Being with Babies

Establishing a Sense of Belonging in Early Childhood Settings

By: Amanda Norman, Caroline Guard

Write A Review

eText | 29 May 2026 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance

Format
ePUB

eText

$68.19

or 4 interest-free payments of $17.05 with

Instant online reading in your Booktopia eTextbook Library *

Why choose an eTextbook?

Instant Access *

Purchase and read your book immediately

Read Aloud

Listen and follow along as Bookshelf reads to you

Study Tools

Built-in study tools like highlights and more

* eTextbooks are not downloadable to your eReader or an app and can be accessed via web browsers only. You must be connected to the internet and have no technical issues with your device or browser that could prevent the eTextbook from operating.

Relationships are a central feature of early childhood pedagogy, foregrounding practice with babies and young children. This book explores how babies foster a sense of belonging in spaces outside of the family home. It emphasises the important role the early childhood workforce and other professionals play in creating opportunities for babies to thrive and the positive influence this can have during infancy and beyond.

Presenting international cross disciplinary perspectives, the book explores all aspects of working with babies, emphasising the contested and changing nature of the concept of infancy, ethical principles, and baby's rights. Divided into four parts, the chapters cover:

The awe and wonder of babies and quality care - ethical care, participation, voice and rights, attachment, and supporting learning and development
The community of relationships - the importance and complexity of developing multiprofessional relationships between babies, their families, and professionals
Pedagogical environmental spaces - distinct philosophical and pedagogical approaches that inform being with babies in responsive, play informed ways
Routines and rituals - everyday practice and caregiving in different environments with babies, including home-based settings

With case studies, practitioner reflections, and key takeaways in every chapter, this is essential reading for early years students and practitioners being with babies and their families within a variety of professional contexts.