In Print: ‘Early Childhood Social Studies: Purpose, Content, and Methods From a Developmental Perspective’

Publication title

Early Childhood Social Studies: Purpose, Content, and Methods From a Developmental Perspective

Purdue authors

Kathryn Obenchain
Megan Purcell

Publisher

Routledge

Publication date

June 1, 2026

About the book (from the publisher)

“Early Childhood Social Studies” builds on theory and research to provide practical guidance and concrete examples for teaching social studies content, skills and dispositions to young children.

Attending to both formal and informal educational settings, this accessible textbook shows how to make social studies developmentally appropriate for teaching and learning experiences with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and in the primary grades. Examining the social studies content areas of civics, economics, geography and history, as well as the concepts of democratic citizenship, perspectives, and historical time and chronology, the text includes a range of practical tools for preservice and in-service educators. Readers will find lesson plans, inquiry unit outlines, reflection questions, activity ideas, essential concepts and skills, and strategies and resources for educators and caregivers to guide social studies learning, including specific attention to developmentally appropriate assessment for young children.

Combining theory and research with practice, this engaging text is an essential early childhood social studies methods course book for those enrolled in early childhood and elementary educator preparation programs.

About the Purdue authors

Kathryn Obenchain is a professor of social studies education, curriculum and instruction in the College of Education. Her research revolves around two central themes: social studies as a vehicle for citizenship education and democratic citizenship education in emerging democracies. Obenchain examines how social studies operates as a vehicle for citizenship education in the K-12 social studies classroom, as well as how teachers and students develop their civic identities.

Megan Purcell is a clinical professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science in the College of Health and Human Sciences and coordinator of the early childhood education and exceptional needs program. Her goal is to prepare early childhood educators and early interventionists to provide highly effective, inclusive services for all children to achieve the best possible outcomes.

About the In Print series

To celebrate our faculty’s excellence in scholarship, Purdue Today’s weekly book series highlights faculty expertise across diverse subjects and disciplines. Find out more about the Purdue University Books Initiative and how to suggest a book for the In Print series on the Office of the Provost website. Purdue University’s Libraries and School of Information Studies’ authored books collection is available here.