Starting from the Child supports early years practitioners to be advocates for young children and their learning needs. In the fourth edition of this highly influential and inspirational book, Julie Fisher outlines the important theories and research which should underpin best early years practice. She takes a robust and principled stand against downward pressure to formalise young childrenOs learning too soon, and offers practical and meaningful ways to develop high quality learning and teaching in the early years.Starting from the Child challenges all early years practitioners to consider:O How to build on childrenOs innate desire to learn and their competence and autonomy as effective early learnersO How to plan environments indoors and out that make learning irresistibleO How to plan for high quality child-initiated learning to take place seamlessly alongside learning that is adult-initiatedO The role of the adult in supporting and extending young childrenOs learningO How daily observation of children informs and underpins planning for their individual and unique learning needsRevised and updated throughout, this fourth edition includes the latest research on early brain development and reference to recent government initiatives including the revised Early Years Foundation Stage. Starting from the Child is essential reading, not only for early years practitioners, but for all those who manage and make decisions about early learning.OJulie draws on her extensive work with practitioners to present the everyday realities and complexities of their practice, and to sound welcome notes of caution about the ways in which policy frameworks are used... The book also reflects deeply held convictions about the moral and ethical responsibilities we have to teach young children in ways that respect their extraordinary enthusiasm for learning.OProfessor Elizabeth Wood, University of Sheffield, UKOThe title says it all. Julie takes the reader by the hand and says NLook and listen, give these children your full and respectful attention and they will teach you how to be with them.O All the practical ideas in the book support practitioners in using their skills and knowledge to recognise early childhood as valuable in its own right - to be relished and enjoyed, not to be rushed through or seen merely as preparation for the next stage.OHelen Moylett, Early Years Consultant and writer OJulie FisherOs work has been a staple of Early Childhood Education since the first edition of Starting from the Child in 1996. Her fourth edition does not disappoint, and is a welcome development of her thinking...aThis is a book for students, teachers and other early years workers seeking to find their way through the conflicting needs of a rapidly changing area of work.ONick Swarbrick, Programme Lead for the Undergraduate Modular Programme in the School of Education, Oxford Brookes University, UK