Winner of the 2013 Nursery World Awards!This is a key text for all those studying for degrees and foundation degrees in early childhood, early years and related disciplines and for candidates on EYPS pathways. It takes the reader through a detailed exploration of the nature of play examining the features and the concepts of play. Guidance on the observation of children′s play is included and the text encourages students to appreciate the value of play in developmen...

This book summarises the ideas of educational theorists and psychologists of the last 60 years, from Elinor Goldschmied to Tina Bruce. It also looks at the important contemporary issues in early years education, from whether boys and girls learn differently to the role of the community in the early years setting.

The author, working from the Family Institute in Cardiff, has been treating adult survivors of child sexual and physical abuse for several years, and she has clearly and frankly described her work in this book. She begins be describing the context for working with her clients; then describes the way she has welded systemic thinking and a feminist perspective into a theoretical model she uses to understand the problem and to guide her own work with the survivors. The descriptions of the the...

A valuable guide to working with groups for a variety of purposes in the human services. Its distinctive strength is the focus on 'thinking group' and on theory informed reflective practice. Grounded throughout in the rich experiences of 'group insiders', the book is both engaging and informative. Definitely a recommended resource for practitioners, students and educators.Ros Thorpe, Professor of Social Work and Community Welfare, James Cook UniversityGroup facilit...

Adulthood is an accessible text which deals with the vital area of adult psychological development. It combines detailed accounts of the main theories and evidence on the psychology of adulthood with thorough discussion and commentary, presented in a concise and friendly form. The book's approach encourages engagement with the main theories of this highly relevant topic, as well as including less well-known models of adulthood for discussion.The book begins with a definiti...

In this book, Jennifer Moon explores and clarifies critical thinking and provides practical guidance for improving student learning and supporting the teaching process.Key themes covered include:different views of and approaches to critical thinking with an emphasis on a practical basis that can be translated into use in the classroom.links between learning, thinking and writingthe place of critical thinking alongside other academic activities such...

This book focuses on clarifying the adult role in early childhood education & care amongst new initiatives in the current context.

Providing high quality play experiences is an essential part of good early years education, but this can pose a challenge for practitioners who face pressure from a more didactic primary curriculum, and from parents worried that their children will fail to acquire essential skills and knowledge.By helping the reader to develop their understanding of the complex relationships between play and learning, this book examines current theoretical perspectives on play, alongside examples o...

New Kinds of Smart presents the most important of these changes to practising teachers and educators, and invites them to think about their implications for school.

This fully revised and updated second edition: * outlines the main components and distinctive characteristics of interpersonal communication * offers detailed analysis of communication structures, considering their everyday applications and implications * includes new material on race, gender and sexuality * looks to the future of interpersonal communication.

Governments around the world spend millions on art and cultural institutions, evidence of a basic human need for what the author refers to as 'creating aesthetic significance.' Yet what function or purpose does art satisfy in today’s society? In this thorough and accessible text, Hickman rejects the current vogue for social and cultural accounts of the nature of art-making in favor of a largely psychological approach aimed at addressing contemporary developmental issues in art education. B...

This book provides an overview of the proposed changes to the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, raising contemporary issues.