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Te Aoturoa Tataki. Inclusive Early Childhood Education: Perspectives on Inclusion, Social Justice and Equity from Aotearoa New Zealand. Diane Gordon-Burns, Alexandra Gunn, Kerry Purdue & Nicola Surtees (Eds.). Wellington, NZ: NZCER Press. 2012. ISBN 978-1927151-43-3. Retail $39.95. 206 pp.
This book makes a significant contribution to international conversations on diversity and inclusion. While the context is the early childhood education and care sector (ECEC) in Aotearoa/New Zealand, the content provokes teachers and educationalists to shift beyond "enlightened inclusion-speak" to disrupting the realities of marginalisation across all sectors of education. The foreword, by respected educationalists Emeritus Professor Anne Smith and Professor Russell Bishop, sets the scene. This book is about social justice through creating a respectful, responsive ECEC for all children and their families.
Chapter One begins: "What kinds of questions about social justice and equity might it be pertinent and productive to ask of contemporary Aotearoa/New Zealand early childhood teachers and their practice?" (p. 1). Insightful responses follow. The editors bring a refreshing combination of expertise, including religion and socioeconomic status as possible cues for marginalisation. The authors have faith in the potential of Te Whäriki: Early Childhood Curriculum (MoE, 1996) as a guiding document for inclusion in practice. The book breathes new life into Te Whäriki which will resonate with kaiako in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Importantly, the editors elect to use te reo Maori (Maori language) terms throughout, including a simple glossary.
In Chapter Two, Sonya and Angus McFarlane argue for culture to be at the centre of teachers' decision-making. This indicates ECEC...