This accessible guide introduces neuroscience, demystifying terminology and language and increasing the knowledge, skills and, importantly, confidence of anyone interested in brain development in early childhood. Practical and reflective chapters highlight the multi-faceted role of adults as ‘brain builders’ and encourage the reader to consider how the environment, play and interactions are crucially interlinked. The book considers cutting-edge science and introduces this in an accessible way to look at a range of ways that adults can support children, exploring: how poverty, adversity, and social, emotional and mental health all influence the developing child the science behind play, and why it is so important for young children how we can take ideas from different disciplines such as psychology and anthropology and interweave these with the overarching research of neuroscience why adult interaction (both practitioner and parent/carer) with children is crucial for the developing brain the importance of reflective practice to encourage readers to consider their actions and develop their understanding of important topics raised in the book. With a wealth of case studies and reflective practices weaving throughout, readers will be encouraged and empowered to pause and consider their own practice. Little Brains Matter will be essential reading for anyone interested in early childhood development.

Join Tom as he follows the teddy robber to his lair, and solves the mystery of the missing bears.

Recognising the importance of ‘the first one thousand days’, from the beginning of a woman’s pregnancy until her child’s second birthday, this comprehensive guide takes a fresh look at the role of the practitioner in supporting the family, mother and child from conception through to early infancy. A period of dramatic physical, social and emotional change for both the parent and child, an infant’s experiences during his or her first two years of life have a significant impact on later development. From Conception to Two Years brings together key research, theory and experiences from practice to further practitioners’ knowledge and understanding of this critical period, and it informs professional approaches to providing care. Offering an explanation of key issues affecting the care of very young children, chapters feature reflective questions and promote discussion and further thinking on topics including: understanding and supporting parents and families during the transition to parenthood building a positive practitioner–parent relationship development, growth and care during the prenatal period approaches to care in the perinatal period attachment and the development of emotional connections ethical issues surrounding the care of infants creating playful care opportunities with infants and their families. Giving Early Years practitioners and students the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to effectively support and care for children and their families from the very start, From Conception to Two Years is an essential guide for the provision of high quality infant care.

THE #1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'This book has changed my life' Joe Wicks 'As a parenting support book this is in a class of its own . . . It is perhaps the most helpful book for parents of children of any age' Professor Peter Fonagy, CEO Anna Freud National Centre for Children & Families 'This is a book that will change lives' Dr Suzanne Zeedyk, Infant Psychologist 'This book is absolutely brilliant! I love that it is about parenting a healthy brain' Dr Guddi Singh, Paediatrician and Health Campaigner Want to know the secret to tackling tantrums and tears, stopping squabbles in seconds AND lay the foundations for your child's good mental health in the process? In There's No Such Thing As 'Naughty', mum to two young children, journalist and children's mental health advocate Kate Silverton shares her groundbreaking new approach to parenting under-fives that helps to make family life so much easier and and certainly a lot more fun! Kate's unique strategies, easy-to-follow scripts and simple techniques will enable you to manage those tricky everyday challenges with ease - and help you to enjoy the strongest bond possible with your child, both now and in the years ahead. Endorsed by leading figures in the field of children's mental health, at the heart of the book is a simple and revelatory way to understand how your child's brain develops and how it influences their behaviour. Rooted in the latest science - explained really simply - this engaging, accessible and warm parenting guide will redefine how you see and raise your children, with a new understanding that for under-fives, there can be no such thing as 'naughty'.

If ever there was a time for love and nurture it is now. Love and Nurture approaches are intertwined and impossible to focus on in isolation. This practical book for Early Years students and practitioners includes real-life case studies and practical examples alongside academic underpinning and essential theory. It supports students to understand and explore the need for and importance of Love and Nurture in early years practice. The book focuses on key child developmental factors including brain development, attachment awareness, love languages and nurturing touch, the science of nurture, the theory of love and nurture and building relational practice.

If you work in the early years, you have probably heard of Montessori and Bronfenbrenner - but have you heard of Bavolek or Fisher? Contemporary theorists and theories of early childhood learning have much to teach us. It is often forgotten that this learning is still evolving and that new voices are joining the discussion every year. This book introduces early years practitioners to some contemporary theorists and explores their work alongside more well-known thinkers. It demonstrates how these theories relate to everyday practice in the early years and that discussion of them can support ongoing professional learning.

