Threads of Thinking: Schemas and Young Children's Learning

About the Book

In her new edition of this popular book, Cathy Nutbrown presents evidence of continuity and progression in young children′s thinking. She shows, with detailed observation, 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.

This book makes schema theory explicit in practice. Supported by numerous detailed examples and the discussion of difficult theoretical issues, it illustrates children′s learning in areas such as literacy, maths and science.

This new edition includes:

- discussion on the need for professional development

- changes in early years pedagogy

- more discussion of theories of learning in relation to curriculum and teaching practices

- new examples of children′s drawings

- new suggestions for using stories to support schemas.

Threads of Thinking is for early years practitioners who wish to support and develop children′s learning.

Professor Cathy Nutbrown is Director of Studies in Early Childhood Education at the University of Sheffield.

Table of Contents:
PART ONE: YOUNG CHILDREN LEARNING Thinking about Young Children Learning Some Questions about Schemas PART TWO: CHILDREN′S PATTERNS OF LEARNING Consistency, Continuity and Progression in Young Children′s Learning Schemas as Consistent Patterns of Behaviour: Studies of Three Children PART THREE: SCHEMAS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING Children′s Developing Understanding of Mathematical and Scientific Ideas Patterns of Literacy Nourishing Children′s Thinking through Stories PART FOUR: IMPLICATIONS FOR EARLY EDUCATION A Curriculum for Thinking Children Assessment for Learning Working with Parents

About the Author :
Cathy Nutbrown is President of Early Education and Professor of Education in the School of Education at the University of Sheffield. Her research over the last 30 years, has focussed on young children’s learning and work with parents to support young children’s literacy development.  She won an ESRC Award for Research with Outstanding Impact on Society and a Nursery World Lifetime Achievement Award. She is author of over 150 publications including Early Literacy Work with Families (with Hannon and Morgan, Sage, 2005), Early Childhood Educational Research (Sage, 2019), and Home Learning Environments for Young Children (with Clough, Davies and Hannon, Sage, 2022).

Review :
Praise for the previous edition:

′Cathy Nutbrown is able to discuss difficult theoretical issues with a lightness of touch and to illustrate those issues with clear observations from children. Accessibility is combined with depth. The scope of the book is comprehensive but detailed. She covers most of the early education issues of the day in ways that will encourage professionals to develop a more coherent and meaningful pedagogy than exists at the present time′ - Chris Athey

