Section 1: Early childhood context and policy 1 Children and childhood: a historical perspective 2 The current policy context of early years Section 2: Children's development 3 Holistic development 4 Children's development 5 Development in the early years foundation stage 6 Factors affecting children's learning and development 7 Understanding school readiness from the perspective of the developing child Section 3: Applying child development in practice 8 Supporting children's learning and development 9 Observing and assessing children's learning and development Section 4: Enhancing practice and understanding 10 Reflecting on children's learning and development 11 Starting from the child: matching provision to children's development and learning needs 12 Thinking, questioning and challenging: a critical approach to the early years.