Publisher's Synopsis
Invaluable for anyone looking to understand young children's thinking, this essential textbook helpfully combines introductions to theories about thinking with observations from real-life practice. The book explores underlying theories behind topics such as:
- the relationship between nature and nuture
- models of cognitive development, with ideas from key thinkers such as Piaget, Vygotsky and Bruner
- basic neuroscience and its application to early childhood
- the social, emotional and cultural context of children's development
- emotional intelligence
- language and thought, including the use of motherese and children's talk in pretend play
- whether children can think philosophically.
The author accompanies every topic with observations from the classroom, supported by her own critical analysis linking theory to practice throughout.
