Introduction

The nature of childhood, the consideration of whether a certain age denotes innocence or not, and the desire to teach good citizenship to our children are all issues commonly discussed by today's media. This book brings together a variety of perspectives on the study of childhood: how this has been treated historically and how such a concept is developing as we move into the next century.

Sections

The book is divided into five main sections:

• Part one sets the scene and provides the reader with an overview of attitudes towards childhood.
• Part two surveys the contribution of literature from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
• Part three examines educational issues such as children's play, language acquisition, and spiritual development.
• Part four looks at the representation of children in film, television, and other mass media.
• Part five offers further help for study and research.

This book draws on a number of academic disciplines including education, literature, theology, language studies, and history. It will be of particular use to those on Childhood studies courses and all those studying for a teacher qualification. Teachers of children aged between 4-12 years old will find its contribution to their continuing professional development extremely helpful.