How do children learn - and why do we teach them the way we do? Educational theorists and psychologists have researched the subject for more than 200 years. Their theories still influence the way we teach today. This book summarises the findings and ideas of some of them - famous names such as Montessori and Piaget as well as lesser-known ones such as Dewey and Donaldson. It also looks at the theory behind different approaches to early years education - High/Scope, Steiner, the Italian pre-schools of Reggio Emilia and the early years curriculum in New Zealand.

Table of Contents

Introduction John Comenius Jean-Jacques Rousseau Johann Heinrich Petalozzi Robert Owne Friedrich Froebel Sigmund Freud and psychoanalytic theories John Dewey Margaret McMillan Rudolf Steiner and Waldorf-Steiner education Maria Montessori and the Montessori method Susan Isaacs Jean Piaget Lev Vygotsky Burrhus Skinner and behaviourism John Bowlby and attachment theory Jerome Bruner Chris Athey and scheme theory Loris Malaguzzi and early education in Reggio Emilia Paulo Freire Hig/Scope Margaret Donaldson Howard Gardner and multiple intelligence theory Te Whariki: the New Zealand early years curriculum Forest schools Learning through play Research into brain development Emotional intelligence

Author Biography

Linda Pound is an early years consultant, trainer and writer who has been head of a nursery school, an LEA inspector and university lecturer.