ABSTRACT
This chapter offers the opportunity for early childhood educators to deconstruct and question different views around the purpose of knowledge in relation to education, in particular, Early Childhood Education and personal experiences and values. It examines different historical, cultural, economic and political pressures on education, looking specifically at the impact of neo-liberalism and marketisation in relation to the requirements of a socially just, ethical approach to pedagogy. The chapter considers different historical and socio-cultural influences and perspectives on the purpose and value of education. It looks at appropriate Continuing Professional Development that advocates sustainable participatory and creative approaches using different frameworks associated with nurturing a critically reflective approach. Praxis is an open form of reasoning or an intentional and committed action with moral intent that involves behaving ‘for the good of humankind in acts consciously and collectively performed to contribute to the good’.
