This article emphasises the importance of research that helps us to understand how things are in early childhood education and care, why they are the way they are, what are the alternative decisions or actions we might take in order to change things and what are the implications of choosing among those alternatives. As an illustration of this, it…

Argues for departure from prevailing isolationist research and policy focus on young children. Supports analysis of how diverse contexts and environments not only support or surround children's development but also how the cultural "bathwater" enters into the shaping and elaboration of the baby it supports. Focuses on child development within…

Asserts that the work of early childhood educators in most European countries has been informed by theory and research underpinned by developmental psychology, and that the recent questioning of this discipline is healthy. Calls on early childhood educators to problematize assumptions derived from developmental psychology and search for new…

Discusses how modernization processes (rationalization, secularization, and individuation) produce continuous change in children's life conditions in the Scandinavian welfare states. Argues that scientific knowledge about early childhood fails because it abstracts children from their particular contexts. Proposes that "childhood" is the particular…

Explores how ideas about early learning have developed over time and proposes a new pedagogical view that goes beyond the deprivation model. Identifies three antinomies that have emerged as ideas about early learning. Concludes that children must be accepted as members and participants in the culture and be given opportunities to make and remake…

Explores how quality in early childhood services is defined and examines the implications of working within the inclusionary approach. Argues that the choice of paradigm for working with quality is of the greatest importance for early childhood services. Concludes by noting that an inclusionary approach to quality fits best with the concept of…

Discusses how and at what level teachers of young children should be trained by comparing the present training schemes in England, Sweden, and Spain. Suggests the need for (1) rapid expansion of educational provision for children from birth; (2) reconsideration of current curriculum and teaching methodology; and (3) expansion of opportunities for…

This speech (1) outlines the educational mission of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; (2) points out the growing recognition by member governments that support for preschool and early intervention programs is a worthwhile investment; and (3) maintains that governments alone should not attempt to mastermind the policies…

Discusses the Swedish family support system and presents the results of a study of the intellectual and socioemotional development of 110 Swedish children from early childhood through age 16. Found that socioeconomic background and the age when they first entered public day care had a significant influence on the subjects' intellectual and…