The Thinking Child Resource Book: Brain-based Learning for the Early Years Foundation Stage

Happy with product

My school adopted using the brain-based learning techniques described in The ALPS Approach after going on the ALPS training course. So I was really pleased when I saw that one of the ALPS authors had brought out a book specifically for the early years. The Thinking Child is as good as ALPS, if not better. It gives lots of new ideas for brain-based learning, along with the theory behind why it works. In this book the theory is tailored specifically to be of interest to those working with the younger children. There are lots of real life examples that illustrate the key points. Although I work in a school, this book would be equally useful for someone in any type of setting. Examples are given about how all types of practitioners could put the theory into practice - including childminders, nursery nurses, key workers etc. I now recommend it to any parent with an interest in brain-based learning, as the information can easily be applied in the home. Great illustrations with lots of humour help the book go with a 'swing'. I also loved the little snippets of useless but interesting information - I plan to collect these to use to brighten up staff meetings. I can really recommend this book to anyone interested in improving their teaching or parenting of young children.

Page after page of The Thinking Child offers new insights into how a child's mind works coupled with great ideas for successfully teaching each individual child we come in contact with. While the book is geared toward early childhood educators, the global ideas are applicable to teaching children of all ages, even teenagers. The author addresses numerous challenges teachers face daily while giving us the tools and incentive to strive for excellence in our work. I learned more from reading this book than from all of my undergraduate studies.