Understanding the Under 3s and the Implications for Education

This book originated from an awareness of the persistent lack of knowledge supporting a more respectful reception and approach to the youngest in our changing societies. It follows initiatives of networks of researchers from several countries, sharing insights from current studies carried out in their different cultures. Introduced by a state of art review-like chapter on birth to 3 literature, the book, which can be pictured as a composition, begins with a journey inside the creativity of these young persons and a picture of a companionable learning. It deals with the role of the spatial and physical dimensions of the setting and pictures how the educator can create meaningful participation and launch early exercises in democracy, with respect for diversities. It provides a deeper understanding of a pedagogical accompaniment based on ‘participatory alliance’ and of the development of communication and language. The text will be a useful addition to researchers, practitioners, and other stakeholders.

This book was originally published as a special issue of the European Early Childhood Education Research Journal.

Sylvie Rayna is researching and teaching at the French Institute of Education (IFE) in the Ecole Normale Supérieure of Lyon (ENSL) and at University Paris 13 where she is in charge of the research program ‘Early Childhood’ within the research center EXPERICE. She has worked on socio-cognitive development and carried out evaluations of ECEC policies and comparative studies.

Ferre Laevers is director of the Research Centre for Experiential Education (EXE) based at the University of Leuven, Belgium. Through practice oriented research, development and dissemination EXE became an influential educational movement with concepts, instruments and materials inspiring researchers, practitioners and policy makers in ECEC all over the world.