Introduction

This chapter provides an overview of a number of key topics in the field of early years, primary and elementary education that are of significant contemporary interest. For instance, justifiable concern has been expressed in some countries about the extent to which subjects such as music, art, drama and the other ‘creative’ areas have been marginalised. By contrast other topics seems to have risen in prominence, such as sustainability education and outdoor learning and this is also reflected in the items submitted to the journal. Since then, association for the study of primary education has sought to support research informed practice in order to meet its core purposes of advancing the cause of primary education through reflection, professional discourse, and study.