This practical, accessible book encourages a deep, often challenging, consideration of how young children learn and how teachers and other adults best support their learning. Essential reading for education students, it draws on research and practice to help readers reflect critically on their beliefs and practice. After comparing different views of pedagogy, it explores children′s development and the importance of culture and context, emphasising the attributes of successful learners, relationships and the learning environment. Readers are helped think through how different aspects of pedagogy are interlinked and consider the implications for breadth, balance, planning and assessment and continuing professional development.

Thinking Through New Literacies for Primary and Early Years is an accessible text that encourages readers to consider deeply what is meant by ′literacy′ today. It explores the many different ways in which teachers and children develop their own literacy. Specifically written for education students in the later years of their course, the text draws on research and practice to explore the challenges and opportunities involved, while helping to develop the reader′s own critical thinking skills. The book begins by asking ′what′s new about new literacies?′ and goes on to explore some technological innovations designed to support the emergent reader and writer. It considers verbal literacy, speaking and listening, and visual literacy. Readers are encourages to think through the issues surrounding inclusion and the legal and ethical issues raised by this post-typographic age. Throughout, practical guidance runs alongside structured critical thinking exercises to help the reader reflect on both theory and practice. About the Thinking Through Education Series Thinking Through Education is a series of texts designed and written specifically for those education students entering the second or final phase of their degree course. Structured around sets of specific ′skills′, each chapter uses critical thinking and reflective exercises to develop greater subject knowledge and critical awareness. Each book contains links to the Teachers′ Standards providing students with a clear transition from study to practice. Jayne Metcalfe is a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Education at the University of Cumbria. Jayne is involved in e-safety training of student teachers. Debbie Simpson is a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Education at the University of Cumbria. She is currently the acting Programme Leader for the Primary PGCE course. Ian Todd is a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Education at the University of Cumbria, with a specialism in English and an interest in the teaching of ICT. Mike Toyn is a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Education at the University of Cumbria where he also coordinates the teaching of primary ICT.

This accessible text encourages readers to understand and confidently engage with distinctive early years pedagogy. It shows how pedagogy not only underpins the early years curriculum but is also inherent in the role of the adult and the experiences that are offered to young children. The book explains what the differing early years pedagogies are, why they are encouraged, and the knowledge, skills, and practice that are required to work with them. Emphasising that what works in one situation may not in another and a wider pedagogical knowledge is essential to ensure quality outcomes for children, it considers key topics such as: the role of the pedagogue and developing your own style promoting a lifelong love of learning in children under your care sensitivity and inclusion for all children’s cultures and communities promoting the rights of every child under your care. Incorporating reflection points and research tasks to support independent learning, this is essential reading for students on Early Childhood Studies courses and Early Years Foundation Degrees as well as early years practitioners.

′The text is clear and accessible and gives a fascinating overview of how drawing can help children to learn and understand the thinking of others...It is highly recommended for all students and practitioners interested in understanding more about how children express their ideas and theories about the world′ - Early Years Update ′This book is an invaluable resource for anyone who recognises the potential of ′drawing′ as an essential element for developing thinking and learning in the Primary Classroom...and a ′must read′ for those who are sceptical!....This is a fascinating read that invokes a variety of feelings including a sense of wonder and curiosity about the many facets of drawing, which leaves you with a thirst to try out more and explore ways of releasing the untapped potential of ′drawing′ in your own classroom′ - thinkingclassroom.co.uk Children use drawing as a means through which they create, develop, communicate and record their thoughts and ideas. Whether it′s to play, or to express feelings and meaning, drawing enables them to learn about the world, explore their imaginations, and to invent and present new ideas. With an extensive background in teaching and researching children′s uses of drawing, Gill Hope describes the ways in which multiple forms of drawing are used by Primary school children. She explains why it should be actively promoted as a means of supporting thinking and learning across a wide range of subject areas, and provides practical support for teachers. Demonstrating the importance of drawing, and combining a thematic approach with practical guidance, this informative and enjoyable book: - widens teachers′ understanding of the multiple uses of drawing; - shows how children can be guided to use it to support thinking and learning; - explores the range of applications in which drawing can be used across all areas of the curriculum; - looks to the future and at the ever increasing importance of graphic literacy. Providing a fresh insight into the uses of drawing as a powerful tool which supports children′s thinking and learning, this book will be of interest to everyone involved in the development of children′s capabilities, including teachers, student teachers and teaching assistants.

The Student Practitioner in Early Childhood Studies: An essential guide to working with children provides accessible support and guidance for Early Childhood Studies students in higher education who may have little, if any, experience of relating to young children in the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage One. With useful chapter summaries, activities and reflection points to help readers track their academic journey, this text draws on the experiences of students on the degree programme for the benefit of students new to practice. It will: prepare students for the challenges of practice provide a synthesis of academic knowledge and practice skills develop students' critically reflective thinking and understanding relational pedagogy and the needs of young children provide the emerging student practitioner in higher education with knowledge, skills, understanding and confidence to relate effectively with young children and adults in settings Fully supporting students' practice experience and development of their critical thinking, this helpful book synthesises theory and practice in an applied and critical manner. The authors cover a range of themes including critical reflection, relational pedagogy, confidence building, communication skills, personal and professional development and employability alongside academic writing and research skills. This textbook is essential reading for students on all Early Childhood degree programmes.

Across academic circles over the last few decades, the interest and inquiry on spirituality continues to broaden. Currently, the school system in the United States and many Western countries put their focus on academic achievement at the expense of preparing their students’ inner cores for skills they will need to deal with a more complex and challenging world to come. Supporting Children and Youth Through Spiritual Education provides a platform for researchers and experts in the field of spirituality in children and youth to voice the urgent need for an educational system that truly nurtures the whole child. The book also considers the need to remove the misunderstandings about the terms “spirituality” and “religion” among those who work directly with children and youth. Covering key topics such as religion, cognitive development, and spiritual needs, this reference work is critical for principals, administrators, industry professionals, researchers, scholars, practitioners, academicians, instructors, and students.

The second edition of this popular text has been revised and updated to include the new Professional Standards needed to achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Tackling these elusive but fundamental aspects of children′s development, this text places the importance of spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding in a cross-curricular context. It directly links between children′s attainment and the wider aspects of personal development, beliefs and values, explaining the environment in which learning flourishes and demonstrating how trainees can promote this in their teaching. In addition, it helps enrich the trainee teacher′s experience, laying firm foundations for their continuing professional development.