Developing Thinking and Understanding in Young Children: An Introduction for Students

The third edition of this essential book presents a comprehensive and accessible overview of contemporary theory and research about young children’s developing thinking and understanding. Sue Robson’s detailed exploration of the ideas and theories is enlivened by transcripts of children’s activities and conversations taken from practice and contemporary research, helping readers to make links between theory, research and practice. This new edition brings together up-to-date research into neuroscience and digital learning, combining theory with discussions for best practice. Each chapter also includes ideas for further reading and suggested activities.

Key chapters explore the following:

• Theories of cognitive development
• The social, emotional and cultural contexts of children’s thinking
• Developments in brain science and young children
• The central roles of play and language in young children’s developing thinking
• Children’s conceptual development; visual thinking and thinking in music

This book is crucial reading for all those interested in how young children develop through their thoughts and actions, including students of Early Years studies, teachers and early years practitioners.

Sue Robson is Honorary Research Fellow in the Early Childhood Research Centre, Froebel College, at the University of Roehampton. Sue taught in early years and primary settings before moving into higher education, where she was Principal Lecturer and Subject Leader for Early Childhood Studies at the University of Roehampton. Her research interests include cognition in early childhood, in particular self-regulation and metacognition (the subject of her doctoral studies), young children’s creative thinking, well-being and early childhood practitioner development. She is particularly interested in working with young children as participants in research, using a range of research methods to elicit their perspectives. Sue is a National Teaching Fellow and a Trustee and Member of Council of the Froebel Trust. Sue has written and presented widely.