Children's Minds
Published on 30. May 1986
Book
Paperback/Softback
160 pages
978-0-00-686122-5 (ISBN)
Description
Margaret Donaldson's seminal work on child development, first published in 1978, has become a classic inquiry into the nature of human thought.
In this concise and brilliantly readable book, Margaret Donaldson shows that context is key when it comes to the development of language and thought, and how the right support can ensure children are skilled in these areas before they even start school. She revisits earlier theories of child development, notably those of Jean Piaget, to expose flaws in the accepted wisdom on child psychology and to suggest a range of new strategies to help children combat difficulties.
As wise and perceptive today as it was when it first appeared, Margaret Donaldson's bestselling work is essential reading for anyone interested in child development and child psychology.
In this concise and brilliantly readable book, Margaret Donaldson shows that context is key when it comes to the development of language and thought, and how the right support can ensure children are skilled in these areas before they even start school. She revisits earlier theories of child development, notably those of Jean Piaget, to expose flaws in the accepted wisdom on child psychology and to suggest a range of new strategies to help children combat difficulties.
As wise and perceptive today as it was when it first appeared, Margaret Donaldson's bestselling work is essential reading for anyone interested in child development and child psychology.
Reviews / Votes
'One of the most powerful, most wisely balanced and best informed books on the development of the child's mind...Its implications for education are enormous.' Jerome Bruner'A book of great, and very general significance...a classic.' Jack Tizard
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Adult education
Product notice
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
130 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-00-686122-5 (9780006861225)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Margaret Donaldson was educated at the University of Edinburgh, where she later continued as a teacher and became Professor of Developmental Psychology. Her main research interest has always been in the study of human thought and language. At an early stage in her career she spent some time at Piaget's research institute in Geneva and was much influenced by the experience, although she later came to question some important aspects of Piagetian theory. She is the author of 'A Study of Children's Thinking' and 'Human Minds', and the co-editor of a book of readings entitled 'Early Childhood Development and Education'.
Content
The school experience; the ability to "Decentre"; learning language; failing to reason or failing to understand?; what is and must be; what is said and what is meant; disembedded through social values; why children find school learning difficult; what the school can do; the desire to learn; the shape of minds to come.