leadership will provoke and challenge you to think and question the way you look at and engage in leadership matters within your early childhood setting and beyond. This book is in two parts. The first provides an orientation to the various contextual dimensions of early childhood leadership. Part two deals with the application of leadership within early childhood settings.
Learning together with young children: A curriculum framework for reflective teachers
The book helps teachers create materials and a classroom culture reflective of their values: Teach through observation, reflection, inquiry, and action, and encourage children to represent their learning in multiple ways, including songs, stories, and drama.
Teaching: Challenges and dilemmas
Highlights the complexities of teaching and learning and the daily challenges, helping readers to develop the competencies needed to become outstanding teachers: communication, understanding pedagogy, assessment of learning and curriculum, lesson planning, classroom management, reflective practice and comprehending learner diversity.
Young children's behaviour
An evidence-based text for pre-service teachers explaining how to develop children's capacity for self-regulation in childcare settings and early years of school.

Asserting a culture of child safety: Offering children the protection and care that they deserve
Child protection training, undertaken by educators, maintains a general knowledge of what to do if concerns arise. The purpose of this book is to help the early childhood sector to be working from a position of earlier identification and prevention. This book is a step-by-step guide to champion children's safety and wellbeing. As a practical tool, it will give clarification and confidence about what to do to create a culture of child safety at your education and care organisation.
Educating exceptional children
Introduces readers to each of the thirteen disability categories, and discusses the needs of children who are gifted and talented.
Education for inclusion and diversity
his Australian text gives students a broad understanding of the principles of inclusive education, and the ways in which teachers can accommodate the differing learning needs of their students.
Exceptionally gifted children
Exceptionally Gifted Children follows 15 highly gifted children through school and their intellectual, social and emotional development. This 20 year study reveals the ongoing negative academic and social effects of prolonged underachievement and social isolation imposed on gifted children by inappropriate curriculum and class placement and shows clearly the long lasting benefits of thoughtfully planned individual educational programs.
Growing up Aboriginal in Australia
Childhood stories of family, country and belonging What is it like to grow up Aboriginal in Australia? Accounts from well-known authors and high-profile identities sit alongside those from newly discovered writers of all ages. This groundbreaking collection will enlighten, inspire and educate about the lives of Aboriginal people in Australia today.
Growing up disabled in Australia
Compiled by writer and appearance activist Carly Findlay OAM - more than forty writers with a disability or chronic illness share their stories, in their own words.
Growing up Torres Strait Islander in Australia
A journey through Torres Strait Islander culture and identity, past and present.
Health and well-being in early childhood
This textbook draws on contemporary research on the brain and mind to provide an up-to-date overview of the central aspects of young children's health and well-being.
Including one, including all: A guide to relationship-based early childhood inclusion
Inclusive early childhood settings benefit all children, whether or not they have identified special needs. Including One, Including All provides theoretical, conceptual, and practical information on relationship-based, inclusive practices for early childhood classrooms.
Inclusive education for the 21st century
An introduction to the foundational principles and evidence-based classroom strategies for effective inclusive education in both primary and secondary schools.
Roots and wings: Affirming culture and preventing bias in early childhood
This clear and practical guide includes expanded information on English language learners, family engagement, culturally responsive teaching, and staff training.
What if all the kids are white?: Anti-bias multiculture education with young children and families
In this updated edition, two distinguished early childhood educators tackle the crucial topic of what White children need and gain from anti-bias and multicultural education.
What teachers need to know about students with disabilities
All mainstream teachers need to acquire a good working knowledge of the nature of disabilities and their potential effects on learning and development. In particular, teachers need to be aware of research-based methods that have proved most effective in meeting the educational needs of these students. This book aims to provide teachers with this essential information in a form that is easy to read and understand.