This best‎-selling text book provides a broad‎-ranging and up‎-to‎-date review of thinking and best practice within nursery and infant education‎.‎ Written around the basic truth that an effective early years curriculum must start with the children‎,‎ their needs and their potential‎,‎ the contributors to this classic text acknowledge that learning must have a strong element of fun‎,‎ wonder and excitement‎.‎ Fully revised and updated in light of recent changes to the Early Years curriculum‎,‎ with brand new chapters on assessment‎,‎ communication‎,‎ writing‎,‎ creativity and diversity‎,‎ the contributors address a range of fundamental issues and principles‎,‎ including‎:‎ * an analysis of research into how children learn‎;‎ * discussions of issues such as classroom organisation‎,‎ curriculum management‎,‎ and assessment‎;‎ * a detailed section on play and language‎;‎ * chapters covering individual curriculum areas‎,‎ including new chapters on music and PSHE‎.‎ Each chapter combines a review of important principles with practical and inspiring classroom examples throughout‎.‎It is essential reading for all Foundations Stage and KS1 trainee teachers‎,‎ their tutors and mentors‎,‎ and serving teachers working in the 3‎-7 age range who wish to reflect upon and develop their practice‎.‎