Early Childhood Theories Today
Second Edition
Edited by:
- Aaron Bradbury - Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
- Ruth Swailes
July 2025 | 200 pages | Learning Matters
If you work in the early years, you have probably heard of Montessori and Bronfenbrenner - but have you heard of Bavolek, Fisher or Page? Contemporary theorists and theories of early childhood learning have much to teach us. It is often forgotten that this learning is still evolving and that new voices are joining the discussion every year.
With new chapters on Maslow, Bowlby, Piaget and Vygotsky, this second edition introduces you to some contemporary theorists and explores their work alongside more well-known thinkers. It demonstrates how these theories relate to everyday practice in the early years and that discussion of them can support ongoing professional learning.
With new chapters on Maslow, Bowlby, Piaget and Vygotsky, this second edition introduces you to some contemporary theorists and explores their work alongside more well-known thinkers. It demonstrates how these theories relate to everyday practice in the early years and that discussion of them can support ongoing professional learning.
Aaron Bradbury
Abraham Maslow
Tamsin Grimmer
Urie Bronfenbrenner (1917-2005)
David Wright
John Bowlby
Kate Irvine
Pierre Bourdieu (1930 – 2002)
Meredith Rose
Friedrich Froebel (1782 – 1852)
Ruth Swailes
Jean Piaget
Angelica Celinska
Lev Vygotsky
Philippa Thompson
Tina Bruce
Valerie Daniel
Loris Malaguzzi (1920 – 1994)
Pam Jarvis
Steiner and Isaacs: Strangers in a strange land: exploring the past; projecting the future