Discovering the Culture of Childhood is a top recommendation for early childhood educators and considers childhood culture, from belief systems to language and expressions as well as social interactions, and how it leads to better insights for the educator. The approach here involves examining this culture of childhood and understanding its perspective, using case history examples to demonstrate how problem solving opportunities were identified and fostered in early learning settings. As important as discussions of what worked are illustrations of what approaches failed due to misreading childhood communications and culture.
Education Shelf, California Bookwatch, Midwest Book Review

Emily Plank is truly an advocate for young children! In this marvelous book, she invites any adult who cares about children to consider a transformative view of childhood shifting from thinking about children’s developmental journey as one filled with deficits that must be overcome to seeing the incredible competency of children in each and every stage of their childhood, seeing children as “active members of their own vibrant culture.”
The book is filled with meaningful stories that help adults recognize the language of play so they can more fully engage with and support children in play, celebrate children’s rich imaginary belief systems rooted in fantasy and make-believe, and explore the curiosity-driven arts and culture of children with a focus on process and child-centered creativity.
Throughout she gives ideas to remind us that each child matters, is valuable, and has a meaningful place in the community. She encourages early childhood professionals to become allies of young children “who will advocate for the rights of children to experience life as children rather than as deficient adults.”

"No mini-adults here. This book is your passport to new understanding of children and their most baffling behaviors. Emily Plank opens our eyes to see we are everyday travelers in a distinct and foreign land: the culture of childhood."
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Emily Plank has gifted us with a fascinating lens to the wondrous culture of childhood where time is not measured by productivity and where personal connections are valued above all else. The more we understand the culture of children, says Plank, the more effective and respectful we can be in our practices. Regardless of how long you have been working with young children, you’ll experience many “aha” moments that will stay with you long after you have put this book down.

When we visit another land we can view the natives’ differences from us as deficiencies, to be judged, or as fascinations, to be understood. Only the latter can lead to real communication. The same is true in our relationships with little children. In this brilliant book, Emily Plank helps us learn to appreciate children for who they are, fully formed children not unformed adults, and thereby overcome our tendency to try always to make them more like us. They will, on their own, become more like us in due time, as they grow naturally into the adult culture.
Research Professor at Boston College