Cath Arnold – författare

This book is about Harry, a determined little boy, who is intrinsically motivated to explore his world from an early age. His parents and grandparents find him so fascinating that they keep a written and video diary of Harry''s play from when he is 8 months to five years. The author offers theories about how children learn and applies the theories to the observations of Harry.The book demonstrates how effectively Harry accesses each area of the curriculum through his interests. It shows how Harry develops coping strategies when the family experiences major changes. It also highlights the contribution made by Harry''s parents and his early years educators to his early education. Much of what we learn about Harry''s early learning can be applied to many other young children.This book about one child''s early development and learning will be of interest to all who are fascinated by how young children learn - nursery practitioners, early years teachers, parents, students and advisers.

This is a very practical book on observing young children that supports you in preparing a child observation case study. Taking a step-by-step approach the book covers the whole process beginning with choosing a child to study before discussing the fundamentals of child observation.

It includes invaluable guidance on:

The book includes many examples of good observations, which help show how your own observations can be evaluated, analyzed and used. In addition there is a fully worked example of a child observation case study in the penultimate chapter.

If you are studying early years or early childhood studies at foundation, undergraduate or Master's degree level then this book will really help you get to grips with how a good child observation study unfolds and develops.

Cath Arnold works at the Pen Green Centre, an internationally renowned Children's Centre in Corby, UK. She is author of Observing Harry (Open University Press 2003).

"This is a fascinating and accessible new book on child observation case study for students and professionals. Cath Arnold integrates theoretical perspectives and practical examples of observations with remarkable clarity in this comprehensive guidance to child case study."Shirley Allen, Senior Lecturer Early Childhood Studies, Middlesex University

"It is quickly evident to the reader that 'Doing Your Child Observation Case Study' is steeped in the expertise and extensive experience of its author. The practical guidance it offers is likely to prove invaluable for childhood studies students and early career researchers in the field. Yet Cath Arnold's 'step-by-step guide' goes far beyond the practical. She shines vital light on the complex nuances of values, beliefs, ethics and rights inherent in child case study and addresses with clarity and credibility the crucial role that theory can play in supporting our understanding of children's actions. This text is an excellent addition to the childhood studies bookshelf."Dr Jane Murray, Centre for Education and Research, University of Northampton, UK

"Cath Arnold has provided a rich resource for those who want to understand more about children, their wellbeing and their learning. This detailed approach to child observation offers guidance on why, how and what to observe, and how to interpret what is observed."Professor Cathy Nutbrown, Head of The School of Education, The University of Sheffield

"'Doing Your Child Observation Case Study' shows us the way to be well informed practitioners able to offer children a really rich learning experience."

Dr. Margy Whalley, Director of the Research, Development and Training Base at the Pen Green Centre and Centre for Children and their Families

The book covers the whole process of embarking on the study or observation of a child (or children) including sensitive areas or areas to avoid. It begins with choosing a child to study; the ethics of the study; ways of gathering data and tools to use; observations that are useful; examples of short child case studies and longer child case studies; how to select material to include; and, analysing or interpreting the material.

One child (Georgia) is used as a focus example throughout the book so that you can really get to grips with how a good child observation study unfolds and develops. Further shorter examples also illuminate the challenges and practicalities of doing your child observation case study.

This book grew out of a three-year study of one child, documenting her social, emotional and cognitive development.

It provides a valuable insight for all students and teachers of child development at the individual level. The observations and assessments are presented here as a model for students to use in their own observations aimed at supporting and extending children's learning. The book sets out theories and traditions in early childhood development and care, as well as ways of analyzing observations.

This is an essential book for students and practitioners involved in research and observation in early years settings.

Evolved through conversations with key early childhood education experts, Schemas in the Early Years focuses on the value of ‘repeated patterns’ of action or ‘schemas’ in young children’s play. It stimulates readers to ask questions of themselves, to watch children closely, and to create a dialogue with parents and other educators as well.

Contributors to this fascinating book discuss their observation of children in naturalistic situations when they are deeply involved in play and identify topics or themes that can be linked to and inspire professional development opportunities. This book provides an antidote to beginning with the curriculum rather than the child and really considers children as learners. Each chapter focuses on young children and schemas, considering a wide age range from babies to children attending statutory schooling.

Schemas in the Early Years is an accessible and inspiring text and serves as essential reading for educators wanting to think further and in more depth about schemas. Newcomers to schema theory or anyone currently using schema theory to understand children will also find these enquiries useful.

All royalties from the sale of this book will be donated to Shelter – the housing and homelessness charity.

Evolved through conversations with key early childhood education experts, Schemas in the Early Years focuses on the value of ‘repeated patterns’ of action or ‘schemas’ in young children’s play. It stimulates readers to ask questions of themselves, to watch children closely, and to create a dialogue with parents and other educators as well.

Contributors to this fascinating book discuss their observation of children in naturalistic situations when they are deeply involved in play and identify topics or themes that can be linked to and inspire professional development opportunities. This book provides an antidote to beginning with the curriculum rather than the child and really considers children as learners. Each chapter focuses on young children and schemas, considering a wide age range from babies to children attending statutory schooling.

