Invaluable for anyone looking to understand young children's thinking, this essential textbook helpfully combines introductions to theories about thinking with observations from real-life practice. The book explores underlying theories behind topics such as:

• the relationship between nature and nuture
• models of cognitive development, with ideas from key thinkers such as Piaget, Vygotsky and Bruner
• basic neuroscience and its application to early childhood
• the social, emotional and cultural context of children's development
• emotional intelligence
• language and thought, including the use of motherese and children's talk in pretend play
• whether children can think philosophically.

The author accompanies every topic with observations from the classroom, supported by her own critical analysis linking theory to practice throughout.