Wednesday 26 June 2013

NEW BOOK!!! Understanding Schemas and Young Children by Frances Atherton and Cathy Nutbrown

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!

Thanet Early Years staff wishing to purchase a copy of this book can contact Kim for a discount code.


Happy Reading!