by Cathy Nutbrown (Author), Cathy Nutbrown (Author)
Threads of Thinking, Third Edition is a book for all early years practitioners who wish to support and develop children's thinking. The author presents evidence of continuity and progression in young children's thinking and shows, with detailed observations, that they are able and active learners. She considers aspects of children's patterns of learning and thinking - or schemas - and demonstrates clearly how children learn in an active, dynamic and creative way. Numerous examples of young children 'in action' are used, which illustrate their learning in areas of literacy, mathematics and science. Observations of babies and toddlers are included in this new edition with discussion of how their early schematic development can be supported. Examples of children learning through creative experiences in the arts are also included. Implications for curriculum, assessment and work with parents are thoroughly considered in a style that compels attention to children's own learning agendas. The Second Edition of Threads of Thinking was published 1999. Since then the policy context of early childhood education has undergone radical change.In response to this and other important policy developments, this fully revised Third Edition includes numerous detailed descriptions of children learning and discusses those observations in the light of our understanding about how children learn and how early childhood educators might teach. The impact of current national policies is addressed throughout, including the implications for practitioners of early assessment and the relationship of assessment to learning.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 176
Edition: Second
Publisher: Paul Chapman Publishing
Published: 26 May 1999
ISBN 10: 185396459X
ISBN 13: 9781853964596
`The focus of Threads of Thinking is on children's patterns of learning and thinking, particularly schemas. However, the book as a whole is much more than that and provides material for reflection by anyone working with and for young children. Many of the examples discussed are ones considered in the First Edition, but the changes Cathy Nutbrown has made throughout the book bring it right up to date, including some speculation on the ideas of a Foundation Stage in England. There is much here that is valuable for reading alone, but also a lot that could be shared by groups of people, including those already working in the field as well as those in training' - International Journal of Early Years Education
`The book is well organized and covers key areas which include children's developing understanding of mathematical and scientific ideas, early literacy, what is involved in the provision of a respectful and challenging curriculum, assessment.... This book makes an important contribution to the continuing debate with regard to the kind of training required by those involved in early childhood education' - Educational Research