Early childhood education and care in Catalonia between history and contemporary age. Inspirations, development and challenges for the future

Abstract

We can view children’s education as a cultural construct that has varied throughout the course of every country’s history. In this examination of Catalonia, we talk about important pedagogical movements for renewal and reforms that have taken place over the last century, which intertwine with the cultural developments in neighbouring countries such as Italy. The role of preschool education (the learning that takes place during the first years) as education for life, the role of educators (their initial and ongoing training) and the role of the materials used and
the environment in which the educational experience takes place, are all crucial elements in our pedagogical reflections on today and tomorrow. The challenge, which is both current and urgent in every context, is to offer quality in education to all children in today’s society.