Two new titles are available in Children in Scotland’s ‘Building better childhoods: international perspectives’ series.

Young children in charge: a small Italian community with big ideas for children

Based on a 2008 study visit to San Miniato, where powerful values such as a belief in the competence of the child and the centrality of family participation drive every aspect of service delivery for the under threes. It offers a striking picture of how these bold values, which go beyond 0-3 and can be applied to all learning, are translated into practice.

Adventures in nature

Written by nursery teachers recounting their experience of a project to make the most of their local natural surroundings and in doing so develop young children’s sense of independence, confidence and self-esteem. The rock climbing, potholing, river rafting and orienteering adventures are recorded with an impressive level of detail and passion and evidence of teachers belief in the extraordinary abilities and potential of young children.

Further information is available on the Children in Scotland website.