Includes bibliographical references.

Introduction / Stuart Reife -- Transforming ideas and practices / Susan Grieshaber, Sharon Ryan -- Voices at the table: an analysis of collaboration in the policy process for a local preschool initiative / Lucinda G. Heimer -- (De) Centering the kindergarten prototype in the child-centered classroom / Elizabeth Graue -- Teaching notes / Felicity McArdle -- The amorphous pretend play curriculum: theorizing embodied synthetic multicultural props / Richard Johnson -- Implementing Te Whàriki / Jenny Ritchie -- Postcolonial theory and the practice of teacher education / Radhika Viruru -- Becoming early childhood teachers: linking action research and postmodern theory in a language and literacy course / Celia Genishi, Shin-ying Huang, Tamara Glupczynski -- Putting postmodern theories into practice in early childhood teacher education / Jennifer Sumsion -- Challenging the culture of expertise: moving beyond training the always, already failing early childhood educator / Sue Novinger, Leigh O'Brien, Lou Sweigman -- Improvisation: postmodern play for early childhood teachers / Carrie Lobman.

Both traditional and progressive curricula are inadequate for the task of responding to the economic, political, social, and cultural changes that have occurred as a result of globalization. This book documents some of the ongoing work occurring in early childhood settings that is aimed at improving, and ultimately transforming, early childhood practice in these changed and changing times. The authors do not simply critique developmental approaches or the increasing standardization of the field. Instead, they describe how they are playing around with postmodern ideas in practice and developing unique approaches to the diverse educational circumstances that confront early childhood educators. Whether it is preparing teachers, using materials, or developing policies, each chapter provides readers with possibilities for enacting pedagogies that are responsive to the contemporary circumstances shaping the lives of young children.

Description based on print version record.