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What If Everybody Understood Child Development? - Book Cover Look Inside
Bestseller!

What If Everybody Understood Child Development?

Straight Talk About Bettering Education and Children's Lives
By: Rae Pica
Sure to inspire discussion, these 29 thought-provoking essays take an unflinching look at controversial topics including the Common Core, the self-esteem movement, and standardized testing.

Full description


What If Everybody Understood Child Development? - Book Cover Look Inside
Product Details
  • Grade Level: PreK-12
  • ISBN: 9781483381848
  • Published By: Corwin
  • Year: 2015
  • Page Count: 160
  • Publication date: April 06, 2015
Price: $28.95
Volume Discounts applied in Shopping Cart

Review Copies

Review copies may be requested by individuals planning to purchase 10 or more copies for a team or considering a book for adoption in a higher ed course. To request a review copy, contact sales@corwin.com.

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Description

Description

Understand the connection between how kids grow and how they learn

Rae Pica knows what she’s talking about. With over 35 years in the field of education, she’s realized that what’s missing from our approach to schooling is an understanding of the connection between how children develop and how they learn. In this collection, Pica keeps children front and center as she provides thought-provoking commentary and actionable insights on topics such as the Common Core, the self-esteem movement, and standardized testing. You’ll find

  • 29 short essays on topics critical to best practice in child development and education
  • Opinions of experts supported by research and anecdotal evidence
  • Real-life stories shared by teachers and parents
  • References to related articles and interviews with experts

With its unflinching look at well-meaning initiatives that may be holding students back, this pocket-sized powerhouse of educational philosophy is sure to inspire discussion about our schools.

View the press release detailing Rae Pica's book as #1 on Amazon here!

Check out a review by Susan Ochshorn, Founder and Principal of ECE Policy Work here!

"What a pleasure to read common sense wisdom about what young children need!"
Diane Ravitch, Research Professor of Education
New York University

"This amazing book does far more than chase down the myths about how to ensure that children are successful. If offers real, research-backed practical strategies every teacher and parent can use. It belongs on every desk for quick and handy use!"
Eric Jensen, Director
Jensen Learning, Maunaloa, HI

"Rae Pica has a deep understanding of childhood development and she has delved into every facet of it so that educators, parents, and policymakers will come to that understanding, too. This book needs to not just be on everyone’s shelves, but open in everyone’s hands."
Peter DeWitt, Author/Consultant and Former K-5 Principal

Key features

  • 29 essays based on the author’s 34 years as an education consultant, including 8 previously published in Huffington Post.
  • Supported by research, anecdotal evidence, stories shared by teachers and parents, and the views of experts in the field.
  • Will include an annotated bibliography, citing books, articles, and radio interviews supporting the views presented in the essays.
  • Might provoke conversation and controversy since the author's viewpoint is unflinching, making it ideal for social media
Author(s)

Author(s)

Rae Pica photo

Rae Pica

Rae Pica has been an education consultant (www.raepica.com) specializing in the education and development of the whole child since 1980. A former adjunct instructor with the University of New Hampshire, she is the author of 21 books, including the text Experiences in Movement and Music, in its 5th edition, and What If Everybody Understood Child Development?: Straight Talk About Bettering Education and Children’s LIves. Rae is known for her lively and informative keynotes and trainings and has shared her expertise with such groups as the Sesame Street Research Department, the Head Start Bureau, Centers for Disease Control, the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, Nickelodeon’s Blue’s Clues, Gymboree, Nike, and state health departments throughout the country. Rae is a regular blogger and YouTube creator and the author of online courses for early childhood professionals.



Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Introduction

Part I. Understanding Children

1. All Children Are Not the Same

2. The Earlier the Better?

3. The Power of Joy

4. Bubble Wrapping Not Required

5. When Did a Hug Become a Bad Thing?

6. Teaching Girls They’re More Than a Pretty Face

7. Doing Away With the “Baby Stuff”

8. “But Competition Is Human Nature”

9. Terrorist Tots?

Part II. Understanding the Mind/Body Connection

10. The Myth of the Brain/Body Dichotomy

11. Why Does Sitting Still Equal Learning?

12. In Defense of Active Learning

13. “Play” Is Not a Four-Letter Word

14. The Body Matters, Too

15. Reading, Writing, ’Rithmetic . . . and Recess

16. Why Kids Need “Gym”

Part III. Understanding Developmentally Appropriate Practice

17. In Defense of Authentic Learning

18. Who Should Lead the Learning?

19. The Trouble With Testing

20. Failure Is an Option

21. Should We Teach Handwriting in the Digital Age?

22. Just Say “No” to Keyboarding in Kindergarten

23. iPads or Play-Doh?

24. The Homework Debate

25. In Defense of the Arts

26. No More “Good Job!”

27. Bribes and Threats Work, But . . .

28. Time to Give Time-Out a Time-Out

29. “You’re Outta Here!”

