"Learning and Teaching in the Early Years" provides a comprehensive, contemporary and practical introduction to early childhood teaching in Australia. A strong focus on the links between theory, policy and practice firmly aligns this text with the Early Years Learning Framework. Written for students of early childhood programs, this book covers learning and development, as well as professional practice in teaching children from birth to eight years. In recognition of the evolving role of educators, topic areas include learning, teaching, working with families, leading, advocating and researching. Each chapter contains learning objectives, key terms and reflection points. Detailed case studies document the intersection between research, policy and practice, enhancing pre-service and practicing educators' appreciation of how a policy-aligned approach reinforces learning and development in the early years. This text draws on the latest research to present children's learning as a dynamic and active process requiring specific, intentional teaching behaviours. It is a comprehensive, contemporary introduction to early childhood teaching in Australia. It also draws on the latest research to present children's learning as a dynamic process requiring intentional teaching behaviours and provides a strong link between theory, policy and practice. Chapters include: (1) Learning and teaching in the early years (Collette Tayler and Jane Page); (2) A policy frame on early learning and teaching (Collette Tayler and Karen Weston); (3) Young children as learners with rights (Jane Page and Collette Tayler); (4) Teaching for learning (Jane Page and Jan Deans); (5) Partnering with families to promote learning (Frank Niklas and Caroline Cohrssen); (6) Leading for learning (Jane Page and Collette Tayler); (7) Advocating for learning (Collette Tayler, Timo Gilley, and Jane Page); and (8) Researching for learning and teaching (Amelia Church, Jane Page, Susan Wright and Collette Tayler).