Chasing Ideas

In Chasing Ideas Christine has compiled a treasure trove of techniques and tips to help parents encourage children's curiosity about the world. It urges parents and teachers to discover how discussing ideas with their children can be an enjoyable and creative activity for everyone.

Full of anecdotes, witty asides and attractive illustrations, the book is a guide through the process of feeling the imagination, curiosity and creativity of the children we come into contact with, enabling them to think for themselves.'

- Home and Family

'Chasing Ideas is written by a Mother of four and a Grandmother of six and presents ideas to encourage children to enter into lively discussions and to help encourage them to explore ideas, think, judge, make decisions and communicate effectively, as well as to develop these skills into adulthood. It offers advice, techniques and activities to help children free their imagination, curiosity and creativity by encouraging them to chase ideas and think for themselves; fall in love with ideas so they love to learn, learn to learn and have fun learning; how to unlock their minds and their potential to become ingenious thinkers. It also suggests using the 'Handy Thinking' tools - practical thinking skills that are fun and easy to remember and use. There are parts of this book, which will already be like second nature to some, but it offers some interesting ideas for discussion topics you might not have considered. It also might be of value to those de-schooling their children, by providing ideas to help their children free their minds and chase their ideas!'

- Education Otherwise

'Intended for parents and teachers, this book aims to help children be better thinkers and to help adults enjoy exploring ideas with children. It is a very practical, accessible book full of projects and exercises to encourage children to notice more and reflect on what they have noticed in a way that engages their imagination and really gets them thinking.'

- Learning Support

'Chasing Ideas encourages children aged three to 15 to discover their imagination. It has a collection of activities that will help give children confidence in their own ideas. There are also techniques and tips to help children make their own judgements and communicate effectively. The author draws upon her own experience with her children and grandchildren and has also presented 4,000 workshps on teaching thinking skills to schoolchildren.'

- Children Now

'The most important thing parents can do for their children is to encourage them to think. Children really enjoy thinking and this book builds on that enjoyment. To have confidence in one's own thinking is the foundation for a happy and successful life.'

- Edward de Bono

Christine Durham shows how to help children be better, brighter thinkers and helps parents and teachers discover the joys of discussing ideas with children. Chasing Ideas shows parents of children aged 3 to 15 how to encourage them to explore ideas, think, judge, make decisions and communicate effectively and to develop these important life skills to take into adulthood. The author's treasure trove of techniques, tips and activities will help children:

let their imagination and natural curiosity reign free and find out about why things happen, how things are and how they might be

fall in love with ideas so that they see and understand more, and think creatively

unlock their minds and their potential to become ingenious thinkers, and

open up issues and explore ideas by using the `Handy Thinking' tools - practical thinking skills that are fun and easy to remember.

Chasing Ideas will help parents and teachers enrich, broaden and deepen their relationships with children; expand their children's horizons; explore issues, ideas and understanding with children in a delightful way. It will also empower children, and enhance their self-confidence and self-esteem.