Trends and Issues in Early Childhood Education.

Overview & Synopsis

This booklet contains a collection of three symposium papers dealing with current trends and issues in New Zealand early childhood education: (1) "Implications for Teacher Training of New Trends in Pre-School Education", (2) "Professionalism in Early Childhood Education: Some Trends", and (3) "Innovation in Pre-School Programmes." The first paper suggests some implications for training the early childhood educator, based on an examination of the aims of preschool education as outlined in a Department of Education report. The second paper traces the trend toward professionalism in New Zealand early childhood education, particularly with regard to length of training, widening range of responsibility, and willingness to be evaluated. The third paper outlines some of the pressures for innovation in New Zealand preschool programs, discusses some of the barriers preventing innovation, and suggests the kinds of innovation that might prove acceptable to those working in the field of early childhood education in New Zealand. (CS)