This book brings together leading academics and practitioners to provide research-informed strategies for nurturing young children as spiritual beings. Globalization and performativity have led to a narrowing of education in early years settings and schools, and this book considers the types of knowledge and capabilities children and educators need to address the challenges this presents. The chapters explore and critique existing practices in a range of areas including sustainability, inclusion, relationships with parents, ethics of care, and the role of the arts. Written by contributors based in Australia, Canada, Malta, the UK and the USA, the book offers theoretical discussion and practical strategies to help educators nurture young children's spirituality emphasising holistic approaches and caring relationships as an antidote to current neoliberal discourse.
Arvustused
This is an important volume for the field of Early Childhood internationally. With the voice of the child central to the premise, it presents a range of insights and practices that highlight how practitioners might encourage young children to navigate identity and relationships within an increasingly complex world. -- Dr. Ruth Wills, Early Chilldhood lecturer, Liverpool Hope University, UK A thought-provoking read for all educators, leaders and researchers in early childhood. The editors have curated a collection of chapters that challenge the dominant culture of globalization and performativity by re-orienting the vision of the child as a spiritual-being. The chapters weave together the case for spirituality in its myriad of experiences and expressions in childhood, drawn together by the common thread of questioning assumptions whilst promoting the spiritual child. -- Christine Robinson, Associate Dean, University of Notre Dame, Australia This is a well-timed and well-researched book which, through a spiritual lens, will inform policies and practices in Early Childhood Education. It reminds educators of their ethical responsibility to encourage respectful and authentic relationships, thereby nurturing the whole child and promoting learning and wellbeing for all children in their care. -- Marian de Souza, Retired, formerly Honorary Associate Professor, Federation University, Australia.
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Brings together leading academics and practitioners to provide research-informed strategies for nurturing young children as spiritual beings.
Introduction: Understanding the Changing Context of Early Years
Education in a Globalized World, Elizabeth Rouse (Deakin University,
Australia), Brendan Hyde (Deakin University, Australia) and Tony Eaude
(University of Oxford, UK)
Part I: New Understandings of Childrens Spirituality
1. Relationality, Connectedness and Play: The Spiritual Dimension of Young
Childrens Friendships?, Kate Adams (Institute of Childhood and Education,
Leeds Trinity University, UK)
2. Constructing Understandings of Spirituality in Australian Early Years
Immersive Nature Play Programmes, Fran Hughes (University of New England,
Australia)
3. Exploring U.S. Early Childhood Educators Understanding of Spirituality
and How it Can Be Fostered in Teacher Preparation, Jennifer Mata-McMahon
(University of Maryland, Baltimore County, USA)
4. The Influence of Kirtan on the Foundation of Spirituality in a Sikh Early
Years Setting, Japjit Kaur Pnaiser (Newman University, UK)
5. No Degree Required: Tracing the Contours of the Theological Imaginations
of Young Children, Dave M. Csinos (Atlantic School of Theology, Halifax,
Canada)
Part II: How the Lens of the Spiritual Child Alters Our Understanding of
Children and How To Nurture Them
6. Sustainability, Spirituality and Early Childhood: Its All About
Relationships, Wendy Ellyatt (The Flourish Project, UK)
7. Encouraging Curiosity, Creativity, Imagination and Playfulness as a
Counter to Performativity Throughout the Early Years, Tony Eaude (Independent
researcher, affiliated with University of Oxford, UK)
8. Engaging Childrens Capabilities for Learning Capabilities, Joyce E.
Bellous (retired) (McMaster University, Canada)
9. Its All Just a Big Family: Building Relationships With Parents to
Foster Children's Spiritual Wellbeing, Elizabeth Rouse (Deakin University,
Australia) and Fay Hadley (Macquarie University, Australia)
10. Fostering Spirituality in Infants and Toddlers: Reciprocity and
Relationality for Creating Spiritual Connections, Nicole Downes (Deakin
University, Australia) and Elizabeth Rouse (Deakin University, Australia)
Part III: Environments, Curricula and Pedagogies
11. Conceptualizing Childrens Spirituality for Equity and Inclusion:
Celebrating Strengths, Community and Friendships, Kathleen Harris (Seton Hill
University, USA)
12. Creating and Sustaining Inclusive, Hospitable Environments To Nurture
Young Children Holistically, Tony Eaude (Independent researcher, affiliated
with University of Oxford, UK)
13. Shifting the Landscape From Performativity to a Consideration of
Spatial Affordances, Brendan Hyde (Deakin University, Australia)
14. Locating Spirituality at the Core of the Reggio Emilia Approach for Early
Childhood, Kathianne Farrugia (Department of Early Childhood and Primary
Education, University of Malta, Malga) and Adrian-Mario Gellel (Department of
Early Childhood and Primary Education, University of Malta, Malta)
15. Spirituality and the Arts in Early Childhood Education: The Cultural
Considerations Companion for Enriched Engagement, Catherine Oxworth
(Federation University, Australia) and Bin Wu (Swinburne University,
Australia)
16. Reframing Play through the Spiritual Lens, Christine Robinson (University
of Notre Dame, Australia)
Conclusion:Challenges and Opportunities Ahead, Elizabeth Rouse (Deakin
University, Australia), Brendan Hyde (Deakin University, Australia) and Tony
Eaude (University of Oxford, UK)
Index
Elizabeth Rouse is Associate Professor in Education, Early Childhood at Deakin University, Australia.
Brendan Hyde is Senior Lecturer in Education, Pedagogy and Curriculum at Deakin University, Australia.
Tony Eaude is an independent researcher, affiliated with Oxford University, UK.
