Developing Thinking and Understanding in Young Children presents a comprehensive and accessible overview of contemporary theory and research about young children’s developing thinking and understanding. Throughout this second edition, the ideas and theories presented are enlivened by transcripts of children’s activities and conversations taken from practice and contemporary research, helping readers to make links between theory, research and practice. Each chapter also includes ideas for further reading and suggested activities. Aimed at all those interested in how young children develop through their thoughts and actions, Sue Robson explores: theories of cognitive development the social, emotional and cultural contexts of children’s thinking children’s conceptual development visual thinking approaches to supporting the development of young children’s thinking and understanding latest developments in brain science and young children the central roles of play and language in young children’s developing thinking. Including a new chapter on young children’s musical thinking, expanded sections on self regulation, metacognition and creative thinking and the use of video to observe and describe young children’s thinking, this book will be an essential read for all students undertaking Early Childhood, Primary PGCE and EYPS courses. Those studying for a Foundation degree in Early Years and Childcare will also find this book to be of interest.

The Development of Children’s Thinking offers undergraduate and graduate students in psychology and other disciplines an introduction to several core areas of developmental psychology. It examines recent empirical research within the context of longstanding theoretical debates. In particular, it shows how a grasp of classic theories within developmental psychology is vital for a grasp of new areas of research such as cognitive neuroscience that have impacted on our understanding of how children develop. The focus of this book will be on infancy and childhood, and it looks at: Theories and context of development How developmental psychology attempts to reconcile influences of nature and nurture Communication in infancy as a precursor to later thinking Language development in primates and young children Cognitive and social development, including the child’s understanding of the mind How studies of moral reasoning reflect upon our understanding of development

This ground-breaking handbook provides a much-needed, contemporary and authoritative reference text on young children’s thinking. The different perspectives represented in the thirty-nine chapters contribute to a vibrant picture of young children, their ways of thinking and their efforts at understanding, constructing and navigating the world. The Routledge International Handbook of Young Children’s Thinking and Understanding brings together commissioned pieces by a range of hand-picked influential, international authors from a variety of disciplines who share a high public profile for their specific developments in the theories of children’s thinking, learning and understanding. The handbook is organised into four complementary parts: • How can we think about young children’s thinking?: Concepts and contexts • Knowing about the brain and knowing about the mind • Making sense of the world • Documenting and developing children’s thinking Supported throughout with relevant research and case studies, this handbook is an international insight into the many ways there are to understand children and childhood paired with the knowledge that young children have a strong, vital, and creative ability to think and to understand, and to create and contend with the world around them.

Children are already learning at birth, and they develop and learn at a rapid pace in their early years. This provides a critical foundation for lifelong progress, and the adults who provide for the care and the education of young children bear a great responsibility for their health, development, and learning. Despite the fact that they share the same objective - to nurture young children and secure their future success - the various practitioners who contribute to the care and the education of children from birth through age 8 are not acknowledged as a workforce unified by the common knowledge and competencies needed to do their jobs well. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 explores the science of child development, particularly looking at implications for the professionals who work with children. This report examines the current capacities and practices of the workforce, the settings in which they work, the policies and infrastructure that set qualifications and provide professional learning, and the government agencies and other funders who support and oversee these systems. This book then makes recommendations to improve the quality of professional practice and the practice environment for care and education professionals. These detailed recommendations create a blueprint for action that builds on a unifying foundation of child development and early learning, shared knowledge and competencies for care and education professionals, and principles for effective professional learning. Young children thrive and learn best when they have secure, positive relationships with adults who are knowledgeable about how to support their development and learning and are responsive to their individual progress. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 offers guidance on system changes to improve the quality of professional practice, specific actions to improve professional learning systems and workforce development, and research to continue to build the knowledge base in ways that will directly advance and inform future actions. The recommendations of this book provide an opportunity to improve the quality of the care and the education that children receive, and ultimately improve outcomes for children.

The importance of promoting young children’s creative thinking, and the social relationships which support it, is now seen as a vital element of good early childhood practice. The authors push forward our understanding of what young children’s creative thinking is, and how it promotes young children’s well-being. By drawing on research evidence, they examine key issues from the perspectives of the child, the parents or careers and early childhood practitioners, and make links between theory and practice.

′This is a book to be treasured. This deeply respected pioneer brings together major research literature, theoretical understanding and practical help. She does so in a way that demonstrates her love and commitment in working with young children and helping them to have rich lives intellectually and with personal fulfillment′ -Professor Tina Bruce CBE ′What comes through is weighty warmth. The weight of research and experience coupled with the warmth of the fascination of children′s development over Marion′s professional and personal lifetime′ -Professor Mick Waters, Wolverhampton University ′This highly knowledgeable yet accessible book will be hugely valuable for all those who care deeply about young children′s learning and development′ -Liz Roberts, Editor, Nursery World ′A tour de force which has the potential to change practice and thinking about early childhood′ -Helen Moylett, Early Learning and Consultancy, President of Early Education Clearly linking theory and practice, this highly accessible book will be valuable to practitioners, teachers and students. The author explores the development of children′s thinking from 0-7 years, and how this affects home, Early Years settings and schools. The book includes: - case studies - professional checkpoints to help reflection - practical suggestions - guidance on involving parents - suggested reading - questions for discussion. It will be a great asset for students on Early Years Foundation Degrees, Initial Teacher Education and Early Childhood Studies courses. Marion Dowling works as a trainer and consultant in the UK and overseas, and is Vice President of Early Education, a national charity.

Learn how to connect your curriculum planning to children's interests and thinking. With this book, educators will discover a systematic way for using documentation to design curriculum that emerges from children's inquiries, what they wonder, and what they want to understand. Get strategies for designing a classroom environment at the start of the year to facilitate emergent inquiry curriculum. Each chapter guides teachers to document and reflect on their thinking through each of the five phases of a cycle of inquiry process, including observing, interpreting the meaning of the play they see, and developing questions to engage children.