Threads of Thinking

`If you are interested in understanding the behaviour and interests of young children this is the place to start! Cathy Nutbrown draws upon her own extensive experience of working with children and Early Years Practitioners to demystify the concept of `Schemas'. These are recognizable patterns of behaviour which indicate how children are making the connections necessary for the development of thought and understanding. The extensive illustrations and jargon free text make this an excellent text for students, parents and workers who wish to be more closely in tune with young children. It is the book that I most often lend or recommend to Early Years colleagues and students. Seriously interested readers will almost certainly also wish to read the seminal work of Chris Athey (1990) Extending Thought in Young Children: A Parent -Teacher Partnership, published by Paul Chapman Publishing, London' - Amazon Review

`If you are interested in understanding the behaviour and interests of young children this is the place to start! Cathy Nutbrown draws upon her own extensive experience of working with children and Early Years Practitioners to demystify the concept of 'Schemas'. These are recognizable patterns of behaviour which indicate how children are making the connections necessary for the development of thought and understanding. The extensive illustrations and jargon free text make this an excellent text for students, parents and workers who wish to be more closely in tune with young children. It is the book that I most often lend or recommend to Early Years colleagues and students Seriously interested readers will almost certainly also wish to read the seminal work of Chris Athey (1990) Extending Thought in Young Children: A Parent -Teacher Partnership, published by Paul Chapman, London' - Amazon Review

`The focus of Threads of Thinking is on children's patterns of learning and thinking, particularly schemas. However, the book as a whole is much more than that and provides material for reflection by anyone working with and for young children. Many of the examples discussed are ones considered in the First Edition, but the changes Cathy Nutbrown has made throughout the book bring it right up to date, including some speculation on the ideas of a "foundation stage" in England. There is much here that is valuable for reading alone, but also a lot that could be shared by groups of people, including those already working in the field as well as those in training' - International Journal of Early Years Education

`There are some excellent sections on scientific and mathematical learning in Part Three. Many practical ideas are provided for developing these concepts in young children. There are also excellent sections on literacy that again provide valuable insight into developing these concepts. There are valuable ideas and suggestions in the book, and I feel that teachers of young children in nurseries or early years settings would be quite interested in the contents' - Education Review

Threads of Thinking, Second Edition is a book for teachers in nursery and early education and for other professional educators who wish to support and develop children's thinking.

The author presents evidence of continuity and progression in young children's thinking and shows, with detailed observations, that they are able and active learners. She considers aspects of children's patterns of learning and thinking - or schemas - and demonstrates clearly how children learn in an active, dynamic and creative way.

Numerous examples of young children 'in action' are used, which illustrate their learning in areas of literacy, mathematics and science. Implications for curriculum, assessment and work with parents are thoroughly considered in a style that compels attention