Interest in the human mind is a centuries-old fascination, dating back to Plato, Aristotle, and Descartes. While the theories proposed about the human mind have since advanced and evolved, the fascination remains. Growing Minds is a unique and interdisciplinary work that guides the reader through an examination of the human mind's nature, performance, lifespan, and variations. The book sets out to answer a variety of questions: What are the cognitive processes underlying intelligence? What is general and what is specific in intelligence? What is stable and what is changing in intelligence as children grow older? Why do individuals differ in intelligence, and are differences genetically determined? How is intelligence and intellectual development related to the genome and the brain? How is intelligence related to personality? Can intelligence be enhanced by specific interventions? The text is organised into three parts: the first provides a summary and evaluation of research conducted on the human mind by experimental cognitive psychology, differential psychology, and developmental psychology. The second presents an overarching theory of the growing mind, showing how mind and intelligence are at the crossroads of nature and nurture; and the third assesses the relationship between education and intelligence. This book is the result of decades of extensive research and culminates in the proposal of a new overarching and integrated theory of the developing mind. For the first time, research is gathered and combined to form a comprehensive concept and fulfil the need for a fresh, integrative paradigm which both asks and answers questions about the human mind from a multi-faceted perspective.

"Follow along with Little Fox as he plans a surprise picnic for his friend Owl,"--

Strong evidence from recent brain research shows that the intentional teaching of science is crucial in early childhood. Big Science for Growing Minds describes a groundbreaking curriculum that invites readers to rethink science education through a set of unifying concepts or “big ideas.” Using an integrated learning approach, the author shows teachers how to use readily available, low-cost items to create a safe classroom setting that fosters hands-on learning and exploration of real-life problems. The text includes classroom activities that connect science learning to mathematics, technology, art, and literacy. Book Features: Shows teachers how to address fundamental biology, chemistry, physics, and Earth science concepts using easy-to-find objects.Describes constructivist learning environments that are aligned with emerging data on brain development.Includes guidance for adopting approaches and instructional strategies consistent with NSTA, NSES, and NAEYC guidelines. “We need to celebrate the birth of this book. It is a vivid embodiment of how young children learn scientific ideas when their teachers create conditions that match the ways youngsters are able to integrate meaning. Constructivist practice comes to life in these pages. At a time of narrow high-stakes tests, here is a model that preserves truly professional practice.” —From the Foreword by Doris Pronin Fromberg, Hofstra University “Big Science for Growing Minds is a wonderful, jam-packed storehouse of research-based ideas for the effective teaching of science. The author is masterful in her ability to clearly explain current brain research and cognitive science studies and to exemplify the research through practical classroom applications.” —Lawrence Lowery, Professor (emeritus), Graduate School of Education and the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California at Berkeley

Growing Mathematical Minds is the documentation of an innovative, bi-directional process of connecting research and practice in early childhood mathematics. The book translates research on early mathematics from developmental psychology into terms that are meaningful to teachers and readily applicable in early childhood classrooms. It documents teacher responses, and conveys their thoughts and questions back to representative researchers, who reply in turn. In so doing, this highly useful book creates a conversation, in which researchers and teachers each bring their expertise to bear; their communication about these topics—informed by the thinking, commitment, and experience of both groups—helps us better understand how developmental psychology can improve math teaching, and how math teaching can, in turn, inform developmental science. The book bridges the gap between research and practice, helping teachers to adopt evidence-based practices and apply cutting-edge research findings, and prompting developmental researchers to consider their work within the framework of practice. Growing Mathematical Minds identifies and elucidates research with profound implications for teaching children from three to eight years so they develop foundational math knowledge and skills, positive attitudes toward math, and basic abilities to think mathematically.

A memoir of the successes, failures, and excitement of 21 years of teaching.

Leading children into the highest limits of their imagination, the art and language of Imagine That! lets them color and draw their own creations. From a ladybug fashion show to dancing dinosaurs, boys and girls discover what gets their minds -- and crayons, markers, and paintbrushes -- moving. The possibilities are endless with this multifaceted coloring book.

From the beginning of life, young children's learning and activities depend on their cognitive capabilities and development. To cope with the environment they live in, children need to learn about their physical and social worlds; acquire language; regulate their bodies, emotions, and thoughts; and gain competence in literacy, mathematics, science, and other knowledge domains. This collection of readings from books and Young Children articles outlines important dimensions of their early cognitive development and describes approaches for promoting it.