Understanding Schemas and Young Children
From Birth to Three
- Frances Atherton - Chester University, UK
- Cathy Nutbrown - University of Sheffield, UK
'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.
A well presented text with relevant examples facilitating the development and application of student's knowledge and understanding.
This was a very user friendly introduction to Schemas. Loved the use of colour photographs - some beautiful pictures!
Understanding schemas and young children on a contemporary topic of interest. It gives good case studies of young children's schemas. It is an ideal text for undergraduate students studying child development.
Many students find the concept of schemas quite complex. Atherton and Nutbrown have provided clear and accessible guidance for not only students but to their tutors too in getting key themes across. The study carried out brings the work alive and allows students the capacity to understand more fully the putting theory into practice that lecturers keep talking about. This will be on the recommended reading list for the next academic year and has been recommended to students already on the course.
This book is excellent to introduce and give very practical knowledge in relation to the formation of Schema's in young Children. In particular my Child Development Class found it most useful to them in conducting cognitive observations on children between the ages of 0-6 years. It helped my students to formulate well informed evaluations after an observation had taken place on a child over a period of weeks. I have also found that my students now find it easier to link and observe concept formation development in children as they express through play
Dee Daly
Humanistic Integrated Psychotherapist &
Lecturer in Childcare Development
Psychology
An exceptional book- very accessible
A super resource for students and existing practitioners; well designed with an explanation of the theory behind schemas, followed by case studies that help to embed understanding. Well-presented, and the use of coloured photographs is a bonus
A great book which draws on schemas and provides concrete examples of how to support and recognise them. A must have for those who work with the birth to threes!
I know that I will be using this book regularly with our Early Childhood Studies students who sometimes find this topic challenging. Detailed and specific examples of observation make the link between practice and theory clear, relevant and easy to follow.
A brilliant book to illustrate to new degree students how schemas are thoughts in action. Supports our students in expanding their understanding of cognitive development in the early years.
Sage College Publishing
