JOAN SWANN

This book is the third of four which form part of the Open University course, U212, "Childhood," Together they provide an undergraduate-level introduction to the interdisciplinary field of childhood and youth studies, and a framework for analyzing contemporary policy and practice in, for instance, education, health and social work. Childhood is now a global issue, forcing a reconsideration of conventional approaches to study. Childhood is also a very personal issue for each and every one of us - scholars, policy-makers, parents and children. The books encourage the reader''s active involvement, especially through the use of activities. They include children''s and parents'' voices as well academic discussion of childhood in diverse societies and points in history. Selected readings accompany the chapters to present additional perspectives. "Children''s Cultural Worlds" looks at the distinctiveness of children''s worlds by exploring their everyday activities, an exploration that ranges from young children to teenagers. Topics include: friendship and the significance of play; how children use language to construct rela tionships and identities; the role of print literature, other media, and information and communications technology in children''s lives; youth cultures; and children''s growing signficance as consumers. BRAND NEW SERIES - CHILDHOOD Childhood is a brand new series of textbooks, co-published with The Open University which represents a coherent and integrated treatment of a wide range of topics and approaches, which will have a relevance to courses in childhood studies; sociology; psychology; anthropology and cultural studies as well as education and social policy. Each volume contains original illustrations, case studies and examples collected as part of OU/BBC filming in the USA, Bangladesh and South Africa. The third volume, Children''s Cultural Worlds looks at the distinctiveness of children''s cultural worlds by exploring the everyday activities of young children through to teenagers. Topics include friendships and the significance of play, how children use language to construct relationships and identities, the role of print literature, other media and information technology in child