Developmental Psychology and Early Childhood Education
A Guide for Students and Practitioners
- David Whitebread - University of Cambridge
The book's major theme is the fundamental importance of young children developing as independent, self-regulating learners. It illustrates how good practice is based on four key principles which support and encourage this central aspect of development:
- secure attachment and emotional warmth
- feelings of control and agency
- cognitive challenge, adults supporting learning and children learning from one another
- articulation about learning, and opportunities for self-expression.
Each chapter includes:
- typical and significant questions which arise in practice related to that area of development
- an up-to-date review of key research, including insights from observational and experimental work with young children, from evolutionary psychology, and from neuroscientific studies of the developing brain
- practical exercises intended to deepen understanding and to inform practice
- questions for discussion
- recommended further reading.
This book provides an invaluable resource for early years students and practitioners, by summarizing new research findings and demonstrating how they can be translated into excellent early years practice.
David Whitebread is Senior Lecturer in Developmental Psychology and Early Years Education in the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge.
Very well thought out and produced.
A very useful reading source for a range of students on different courses rather than specifically linked to one course or module. Valuable to have more text books linking theory and practice.
Well written, informative and useful text to support all students studying elements of developmental psychology.
Excellent resource for undergraduate developmental psychology students.
interesting and very relevant
good background information for the International module to compare anmd contrast our standards to other countries
An excellent book for Early Childhood Students. It links theory to practice and outlines the importance of children learning and developing through play with the support of caring adults who value them. It discusses attachment theory in depth and presents photographs, questions for discussion and guides students to further reading.
this book covers the topic completeely but also in an easy to read and concise manner
This will be a key text on the Foundation degree in Childhood Studies. The links between theory and practice are clear and useful. I particularly like the emphasis on self-regulation and metacognition, areas that I have not found covered in other textbooks relating to young children's education.
An interesting book with relevant information for psychology and child care courses.
Will advise for background reading.
