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Threads of Thinking
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Threads of Thinking
Schemas and Young Children's Learning

Fourth Edition


April 2011 | 216 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
In her new edition of this popular book, Cathy Nutbrown presents evidence of continuity and progression in young children's thinking. She shows, with detailed observation, 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.

This book makes schema theory explicit in practice. Supported by numerous detailed examples and the discussion of difficult theoretical issues, it illustrates children's learning in areas such as literacy, maths and science.

This Fourth Edition includes:
  • A new chapter on professional development

  • Changes in early years and primary practice

  • More coverage of theories of learning in relation to pedagogy

Threads of Thinking is for early years practitioners who wish to support and develop children's learning.

Professor Cathy Nutbrown is Director of the Masters program in Early Childhood Education at the University of Sheffield.

 
PART ONE: YOUNG CHILDREN LEARNING
 
Thinking about Young Children Learning
 
Some Questions about Schemas
 
PART TWO: CHILDREN'S PATTERNS OF LEARNING
 
Consistency, Continuity and Progression in Young Children's Learning
 
Schemas as Consistent Patterns of Behaviour: Studies of Three Children
 
PART THREE: SCHEMAS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
 
Children's Developing Understanding of Mathematical and Scientific Ideas
 
Patterns of Literacy
 
Nourishing Children's Thinking through Stories
 
PART FOUR: IMPLICATIONS FOR EARLY EDUCATION
 
A Curriculum for Thinking Children
 
Assessment for Learning
 
Working with Parents

Praise for the previous edition:

'Cathy Nutbrown is able to discuss difficult theoretical issues with a lightness of touch and to illustrate those issues with clear observations from children. Accessibility is combined with depth. The scope of the book is comprehensive but detailed. She covers most of the early education issues of the day in ways that will encourage professionals to develop a more coherent and meaningful pedagogy than exists at the present time' - Chris Athey


A very good publication which takes it time to expand on theory in relation to practical settings making it useful for both the undergraduate classroom and the work experience modules, well worth a read for any Early Years student.

Mr Neil Barnes
Education Department, Colchester Institute
December 1, 2016

Essential reading for all students training in the Early Years sector.

Mrs Kim Hall
Sch of Health,Community & Educ Studies, Northumbria University
October 12, 2016

The book helps to understand how young children think and learn. It is a good source of information for elementary school teachers who are going to work with children who just left kindergarten. The book helps to design learning activities and to evaluate learning processes that respect the young children's schemata.

Miss Kirsten Frieda Bruhn
Elementary Education , Leuphana Universitat Luneburg
February 22, 2016

This further addition from Cathy Nutbrown offers an easy to absorb update on her previous publications which helpd the reader to focus on thinking skills within play and children's development. Excellent for use on any module connected to these topics

Mrs Jo Williams
School of Education and Community, Glyndwr University
February 1, 2016

Useful for students to read in order to develop understanding and support assessments.

Mrs Nicola Claire Firth
School of Education and Professional Development, Huddersfield University
August 18, 2015

I did not find this book to have sufficient theoretical underpinning.

Dr Shalaan Farouk
School of Education, Roehampton Univ.
September 23, 2014

Cathy Nutbrown inspires good practice, revels in the joy of observation and explains how much we can learn from this and how this can develop our own practice.

The book covers many aspects including how schemas may develop knowledge and understanding and the implications of this for Early Education.

Lots of examples and links between theory & practice.

A great inspiration for people studying towards Early Years qualification.

Ms Caroline Brooks
Childcare & Early Years, Sheffield College
June 20, 2014

Cathy Nutbrown has made a difficult subject easy to read! the students are already looking into buying this book to support their learning of Schemas

Mrs Sue Kinsella
Child Studies, York College
October 2, 2013

This book is easy to read. It explains the process of assessment in the Early Years and is based on involving children in their assessment. Carr gives purpose to this and explains the benefits of Learning Stories and dialogue with young children.

Mrs Alison Gallacher
Education , Strathclyde University
June 27, 2013

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1


Sage College Publishing

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