Children, Education and Geography

‘The intersection between geography education, geographies of education, and geographies of children and young people is a particularly vibrant area of scholarship. Yet few publications bring geographers and geography educators together to considers the complex and multi-scalar relationships between children, education and geography, that is until now. Each chapter in this edited volume offers rich insights into research and practice, drawing on a range of conceptual, ideological and methodological traditions to explore the ways in which engagement across these fields can be mutually enriching. The editors describe how the book encourages geography educators and students with an interest in geography, education and young people to engage with questions about the relationships between people, place and nature; the purposes and practices of schooling; and the nature of childhood. Children, education, and geography: Rethinking intersections blends empirical research, theory and practice to stimulate debate on a range of contemporary topics such as decolonising the curriculum, teaching migration and environmental sustainability education. As such it will also be essential reading for new and practicing teachers who want to understand, support and empower the children and young people that they teach.’

- Emma Rawlings Smith, Departmental Lecturer in Geography Education, Department of Education, University of Oxford, UK

‘In light of growing socio-spatial inequalities and uncertain environmental futures, ‘thinking geographically’ must mean more than excelling in one specific discipline. Thinking geographically is a skill necessary for students, teachers and scholars of all ages, and this (com)passionately written collection will support teaching, learning and scholarship characterised by thinking geographically together in ways that are at once sensitive to context and expansive across times and spaces.

A key contribution of the collection is the editors’ and authors’ persistent focus on drawing attention to children and young people’s everyday geographies into educational spaces and practices, following the aim set out in the introduction to elucidate and unpack the intersections between ‘geography as a discipline and the geographies of everyday lives’. Many of the contributing authors offer practical case examples of integrating insights from diverse child and youth geographies into educational spaces. Perhaps even more useful, however, are the ways that authors draw crucial attention to work not yet done in this regard. The result is a collection that raises urgent and sometimes discomforting questions such as how can educators respond to the climate crisis in hopeful and inclusive ways and how can educators in the global North acknowledge the legacies of epistemic colonialism in inviting learners to participate in building progressive futures.

As well as being of great value to educators, the collection offers rich insights to academic geographers. Specifically, though not limited to the following two areas, the book serves as a bridge between the geographies of education and geographies of children and young people and as such has the potential to generate dialogue and cross-disciplinary working.

Ultimately, this is a book that points ahead, offering suggestions and raising critical questions that have the potential to lead to progressive, inclusive and compassionate ways of knowing, teaching and engaging with the urgent challenges of the day by thinking geographically.’

- Catherine Walker, Sustainable Consumption Institute, University of Manchester, UK

‘Highly recommended. A timely book. I learned a lot, thought deeply (again and again), and definitely re-thought my own practice. From the first lines, the affective nature of education is suggested as an essential component of an education if we are to consider a child's full development. This book is shot-through with debates and dialogue with the classroom. Education in this book is seen to be about relationships, agency and nurturing. As Clarke and Witt write so powerfully, we should consider being 'with' our geography 'not in opposition', it is about relationships building over time and 'new ways of being, doing and knowing'. In particular, chapters by Morgan, Lambert & León and Catling & Pike stand out as being useful. Puttick, Chandrachud, Chopra, Robson, Singh and Talks write brilliantly and suggest a conclusion I have come to as well: that the complexity of climate change knowledge means it is unreasonable to place the responsibility on teachers alone as institutions 'have inherent weaknesses for the task of developing local, place-specific and place-relevant information about climate change'. Addressing this should be met by relationships between universities and school teachers, helping show the importance of the varying (and variable) narratives on climate change.’

- Anthony Barlow, Principal Lecturer in Early Years and Primary Geography Education, University of Roehampton, UK

'This book is a refreshing read for anyone concerned about the future of geography and its role in supporting the education and well-being of our youths. It places young people in the intersections of analyses that range from examining structures that affect children’s lives and reproduce different kinds of inequalities, to understanding children’s (potential and real) agency in the education process. The chapters invite us to consider how to better engage young people within and across the education spaces they occupy, and as they transit across phases of education. They call for a better understanding of children’s lives and highlight the curricular and pedagogical opportunities such understandings can afford. As a geography teacher educator, I especially appreciate the ways in which the chapters elucidate the important iterative relationships among geography, children’s lives and education, so that educators can support young people to lead meaningful (school) lives in the present and future.'

- Tricia Seow, Senior Lecturer & Assistant Head of the Humanities and Social Studies Education Academic Group, National Institute of Education, Singapore