Textbooks and teaching resources : report from the early childhood classroom in Australia

The current global focus on Early Childhood Education, is a key component in the reforms of policy in Australia. All Australian states have a focus on the importance of a negotiated, play based curriculum centred around children’s individual interests, educational and developmental needs.The value of using textbooks in an Early Childhood classroom environment will be explored using observations of effective classroom pedagogy. Consideration will be given to Learning Design and the multiplicity of resources that teachers use to supplement the teaching and learning that occurs in the classroom. The purpose for the resources will be evaluated and the value of their use in the classroom assessed.