Enriching the Lives of Children is an exploration of innovations in teaching and learning. The book reflects scholarship, synthesis and creativity as the author reviews decades of research and practice on educational and instructional reforms designed to enrich learning and life for children, through novel and stimulating experiences. The author reminds readers of the early notions of learning coming from such great thinkers as Aristotle, Husserl, Vygotsky, Piaget and Bruner; and, the parallels to the thinking of modern constructivist philosophers and teachers today. Teaching for meaning and constructing knowledge and understanding is important. Providing enriching, novel and stimulating instructional and supportive experiences is essential for successful learning and holistic development. The author presents theoretical propositions about the need for authentic pedagogy and whole child development. Moreover, findings reveal that learning does not take place as a separate and isolated event. Brain, body and the developmental domains work together. Attention also is given to the nature and relationship of creativity to learning and development; and, particularly the contributions of play. Interesting suggestions and models from around the world are provided about children’s learning and enrichment, within and outside of the classroom. As a leading scholar and interdisciplinary expert in education, psychology and learning environments across the lifespan, King provides a service to educators, parents and those interested in child development by synthesizing volumes of research into a coherent whole, with excellent suggestive strategies that can be used in educating and raising children. Theoretical insights and strategies found in this book will improve the academy of teaching and learning and serve as a useful resource for educational and childcare professionals, policymakers and parents. For those that care about the future of our children and education, Enriching the Lives of Children is essential reading.

"[This book] examines the costs and benefits of both a targeted and a universal prekindergarten program and shows the positive impact of these programs on the economy, federal and state budgets, and the educational achievement and earnings of children and adults."--Book jacket.

In this revolutionary book, a renowned computer scientist explains the importance of teaching children the basics of computing and how it can prepare them to succeed in the ever-evolving tech world. Computers have completely changed the way we teach children. We have Mindstorms to thank for that. In this book, pioneering computer scientist Seymour Papert uses the invention of LOGO, the first child-friendly programming language, to make the case for the value of teaching children with computers. Papert argues that children are more than capable of mastering computers, and that teaching computational processes like de-bugging in the classroom can change the way we learn everything else. He also shows that schools saturated with technology can actually improve socialization and interaction among students and between students and teachers. Technology changes every day, but the basic ways that computers can help us learn remain. For thousands of teachers and parents who have sought creative ways to help children learn with computers, Mindstorms is their bible.

Addressing the need for a dynamic change in the formula schools use to mold their students, this groundbreaking guide provides a new approach to education that serves the lives of everyone in the learning community. By implementing the unique communication skills outlined, educators can promote cooperation and understanding and address many of the complex problems faced in the classroom. Teachers will learn new skills to increase student interest, achievement, and retention, as well as create a safe and supportive learning and working atmosphere. They are also given strategies for cultivating emotional intelligence, respect, authenticity, and empathy and are empowered to resolve conflict and prevent or defuse violence. The end result helps teachers rediscover the joy of teaching motivated students.

Eric Jensen—a leading expert in the translation of brain research into education, argues in Enriching the Brain that we greatly underestimate students’ achievement capacity. Drawing from a wide range of neuroscience research as well as related studies, Jensen reveals that the human brain is far more dynamic and malleable than we earlier believed. He offers us a powerful new understanding of how the brain can be “enriched,” across the board to maximize learning, memory, behavior and overall function. The bottom line is we have far more to do with how our children’s brains turn out than we previously thought. Enriching the Brain shows that lasting brain enrichment doesn’t occur randomly through routine or ordinary learning. It requires a specific, and persistent experiences that amount to a “formula” for maximizing brain potential. Parents, teachers and policy-makers would do well to memorize this formula. In fact, the lifelong potential of all school age kids depends on whether or not we use it. Offering an inspiring and innovative set of practices for promoting enrichment in the home, the school, and the classroom, this book is a clarion call. All of us, from teachers to parents to policymakers must take their role as ‘brain shapers’ much more seriously and this book gives the tools with which to do it.

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.

How do I enrich children′s learning of primary mathematics to bring the subject to life? This book inspires and supports you, the new and beginning teacher, to use talk-rich and open tasks that bring mathematics to life in your classroom. Tried and loved practical tasks that engage and motivate Supports you to create confident and resilient mathematicians in your classroom Explores ways to engage children in mathematics across the primary curriculum Focuses on understanding key mathematical concepts and the connections between them