ABSTRACT

The third edition of this essential book presents a comprehensive and accessible overview of contemporary theory and research about young children’s developing thinking and understanding. Sue Robson’s detailed exploration of the ideas and theories is enlivened by transcripts of children’s activities and conversations taken from practice and contemporary research, helping readers to make links between theory, research and practice. This new edition brings together up-to-date research into neuroscience and digital learning, combining theory with discussions for best practice. Each chapter also includes ideas for further reading and suggested activities.

Key chapters explore the following:

  • Theories of cognitive development
  • The social, emotional and cultural contexts of children’s thinking
  • Developments in brain science and young children
  • The central roles of play and language in young children’s developing thinking
  • Children’s conceptual development; visual thinking and thinking in music

This book is crucial reading for all those interested in how young children develop through their thoughts and actions, including students of Early Years studies, teachers and early years practitioners.

chapter Chapter 2|31 pages

Theories of cognitive development

Learning to think and thinking to learn

chapter Chapter 4|19 pages

The brain and the body

Neuroscience and embodied cognition

chapter Chapter 5|30 pages

Knowing about the mind

Executive function, theory of mind, self-regulation and metacognition

chapter Chapter 7|28 pages

Language, communication and thought

chapter Chapter 8|27 pages

Knowing about the world

The development of children’s concepts

chapter Chapter 9|12 pages

Young children’s visual thinking

chapter Chapter 10|8 pages

Young children’s thinking in music