Care and caring are key to early childhood education and yet love can be viewed as a
taboo word within early childhood settings. This book guides practitioners through the
potentially problematic area of loving the children they care for. It shows where a loving
pedagogy can fit within professional practice and how this can enrich experiences for
children and educators.
The book explores how educators can support their children by holding them in
mind, valuing them and promoting their best interests. Focusing on how relationships,
attachment and connections underpin our settings and practice, the chapters cover:
■ the fundamentals of professional love
■ appropriate touch in practice
■ the dierent ways in which children feel loved
■ the rights of the child
■ empowering children through love
■ working with parents and carers.
Including case studies and questions for reflection, this is vital reading for practitioners
wanting to develop a nurturing and loving pedagogy that places the child at the centre
of their practice.