Schemas in the Early Years is an accessible and inspiring text and serves as essential reading for educators wanting to think further and in more depth about schemas. Newcomers to schema theory or anyone currently using schema theory to understand children will also find these enquiries useful.

All royalties from the sale of this book will be donated to Shelter – the housing and homelessness charity.

Young Children Learning Through Schemas is a creative and highly engaging text that shows how young children can learn through exploring repeated patterns in their actions. With contributions from a range of practitioners, this book examines the philosophical approaches underpinning constructivism and includes a variety of case studies of small children in order to demonstrate the universal explorations we all engage in as human beings.

This approach from the contributors, which involves presenting observations of one or two young children per chapter, is engaging, inspirational and yet rooted in every day practice. Chapters include a variety of observations of young children at home, in nursery and in groups with their parents or carers, which continue the dialogue about early years practice and the roles of families and professionals. Containing a wealth of illustrative photos, any practitioner researching or working in the area of Early Years education and care will find this book essential reading.

Young Children Learning Through Schemas is a creative and highly engaging text that shows how young children can learn through exploring repeated patterns in their actions. With contributions from a range of practitioners, this book examines the philosophical approaches underpinning constructivism and includes a variety of case studies of small children in order to demonstrate the universal explorations we all engage in as human beings.

This approach from the contributors, which involves presenting observations of one or two young children per chapter, is engaging, inspirational and yet rooted in every day practice. Chapters include a variety of observations of young children at home, in nursery and in groups with their parents or carers, which continue the dialogue about early years practice and the roles of families and professionals. Containing a wealth of illustrative photos, any practitioner researching or working in the area of Early Years education and care will find this book essential reading.

Improving Your Reflective Practice through Stories of Practitioner Research shows how research has informed and created effective and valuable reflective practice in early years education, and offers depth to the arguments for a research-orientated stance to this vital field of study.

This thought-provoking text explores and documents a variety of small-scale practitioner research projects from the home and early years settings. The stories are centred around real life for children, families and workers and offer practical ideas and support for early years students around the world. They engage in some of the most current debates in early childhood education today, such as:

Throughout this book, the ‘Pen Green’ attitude to practitioner research is actively encouraged. This involves fostering curiosity, being open to the views of others, questioning the ‘taken for granted’, making the implicit explicit and reflecting on one’s daily work. Any practitioner research in early years education and care will draw inspiration from this accessible and supportive text.

Improving Your Reflective Practice through Stories of Practitioner Research shows how research has informed and created effective and valuable reflective practice in early years education, and offers depth to the arguments for a research-orientated stance to this vital field of study.

This thought-provoking text explores and documents a variety of small-scale practitioner research projects from the home and early years settings. The stories are centred around real life for children, families and workers and offer practical ideas and support for early years students around the world. They engage in some of the most current debates in early childhood education today, such as:

Throughout this book, the ‘Pen Green’ attitude to practitioner research is actively encouraged. This involves fostering curiosity, being open to the views of others, questioning the ‘taken for granted’, making the implicit explicit and reflecting on one’s daily work. Any practitioner research in early years education and care will draw inspiration from this accessible and supportive text.

This inspiring book shows how Early Years staff can support the best possible practice for children under three and their families whilst making use of the limited funding available. Promoting the idea of infants as powerful learners, the authors focus on 0-3 years as the vital first phase of education and care, which can require a very specific pedagogical approach. They discuss the principles that underpin the practice of working with the youngest children, the critical nature of highly effective pedagogical practice and the important role of family workers in building relationships with parents and the extended family.

Working with Children Aged 0–3 and Their Families explores the challenges and responsibilities of working with young children and communicates the ‘Pen Green approach’. Pen Green has become a focal point for Early Years professionals due to its outstanding Early Years provision. The innovative approach chronicled in this book will encourage practitioners to research their own practice and use the outcomes to create a radical, unique and yet highly effective provision for infants, toddlers and their families.

The book will be of interest to Early Years professionals, foundation and undergraduate students, and early childhood educators.

This inspiring book shows how Early Years staff can support the best possible practice for children under three and their families whilst making use of the limited funding available. Promoting the idea of infants as powerful learners, the authors focus on 0-3 years as the vital first phase of education and care, which can require a very specific pedagogical approach. They discuss the principles that underpin the practice of working with the youngest children, the critical nature of highly effective pedagogical practice and the important role of family workers in building relationships with parents and the extended family.

Working with Children Aged 0–3 and Their Families explores the challenges and responsibilities of working with young children and communicates the ‘Pen Green approach’. Pen Green has become a focal point for Early Years professionals due to its outstanding Early Years provision. The innovative approach chronicled in this book will encourage practitioners to research their own practice and use the outcomes to create a radical, unique and yet highly effective provision for infants, toddlers and their families.

The book will be of interest to Early Years professionals, foundation and undergraduate students, and early childhood educators.

Based on research carried out alongside children, parents, workers and co-researchers at the world-famous Pen Green Nursery, and using case studies of a small number of individual children, the author shows new links between cognition and affect. The book includes a brief summary of a method of Child Study, using video and reflections on video sequences.

This book will be of interest to students and practitioners on Early Childhood undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as well as those taking modules on schema theory.