Children of the 21st century (Volume 2): The first five years

Description

This book documents the first five years of life of the children of the influential Millennium Cohort Study, which is tracking almost 19,000 babies born in 2000 and 2001 in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This book is the second in a series of books which will report on the findings from the data and follows on from Children of the 21st century: From birth to nine months (The Policy Press, 2005). It takes an extended look at the children's lives and development as they grow and begin formal education, and the implications for family policy, and service planning in health and social services. The chapters in this book are written by experts across a wide range of social science and health fields and form a unique look at the early lives of children that cuts across disciplinary boundaries. It is essential reading for academics, students and researchers in these fields. It will also be of relevance to policy makers and practitioners with an interest in children's early years, family life, child development, child poverty, childcare and education and health care.

Shirley Dex is a Professor of Longitudinal Social Research at the Institute of Education, University of London. Heather Joshi, Director of the Millennium Cohort Study, is Professor of Economic Demography and head of the Centre for Longitudinal Studies , Institute of Education, University of London. Kirstine Hansen is the Research Director of the Millennium Cohort at the Centre for Longitudinal Studies, Institute of Education, University of London.

"This book brings together analyses of the UK's most recent birth cohort by leading experts. The result is a unique and multidisciplinary portrait of how young children are faring at the start of 21st century." Jane Waldfogel, Professor of Social Work & Public Affairs, Columbia University School of Social Work, New York "By following the development of a cohort of 5-year olds, this book offers new insights into social, economic and family life in Britain; it is a 'must read' for everyone who wants to understand the processes shaping childhood today." Angela Dale, Manchester University "If you want to know how young children in the 21st Century are faring in the U.K., the book by Hansen, Joshi, and Dex is a must-read!" Jeanne Brooks-Gunn, Virginia and Leonard Marx Professor of Child Development, Columbia University "Written by experts from a variety of disciplines, the book takes an extended look at the children's lives and development as they begin formal statutory education, as well as service planning in early years, health and social services... Throughout, the book acknowledges that many initiatives designed to support children and families are, at best, in their own infancies; it is still too early to gauge their impact on the millennium children." Children & Young People Now "This is a 'must read' book for those interested in the MCS, child well-being, ethnic diversity and modern family life." Christine Skinner in Journal of Social Policy