With approximately 16,000 students beginning primary teacher education in the UK each year, and each of those being expected to teach art and design, this pioneering volume provides a renewed emphasis on ideas, issues and research in art and design education in the primary and early years phases. It gathers together work from internationally recognised authors, providing a critical framework to underpin current and developing practice in primary art and design education in the UK and worldwide.Through in-depth exploration of debates that have taken place worldwide amongst art educators, it provides a critical framework to underpin current and developing practice. Herne's edited collection is a welcome addition to art and design education and will be of interest to all those involved in primary art and design education, whether teachers, trainees, post-graduate students or academics.