Publisher Description

Focusing on the early philosophies of learning and key behavioural, cognitive, and social theorists, including Locke, Rousseau, Montessori, Piaget, Vygotsky, Bandura, Bronfenbrenner & Bruner, this popular book provides a comprehensive overview of children's learning. The authors highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each theoretical perspective, and encourage reflection on how different approaches impact on the learning environment. The discussion finishes with an exploration of the new sociology of childhood.



New to this Second Edition are:


* a new chapter on 'What is theory and what is learning?


* a new chapter on 'The Changing nature of learning'


There is also a new companion website which features:


* journal articles to read alongside each chapter


* podcasts from the authors explaining the key points on each topic


* links to video material discussing key theories and methods.



You can access the books online materials at study.sagepub.com/grayandmacblain2e


Accessibly written, with key questions and recommended reading included, this book is essential for all those studying on child development, early childhood and childhood studies courses, and for anyone interested in understanding more about how children learn and think.


Colette Gray is Head of Research Development and Principal Lecturer in Childhood Studies at Stanmillis University College, Belfast, and Sean MacBlain is Reader in Child Development and Disability at the University of St. Mark & St. John, Plymouth.


For access to the website

Notes

2nd edition. Presents the key learning theories and theorists in children's learning with a balanced but critical review of each perspective. Content is relevant to all Early Years and Primary degree courses.

Author Biography

Dr Colette Gray is a Chartered Developmental Psychologist at Stranmillis University College, a College of The Queen's University of Belfast. She is a Principal Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies, was until very recently the Head of Research Development and a Visiting Professor (Child Development & Education) to the University of St Marks & St John's Plymouth. She has studied and taught a range of undergraduate and post graduate degree modules to students for more than 20 years. Editor of the International Journal of Early Years Education, she continues to develop her research interests in the field of participatory research which children and marginalised groups, the impact of special needs on children's learning, and the ethical implications of research involving vulnerable groups. Married for 40 years, she is the proud grandmother of three pre-schoolers Jacob (3 yrs 6mths), Isabelle (20 months) and Isaac (15 mths).

Sean MacBlain PhD is a distinguished author and academic whose publications include: MacBlain (Sage, 2014) How Children Learn; Gray and MacBlain (Sage, 2015) Learning Theories in Childhood, now going into its 3rd edition; MacBlain, Long and Dunn, (Sage, 2015) Dyslexia, Literacy and Inclusion: Child-centred Perspectives; MacBlain, Dunn and Luke (Sage, 2017) Contemporary Childhood. A number of Sean's publications are used by students, academics and practitioners worldwide. Sean is currently a senior academic at Plymouth Marjon University where he previously held the positions of Research Lead for the Centre for Professional and Educational Research, Research Coordinator for the School of Education and Deputy Chair of the Ethics Committee. Sean also worked previously as a Senior Lecturer in Education and Developmental Psychology at Stranmillis University College, Queens University Belfast. In addition to this, Sean has also worked for over twenty years as an educational psychologist and continues in this field as an independent practitioner. Sean is married to Angela and lives in Somerset, England.

Sean MacBlain will be discussing key ideas from Contemporary Childhood in the SAGE Early Years Masterclass, a free professional development experience hosted by Kathy Brodie. To sign up, or for more information, click here.

Table of Contents

An Introduction to Learning Theories
The Developmental Process Underpinning Learning: The Role of Theory and Philosophy
The Founding Fathers and Philosophies of Learning
Classical and Operant Conditioning: The Early Years Experience
Piaget, Learning and Cognitive Constructivism
Vygotsky: Learning in a Social Matrix
Bandura, Bronfenbrenner and Social Learning
Bruner and Discovery Learning/Constructivism
New Perspectives: Childhood Studies
Theory in Practice: Learning and the Reflective Practitioner
The Changing Nature of Learning

Review

This second edition is a fundamental text for anyone working with children or thinking about studying children and learning. It features extended discussion of essential theorists as well as helpful at-a-glance tables which enable the reader to compare different theories. -- Jenny Carpenter

Review Quote

This second edition is a fundamental text for anyone working with children or thinking about studying children and learning.

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