Pre-school Education: A Review of Policy, Practice and Research
- ISBN-10
- 0642067880
- ISBN-13
- 9780642067883
- Pages
- 213
- Language
- English
- Published
- 1981
- Publisher
- Australian Government Pub. Service
- Author
- Australia. Department of Education
Description
This document discusses research and thinking about several countries' experiences in providing early childhood education and services, and additionally, describes current early childhood education in the Australian states and territories. Following the first chapter's brief provision of background information about preschool education in Australia, the second chapter offers a research review. Research described focuses on the state of the art, the importance of early childhood, children at risk, language, cognitive development, teaching strategies, teachers, child/staff ratios and group size, Head Start and other U.S. programs, parent education, coordination of services, and Australian research studies. The third chapter describes the experience of countries other than Australia in terms of historical perspectives and current developments. Discussion closing this chapter explores several issues, including setting priorities, structuring children's early experiences, accountability, benefits of preschool, administration, parent involvement, and implications of women's changing role for early childhood services. The fourth chapter explores the Australian situation, providing a national overview and specific discussions concerning each state and territory. Additionally discussed are current practices, preschool curriculum, special groups, teachers and teacher education, aboriginal preschool education, preschool education in multicultural Australia, and the role of federal government in early childhood services. A brief depiction of possible future developments is provided in the fifth and final chapter. (RH)