In this innovative book, Amanda Norman looks at D. W. Winnicott’s theory of Transitional Objects in early years practice, the ‘good-enough’ parent, and the relationship between the young child and primary carer in relation to the value of Transitional Objects. Norman looks at how an understanding of psychological theories can be useful when caring for young children in both educational and research contexts, aiding those interested in understanding therapeutic relationships, and applying the principles to promote the use of Transitional Objects in their work. Throughout the book, Norman uses case studies from parents, children, and practitioner’s perspectives in supporting physical and emotional development. Through these, she shows how observing Transitional Objects is particularly relevant to living in the west, where a low touch, high technology culture prevails, compounded by the recent pandemic. This volume contributes to a timely connection between the understanding and application of therapeutic approaches within early educational contexts. Including engaging exercises at the end of each chapter, this book is a perfect companion for those approaching the concept of Transitional Objects for the first time. Transitional Objects in Early Childhood is vital reading for those with an interest in the psychology of the infant/young child and their relationship and realities with the external world. It will be of particular interest to those specialising in infant and child care who wish to develop their knowledge of emotional development through play, as well as those working in a variety of social, education, and health contexts.

Resilience and Wellbeing in Young Children, Their Families and Communities unpicks the theme of resilience and wellbeing through diverse contexts, circumstances, populations and life stories in order to explore its complexity globally. Current societal events have brought forward a need for understanding how to best support and create environments with conditions that promote children’s holistic wellbeing. Violence in all its facets, poverty, political conflict and the recent pandemic are among the major realities threatening children, and this demands attention to how resilience can be supported to effectively safeguard children’s lived experiences. This book explores resilience from a range of perspectives, research projects and practical support mechanisms for young children, families, educators and communities. It starts with theoretical conceptualizations and goes on to present specific research projects and applied initiatives and how these can be used in application to praxis for young children and their families. Being of interest to educators and human services striving to advocate for and enhance young children’s wellbeing, this book will serve as both a useful overview of the many approaches to supporting resilience in young children, while providing a sound theoretical perspective that is accessible for all.

A practically focused guide to effective counseling of all clients Human Development Across the Life Span is a practical guide to human growth and development, moving beyond theory to include real-world applications for counselors who work with clients. Written by recognized authorities in mental health counseling and counselor education, this book is fully aligned with the American Counseling Association's accreditation standards and includes contributions by well-known and respected academics and practitioners. Based on an extensive review of course syllabi across CACREP-accredited programs, this book is organized to follow the way courses are typically taught and follows a consistent structure including pedagogical elements that help students learn. After a thorough examination of essential concepts and theories of life span development, the book moves through each stage of human growth and development to provide expert insight, short case studies, and practical applications to counseling. The full Instructor's package provides a useful set of tools, including a Respondus test bank, PowerPoint slides, and an Instructor's Manual. This book is the only text on human growth and development that emphasizes the key implications and applications for counselors, providing useful information and the insights of real experts in each subject area. Understand the developmental milestones at each life stage Appreciate clients' perspectives to better facilitate appropriate interventions Work more effectively with clients of any age, from toddlers to seniors Tailor your approach to meet the unique needs and abilities of each life stage As a counselor, you cannot approach a child's therapy the same way you approach an adult's. Even within each major category, each developmental stage includes a nuanced set of characteristics that, considered appropriately, will inform a more effective treatment plan. Human Development Across the Life Span is a comprehensive guide to understanding all of your clients, and providing the type of counseling that facilitates more positive outcomes.

What does it mean to adopt a loving pedagogy within early childhood? Have you ever wondered what terms like attunement really mean? Loving Pedagogy Explained highlights the importance of developing a loving pedagogy and explains key terms used within this approach. Unpicking terms like advocacy, attachment, attunement, belonging, compassion, emotion coaching, empathy and empowerment, this book uses practical examples and case studies to explain what it means in practice when we adopt this approach. It also considers how we might adopt a loving pedagogy in relation to our policies, describing this ethos in more detail. Divided into two parts, the first provides a brief overview of the key terms used when describing a loving pedagogy alongside examples of what they mean in practice. Part two looks more broadly at the ethos of early childhood settings and unpicks various aspects of a loving pedagogy, including: how to write a loving pedagogy policy, how a loving pedagogy links to supporting behaviour, how we can nurture our children through developing a loving pedagogy and staff training and development. Part of the Key Concepts in Early Childhood Series, this is essential reading for early years practitioners and students who want to know and understand the importance of adopting a loving pedagogy within early childhood.