I really like the way that this book is presented which makes it instantly engaging. It is really easy to dip in and out of, and will be a great help to the many students who have struggled to find appropriate texts explaining schema. This book is a good introduction to schemas for early years workers, rather than parents. I am not sure that it′s enhanced by the pedagogical features at the end of each chapter as the book uses questions a lot anyway. I particularly liked the section on ′continuity′ and on ′working with parents′. Its strength is in making links with children′s literature. The 4th Edition of this excellent text continues to offer many insights into the lives of young children as learners;underpinned by theoretical models as applied to practice. The case studies bring the children′s understandings to life! The format is great for ′making sense′ for ourselves about representations children use such as schema, mark making and drawing. The section at the end of each chapter with questions and activities help the reader to reflect and apply ideas to practice and situate these in a relevant way. Overall the theme of respect for children,parents and early childhood professionals is a strong theme that connects to understanding and responding to the diverse ways in which young children learn. this is an essential text for practitioners working with young children and gives valuable insight into understanding how children think. It places the role of observation as a key ingredient in understanding children and their thinking. I particulalry enjoyed the chapter about working with parents. I also think that the use of Athey′s 3 Ps: professionals, parents and pedagogy is a great aide memoire to what we should be doing and reflecting upon in our work with children. A wonderful extension to the much loved work on Schemas by Professor Cathy Nutbrown. Those who are interested in the facsinating world of young children will never tire of extending their understanding of young children′s ability to make sense of the world as told in this thought provoking text. A welcome update of an already excellent text I did not find this book to have sufficient theoretical underpinning. The section on how to implement thinking skills into the classroom gave practical advice. Accessible, relevant information throughout the book. FdA ECS students have thoroughly appreciated the fresh ideas that Cathy Nutbrown promotes throughout this text. It has proved an excellent resource for their child development and supporting learning modules.
It also provides a clear link from the key theorists that have shaped our current philosphies to the current models of learning employed to best promote the development and learning within the early years.
Also useful when used with level 3 students to develop their reading and researching skills. This is an excellent book that has been effectively updated to include current thinking. It is essential reading for all early years students as it is informative and accessible. Particular features of the 4th edition that I find extremely helpful are the questions and activities at the end of each chapter as agreat teaching aid. I also like the inclusion of more drawings of themselves by children as the students really relate to these visual images. The layout of the book is attractive on good quality paper and the addition of shaded boxes containing anecdotes and case studies facilitates reading. All round an excellent book that is essential reading for anyone working with young children. This is a really great all round text for students as an update to Cathy Nutbrown′s previous edition. It is really interesting and useful text for all levels of Early Years study and I would recommend it as a worthwhile purchase to support Foundation Degree and Honours level students across many modules of study. So relevant to modules and over all student understanding. Written in the appropriate level and comprhensively covered the subject. Students found this very helpful. A very good introduction to Schemas. This is a minor part of the module hence the supplemental status. If the module had a bigger focus on Schemas, this would be essential reading. Whether you choose to recognise the existance of schema, this text will certainly provoke reflection and perhaps bring about new strategies to engage children in their early play. Nutbrown answers questions in a straight forward and practical way , through observation and theory. Extensive reference section promotes further reading. Very useful introduction to these topics and the exercises will be quite helpful as points of departure for class discussions. I would have expected nothing less from this author. This book is easy to read. It explains the process of assessment in the Early Years and is based on involving children in their assessment. Carr gives purpose to this and explains the benefits of Learning Stories and dialogue with young children. Excellent book that I will be using with my students. Claelry wriiten with easy to understand case studies that made the concrete link between theory and practice. An excellent update of this book which explains schemas with suitable examples. I will be adopting this as an essential text. It clearly outlines key issues for all practitioners to consider in relation to young children′s learning. I will defintely use this book on my reading list for students on F degree ITT and Childhood Studies. It makes simple and understandable reading for students, uses excellent sources and includes good examples of schema etc in context Very good when looking at child development and understanding how children learn. Super book which will help students to understand what schema looks like in practice A useful reference book. This is an interesting book to initially expose trainees to how children learn. It encourages them to think about their own role in the learning process. The case studies are valuable and the author unpicks the reasons behind the materila used. I recommend this text for all first, second and third year undergraduate students studying Childhhod Education. It is succinctly written, easy to read yet very effective in conveying how children learn. this book has been used on the CACHE level 3 course and the students found it good to use. This book has been purchased within the department as well as students also buying the book This book is invaluable for both practitioners and students who are working within the field of early years. Cathy Nutbrown has succeeded in making explicit the close relationship of thought and action as children develop and enhance their thinking. The inclusion of the many examples given in the text enable practitioners to relate to and engage with strong early years practice. Based around the concept of schemas this book uses many examples to illustrate the process of learning in small children. It is written with depth but easily understood to appeal to a wide audience and provides good recomendations for further reading at the end of every chapter. yet again cathy has been able to discuss issues surrounding childrens development which can be used be new and more experienced students and practitioners alike. This is a valuable book for any childcare practitioner to have on their shelf. Cathy Nutbrown has updated her book and has again given insight into the way children learn. An informative book for the early years practitioner. Cathy Nutbrown is an inspiring writer and understands children and what make them tick,a book I will reccommend not just to my students but to all Early years pratitioners I come in contact with. A fantastic and informative text An excellent text for students focussing on the Foundation Phase principles and practice. This an excellent book if you need to understand or refesh your knowledge of schemas and yound childrens learning This book will be useful for all ITE trainees. A particular strength is that it analyses schema theory which is crucial for trainees to understand. Did not receive although this is a re-print there is much new work here that brings the book up-to-date. This makes the text eve more valuable than it was before! Cathy Nutbrown has made a difficult subject easy to read! the students are already looking into buying this book to support their learning of Schemas Inspitational in approach in an area that is split in the sector over the amount of time and experiences children should have in the outdoors We have used previous editions of this book, it is one students often want to buy for themselves and I will be ordering a copy for our library too. A useful, informative text A great text for all adults working with children. Clear explanations of schemas. A must for all those directly working with young children. Depending on the focus for individual pathways through this self directed module - this text will prove valuable. Different career backgrounds - childminders, Early Years practioners and Local Authority family workers. an excellent update of a core text an excellent up date of a core text Cathy Nutbrown inspires good practice, revels in the joy of observation and explains how much we can learn from this and how this can develop our own practice.

The book covers many aspects including how schemas may develop knowledge and understanding and the implications of this for Early Education.

Lots of examples and links between theory & practice.

A great inspiration for people studying towards Early Years qualification. This is a really good book for undergraduate students interested in Teacher Training and/or completing their research project. Additionally, the layout of the book is simple and clearly written making it easy to dip in an out of. It will be of great benefit to students who have trouble reading and understanding theoretical text such as schema. This new edition provides clarity between the different roles and responsibilities such as that of educator, practitioner and/or other professional titles that sometimes cause confusion for students intending on working with children and young people. The examples also provide the necessaary link between theory and practice. A seminal text for understanding child development This is a fascinating book which will genuinely deepen students′ understanding of children′s learning. Although mainly the same interesting new elements added - will continue to be a key book for module 4020. My students found this a very clear and accessible account of young children′s schematic behaviour.