Critical Skills in the Early Years BK+CD Pack

(Paperback, NIPPOD)

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Description

The benefits of the highly acclaimed Critical Skills Programme across all Key Stages are now widely appreciated - but what about the Foundation Stage Is it possible that three and four year olds can:
- work together to solve problems
- be good listeners
- make decisions with their peers
- take responsibility for their learning environment
- reflect on the learning process to enhance their learning in the future

Based on her pioneering work in the Early Years, Vicki Charlesworth demonstrates that the answer to all these questions is a resounding Yes!' Using the powerful principles of Critical Skills Programme, she outlines proven strategies for creating a young learning community in which children can feel confident and secure, and identify how to take their learning forward. The book provides a wealth of practical ideas on introducing problem-based learning, getting children working collaboratively and using formative assessment as a teaching and learning tool. All the ideas are underpinned by a detailed analysis of the way the skills and dispositions can be linked to existing practice. Also included are helpful child-speak scripts that can be used by early years practitioners as they begin to coach children in the skills. Teachers' resources to accompany this book are available online.

Reviews

'Our evaluation of the programme in Jersey...shows that there is high esteem for it from both pupils and teachers...I hope this book, whose author has been involved in that island-wide collaboration, will have a significant impact on schools generally.' Ted Wragg, Professor of Education, University of Exeter -- Ted Wragg
Readers will find much of interest in this book to facilitate their understanding of how to support young children to become reflective learners, aware of their own thinking and reasoning processes. The book, and its supporting website, is designed to be used systematically to introduce a complete critical thinking skills programme in an early years setting. ... There is much valuable and interesting material in this book which will help practitioners to reflect on how best to manage their settings to support young children's play and exploration, active learning and creativity and critical thinking. Early Years Update. April 2010

Author Bio

Vicki Charlesworth directed the development and implementation of the Critical Skills Programme at Mont Nicolle Primary School in Jersey, UK. She is now the Deputy Headteacher at St. Luke's Primary School and a trainer for Critical Skills. She is the author of Helping Young Children to Ask Questions.