Karen Wells

This book is about how children become competent people who understand and can act on and even transform the world. Its novel framework of 4A agency shows how children participate in making as audience, assistant, apprentice and artisan in makerspaces and in make-believe, music-making and toy-making. The book explains why it is important that children are provided with opportunities for self-directed making. It substantiates many of the claims of 4E cognition, that action precedes and is the ground for thought. It provides a new theoretical framework of 4A agency that practices of making are critical to how children’s knowledge, skill and self-confidence are developed. It does this through the description and analysis of children’s making in s different zones of agency: mimetic, ludic, collective, and design agency as well as the agency afforded by makerspaces and by the materials themselves. Makers: How Children Learn Agency is relevant to Childhood Studies, Sociologists of Education, and 4E Cognition theorists. It will also be of interest to makers, and anyone interested in children’s agency and makerspaces.

Are you tired of a life riddled with mistakes, roadblocks and regret? Are you mystified at how to overcome the flaws of the human heart and dreading the next trap the enemy has set up against your life? Heart of Wisdom is a book designed to empower the believer to overcome these many obstacles and more. From the depthful aspects of revelatory wisdom to the every day needs of practical wisdom, this handbook and encouraging guide will create a clear pathway for a blessed life.

Are you tired of a life riddled with mistakes, roadblocks and regret? Are you mystified at how to overcome the flaws of the human heart and dreading the next trap the enemy has set up against your life? Heart of Wisdom is a book designed to empower the believer to overcome these many obstacles and more. From the depthful aspects of revelatory wisdom to the every day needs of practical wisdom, this handbook and encouraging guide will create a clear pathway for a blessed life.

This popular book provides a compelling introduction to thinking about childhood in rigorous and critical ways. Karen Wells offers a unique global perspective on children’s lives, showing how the notion of childhood varies widely and is continuously being radically re-shaped. Taking children seriously as active participants in society, the book explores key social issues such as how children are constituted as raced, classed and gendered subjects; how school and work operate as sites for the governing of childhood; and how children both shape and are shaped by politics, culture and the economy. Taking an engaging historical and comparative approach, the book discusses wide-ranging topics including children’s rights, the family, play, labour, migration and trafficking. In addition to updated literature throughout, this revised third edition includes extensive new material on children’s activism, politics and war, and a whole new chapter on juvenile justice. The book will continue to be of great value to students and scholars in the fields of sociology, geography, social policy and development studies. It will also be a valuable companion to practitioners whose work involves or impacts children, as well as to anyone interested in childhood in the contemporary world.

This popular book provides a compelling introduction to thinking about childhood in rigorous and critical ways. Karen Wells offers a unique global perspective on children’s lives, showing how the notion of childhood varies widely and is continuously being radically re-shaped. Taking children seriously as active participants in society, the book explores key social issues such as how children are constituted as raced, classed and gendered subjects; how school and work operate as sites for the governing of childhood; and how children both shape and are shaped by politics, culture and the economy. Taking an engaging historical and comparative approach, the book discusses wide-ranging topics including children’s rights, the family, play, labour, migration and trafficking. In addition to updated literature throughout, this revised third edition includes extensive new material on children’s activism, politics and war, and a whole new chapter on juvenile justice. The book will continue to be of great value to students and scholars in the fields of sociology, geography, social policy and development studies. It will also be a valuable companion to practitioners whose work involves or impacts children, as well as to anyone interested in childhood in the contemporary world.

What does it mean to think of children as social subjects and how should we go about studying childhood in society? Childhood is a key site where children come to understand themselves as particular kinds of people, not only as individuals but also as members of social and cultural groups. This compelling and accessible book explores how immature humans enter into political, economic, social and cultural life. Integrating key theories from a range of disciplines, Karen Wells provides a set of analytical tools to explore how culture, society, politics and economics shape childhood and children's lives. She explains how childhood is not only culturally shaped, but also formed at the intersection of politics and economics. At this intersection between governing practices and the affordances of children's bodies, young subjects are made. Childhood Studies will be essential reading for students and scholars in childhood and youth studies and related disciplines, and for anyone who wants to understand the impacts of social inequality on children and what it means to be a child in the contemporary world.

What does it mean to think of children as social subjects and how should we go about studying childhood in society? Childhood is a key site where children come to understand themselves as particular kinds of people, not only as individuals but also as members of social and cultural groups. This compelling and accessible book explores how immature humans enter into political, economic, social and cultural life. Integrating key theories from a range of disciplines, Karen Wells provides a set of analytical tools to explore how culture, society, politics and economics shape childhood and children's lives. She explains how childhood is not only culturally shaped, but also formed at the intersection of politics and economics. At this intersection between governing practices and the affordances of children's bodies, young subjects are made. Childhood Studies will be essential reading for students and scholars in childhood and youth studies and related disciplines, and for anyone who wants to understand the impacts of social inequality on children and what it means to be a child in the contemporary world.

A simple question is fervently asked by children from 12 different countries. In this award-winning, 32 page picture book, sweet rhyming prose, repetition and vividly captivating illustrations delight the senses and express the deep joy and love we hope for all children. The responses given will touch the heartstrings of people young and old around the world. Bucket filling, the essence of being loved and loving others, occurs in those little moments in a day when you stop and just listen, cuddle, play or spend time with a child.

A simple question is fervently asked by children from 12 different countries. In this award-winning, 32 page picture book, sweet rhyming prose, repetition and vividly captivating illustrations delight the senses and express the deep joy and love we hope for all children. The responses given will touch the heartstrings of people young and old around the world. Bucket filling, the essence of being loved and loving others, occurs in those little moments in a day when you stop and just listen, cuddle, play or spend time with a child.

God has a plan for every child-from conception to birth and beyond! Your bond with your unborn baby is a special one. During this amazing period of your life, you are making plans and dreaming big while preparing to help your child grow physically and emotionally. But did you know that now is also the time to lay the groundwork for your baby's spiritual development as well? An inspirational book designed to coordinate with each stage of your baby's development, The Miracle of You gives you Scripture passages and faith statements you can read aloud to your unborn child. Paired with endearing illustrations, each passage introduces an element of your baby's spiritual development--hope, destiny, courage, faith, obedience, peace, and more. Read it to your children before they are born--they will benefit from hearing words of truth through your loving voices. Read to your other children too so they can share in the excitement of the coming sibling. Then revisit it as your children grow, to remind them of the miracle God performed in them and through them. These delightful readings are sure to fill your heart and warm your soul.