ABSTRACT
To provide a historical overview of the key developments in policy and practice in early years education
To consider the value of play in learning and to review the vocabulary of play
To consider the role of adults in children’s learning
To explore the potential of the learning environment
To provide an understanding of the planning and assessment cycle
To provide a brief overview of each of the six areas of learning
Combining primary and secondary analysis In this chapter the Tools for Learning involve the skill of combining analysis from both primary and secondary data. Secondary data collection and analysis is the focus of Part 1 of the book. Secondary data is collected from reading policies, research reports, books and journals (as covered in the Tools for Learning in Chapter 1). Analysis of secondary data (see Chapter 2) is mainly found in a literature review, which reviews the literature to help answer questions you have posed. Primary data collection is the focus of Part 2 and considers observation, interaction, narrative, listening and interview. Primary data is usually presented and analysed in sections of your work entitled ‘Research findings’ or ‘Outcomes and analysis’. These sections, especially in action research, also contain analysis of secondary data and both are also combined in ‘Discussion of findings’ (see also Chapter 10).
