This work challenges some of the preconceptions about early childhood development - for example that children cannot understand issues to do with fairness, or with colour or disability or homophobia - by explaining relevant theory and research and by giving examples of good practice.

This is the first book in early years education that deals with all areas of discrimination, and provides practical guidance on key issues of language, culture, gender and disability. It challenges the misconceptions that young children cannot understand issues to do with fairness, or with color or disability or homophobia. The author explains relevant theory and research, and provides examples of good practice.In her lively accounts of young children talking, Babette Brown illustrates how capable they are of thinking for themselves when encouraged to do so -- and how readily they absorb prevailing stereotypical notions when they are not.This is essential reading for teacher educators, teachers, and anyone involved with children in kindergarten or pre-school environments.