Reviews

Reviews

Quote by Diane Ravitch, Research Professor of Education, New York University: "What a pleasure to read common sense wisdom about what young children need!"
"What a pleasure to read common sense wisdom about what young children need!"
Diane Ravitch, Research Professor of Education
New York University
Quote by Eric Jensen, Director, Jensen Learning, Maunaloa, HI: "This is an amazing book. It does far more than chase down the myths about how to ensure that children are successful. If offers real, research-backed practical strategies every teacher and parent can use quickly and easily. This belongs on every desk for quick and handy use!"
"This is an amazing book. It does far more than chase down the myths about how to ensure that children are successful. If offers real, research-backed practical strategies every teacher and parent can use quickly and easily. This belongs on every desk for quick and handy use!"
Eric Jensen, Director
Jensen Learning, Maunaloa, HI
Quote by Lyneille Meza, Coordinator of Data and Assessment, Denton ISD: "This book is a must read for anyone who is part of the current education system. It is time to think about what we are doing to the youth who are the new digital generation era and to ensure we are teaching them in ways that are the most developmentally appropriate."
"This book is a must read for anyone who is part of the current education system. It is time to think about what we are doing to the youth who are the new digital generation era and to ensure we are teaching them in ways that are the most developmentally appropriate."
Lyneille Meza, Coordinator of Data and Assessment
Denton ISD
Quote by Leonard J. Villanueva, Teacher, Palisades Elementary School: "This is a great read. Its social media flavor is inviting and inspiring. The issues presented echo teacher discussions made around the water fountain. [Rae Pica’s] expertise and evidence based on research will move your hair-pulling complaints to policy-changing action."
"This is a great read. Its social media flavor is inviting and inspiring. The issues presented echo teacher discussions made around the water fountain. [Rae Pica’s] expertise and evidence based on research will move your hair-pulling complaints to policy-changing action."
Leonard J. Villanueva, Teacher
Palisades Elementary School
Quote by Katrina L. Ladopoulos, Teacher, Crestwood Elementary School: "This book offers provocative ideas for the new educator, the experienced teacher, and administrators alike. Let’s use what we know about child development to start remaking our schools to meet the needs of all students. This book provides a starting point."
"This book offers provocative ideas for the new educator, the experienced teacher, and administrators alike. Let’s use what we know about child development to start remaking our schools to meet the needs of all students. This book provides a starting point."
Katrina L. Ladopoulos, Teacher
Crestwood Elementary School
Quote by Peter DeWitt, Author/Consultant, Former K-5 Principal, Finding Common Ground Blog – Education Week:

"Rae Pica has a deep understanding of childhood development and she has delved into every facet of it so that educators, parents, and policymakers will come to that understanding, too. What If Everybody Understood Childhood Development? includes 29 critically important chapters that focus on every single important issue we don’t always take enough time to talk about. This book needs to not just be on everyone’s shelves, but open in everyone’s hands."

"Rae Pica has a deep understanding of childhood development and she has delved into every facet of it so that educators, parents, and policymakers will come to that understanding, too. What If Everybody Understood Childhood Development? includes 29 critically important chapters that focus on every single important issue we don’t always take enough time to talk about. This book needs to not just be on everyone’s shelves, but open in everyone’s hands."

Peter DeWitt, Author/Consultant
Former K-5 Principal, Finding Common Ground Blog – Education Week
Quote by Joan Almon, Co-founder, Alliance for Childhood: "Our understanding of young children has become quite distorted, as have our policies and practices. It's time to reorient our views and Rae Pica’s What If Everybody Understood Child Development? gives clear examples of the problems and of the solutions. To her children are remarkable human beings -- active, caring, and creative. They are more than an investment in the future. They are of immense value here and now."
"Our understanding of young children has become quite distorted, as have our policies and practices. It's time to reorient our views and Rae Pica’s What If Everybody Understood Child Development? gives clear examples of the problems and of the solutions. To her children are remarkable human beings -- active, caring, and creative. They are more than an investment in the future. They are of immense value here and now."
Joan Almon, Co-founder
Alliance for Childhood
Quote by Nancy Carlsson-Paige, Professor Emerita, Lesley University, Cambridge, Massachusetts:

"Rae Pica understands children. With her wisdom and insight, she helps us know how to do right by kids in a world full of conflicting pressures. Thank you, Rae, for this valuable book. We need it now more than ever!"

"Rae Pica understands children. With her wisdom and insight, she helps us know how to do right by kids in a world full of conflicting pressures. Thank you, Rae, for this valuable book. We need it now more than ever!"

Nancy Carlsson-Paige, Professor Emerita
Lesley University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Quote by Susan Ochshorn, Founder and Principal, ECE PolicyWorks:

Pica’s folksy, straight talk about the big and small, but still contentious, issues in education today couldn’t be more refreshing. Some of the subjects are among the most vexing of our time, but they’re served up with a wicked wit, not to mention a deep respect for developmental science, that makes them easily digestible.

Pica’s folksy, straight talk about the big and small, but still contentious, issues in education today couldn’t be more refreshing. Some of the subjects are among the most vexing of our time, but they’re served up with a wicked wit, not to mention a deep respect for developmental science, that makes them easily digestible.

Susan Ochshorn, Founder and Principal
ECE PolicyWorks
Quote by Jen Robinson, Book Reviewer and Joyful Learning Advocate, Jen Robinson's Book Page: "What If Everybody Understood Child Development? would be a great book to give to any parent or teacher you know who is uneasy about aspects of our current educational system (excessive testing, lack of play-based or individualized learning, etc.) but having difficulty articulating the problems."
(http://jkrbooks.typepad.com/blog/2016/04/what-if-everyone-understood-child-development-rae-pica.html
"What If Everybody Understood Child Development? would be a great book to give to any parent or teacher you know who is uneasy about aspects of our current educational system (excessive testing, lack of play-based or individualized learning, etc.) but having difficulty articulating the problems."
(http://jkrbooks.typepad.com/blog/2016/04/what-if-everyone-understood-child-development-rae-pica.html
Jen Robinson, Book Reviewer and Joyful Learning Advocate
Jen Robinson's Book Page

    Other Titles in: Early Childhood Education | Brain-Friendly Teaching & Learning

    Price: $28.95
    Volume Discounts applied in Shopping Cart

    Review Copies

    Review copies may be requested by individuals planning to purchase 10 or more copies for a team or considering a book for adoption in a higher ed course. To request a review copy, contact sales@corwin.com.

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