What are schemas and why do they matter? Again! Again! provides an introduction to understanding and supporting schemas and schema play in young children. Practitioners will find an overview of schemas with guidance on where they fit within the EYFS. There are examples of schemas, with illustrations and descriptions of common behaviour patterns, and these are set within the general context of child development. The intention is to help early years practitioners identify schemas and to understand both how important they are and the vital role they play in the growing child's learning. The aim is to help the reader understand how they can develop, plan and resource activities which support children's learning through experiment and play.

Shortlisted for the 2013 Nursery World Awards! ′This exciting book will greatly enhance understanding of learning throughout the early years, and reinforces the importance of responsive professionals who understand children′s schemas. Atherton and Nutbrown have brought together socio-cultural and cognitive learning theories with ease, and their metaphors are brilliantly evocative′ -Dr Anne Meade, Consultant ′This book is drawn from a study carried out with rigour and contains several gems, such as the ′bike and slide exploration′; the idea of adults engaging in ′a dialogue of conceptual correspondence′ with children; and tables outlining ′what the children might have been thinking′. A great read!′ -Dr Cath Arnold, Pen Green Early Years Centre ′This is an exciting and illuminating account of babies and toddlers, following their schema fascinations with determination and competence, as they continually explore and experiment and come to know their world. This book captivated me. It should be in every early childhood education setting′ -Pam Cubey This is the first book to focus specifically on Schemas and children under three. The authors trace the development of schemas from motor level through to symbolic representation, and show how to use schema theory to understand young children′s learning and behaviour. This accessible and student-friendly book includes: -activities and discussion points -links to policy and practice -descriptive observational material -a look at the ethics of this kind of research -numerous photographs and illustrations -suggestions for follow-up reading The book is aimed at early childhood professionals and practitioners in ECEC settings, as well as those on initial training courses, teacher education, Early Years courses, and higher degrees.

Teachers often see repetitive behaviors in toddler and preschool classrooms, such as building and knocking down block towers or dumping out toys. When children do these actions over and over it can be irritating to teachers and parents, but viewing these actions through the lens of schema theory, developed by Jean Piaget, can help understand what’s really going on in children’s brains when they display these repetitive behaviors. Children’s Lively Minds is filled with stories about real children exploring schema, followed by reflection and questions about what children might be learning. Schema theory in your work with young children whether you know it or not. Understanding it, putting intention behind it, can help families and teachers ease frustration with young children’s repetitive behavior and allow adults to better support brain development.

The author reviews children's patterns of learning and thinking (schemas), how to support early schematic development, and implications for curriculum, assessment and working with parents.

′Chris Athey has made a major contribution to our understanding of how young children think and how educators and parents can best support their learning. This book is, without doubt, a most important text for all who are concerned to maximise the potential of early childhood education to develop effective ways of working with young children. The book explores children′s schematic development and offers ways of teaching which are closely matched to children′s actions, speech and graphic representations. This second edition of Extending Thought builds on the scholarly approach of the first and provides readers with clear explanation of relevant research alongside rich observations of children. It is essential reading for all who seek to provide the very best of learning opportunities for young children by bring parents, professionals and informed pedagogy together in a thoughtful and informed partnership of learning. Extending Thought is a major building block for many of us who study young children′s capacity to think and learn′ - Dr Cathy Nutbrown, Reader in Education, University of Sheffield In this fully revised version of Chris Athey′s classic text, the author builds on her original internationally renowned research with new illustrations of ′continuity′ in children′s thinking from early to primary education. Drawing on her extensive experience and research evidence, she explains how teachers of young children can advance professionally towards a greater knowledge of young children′s thinking and learning. The book covers: o ′forms of thought′ used by young children o assimilation of curriculum content o pedagogy o parental participation o the politics of early education This book is an essential read for students and teachers in early years education. Chris Athey M Ed, was Principal Lecturer in Education at the Roehampton Institute of Higher Education (RIHE). Funded by a Leverhulme Research Fellowship, she directed the Froebel Early Education Project from 1973 to 1978. She has taught all ages of primary-school children in State and private schools. She has considerable experience of initial teacher training and INSET

Why is there always one child who persistently plays with the door, who mixes sand with water or throws objects across the room? Can these repetitive behaviours, known as schemas, be useful in targeting children's next steps within the EYFS? Is there a way to use them to unlock learning in young children? Schemas: A Practical Handbook not only explains what schemas are and how to identify them, but also expands on that knowledge. With the use of pragmatic ideas, rather than being based solely on theory, it explores how schemas are useful in developing children's learning alongside what they already do. The standalone chapters each revolve around a particular schema and feature case studies to discuss how that schema can be used to help children progress within the seven areas of learning, as outlined in the EYFS. Laura England further supports this development with suggestions for enhancements to the environment, core resources and activities. This step-by-step guide is essential for practitioners wishing to further their understanding of children's learning.

This is a book about the process of finding user-friendly and purposeful ways of observing and planning that will help those who are working with young children in a variety of settings to look with insight at children, providing what they need in order to develop and learn optimally. By examining the historic background of observing and planning, and describing examples of good practice in different group settings, this book will help to monitor a child′s progress - what is needed now and to work out what is needed next. The real life case studies from various settings including day care, nursery school, primary school, private sector and Soweto examine different observation techniques, looking at their strengths, drawbacks and use in everyday practice. Examples from the UK and internationally illustrate the history and importance of observation in a range of contexts, while a glossary clearly explains the key terminology. All the examples given in this book can be used with different National Framework documents worldwide, bearing in mind however the authors′ belief that curriculum frameworks must be used as a resource and never as a limiting straitjacket. Drawing on key theory and research, the book′s chapters cover: Flexible planning Record keeping Working with parents Using technology. Full colour photographs, illustrations and useful charts and diagrams make this an accessible and engaging resource that will no doubt be invaluable to any early years practitioner. This book was originally published as Getting to Know You - part of the 0-8 series.