Whenever I discuss schemas with staff working with children
under three, I am often asked about appropriate planning for schemas in terms
of children’s learning and development. In particular, this seems to be
troublesome in regards to babies under one.
I am therefore pleased to have acquired this wonderful new
book ‘Understanding Schemas and Young Children From birth to three’ by Frances
Atherton and Cathy Nutbrown, who incidentally just happen to be two of the
finest leaders in the world of Early Years.
Most books referring to children learning through schematic
play tend to focus on children over three; how refreshing therefore to have a
resource that concentrates on babies and toddlers under three. The book
consists of longitudinal studies and observations of children and follows their
different schemas; highlighting what the children are learning and developing and,
more importantly, how they are learning and what they might be thinking.
In addition an in depth case study of a young baby, ‘Henry’,
provides us with rich, detailed accounts of his learning and development across
the EYFS; whilst he pursues several schemas and fascinations over a two year
period. Charts exploring what he may
have been thinking and ‘The observations tell a schema story...’ are invaluable
to all staff whether they are new to schemas or experienced practitioners who
have worked with children and their schemas over several years.
The section ‘Stories from Home’ will be helpful to those
practitioners who continue to develop that vital relationship between home and
setting and who may not always be successful in engaging and involving parents in their children’s
schematic fascinations. The chapter is full of observations made by parents of
their children pursuing schematic play in a home environment.
I feel privileged to
have been given an opportunity to review this book. It is a great learning tool
for early years practitioners working with children, who are and who will
continue to pursue schemas in their play.
This book is a must have for all staff working with children under three in an early years setting. Be warned though, once picked up the book is very hard to put down!
This book is a must have for all staff working with children under three in an early years setting. Be warned though, once picked up the book is very hard to put down!
Thanet Early Years staff wishing to purchase a copy of this book can contact Kim for a discount code.
Happy Reading!
