This book describes how to put brain-based theory into practice in the foundation stage. In collaboration with the well-known early years consultant Sally Featherstone, Nicola Call explains the most up-to-date research that lies behind brain-based learning theory, along with practical advice to help practitioners from all types of settings to put the theory into practice.

The practical brain-based techniques described in this book include:

The Thinking Child draws upon a vast wealth of research and publications to give in-depth information about the brain and how it functions. It addresses many issues of interest to practitioners, such as how to maximise learning through play, how to define 'intelligence', the current thinking about why some children develop disorders such as ADHD, and how to help children to develop emotional intelligence.

Alongside the theory, the book gives clear and practical guidance for busy practitioners who want suggestions of ways to implement brain-based techniques. Numerous practical ideas are given to suggest where to start, whilst 'Mini-Brainy' characters illustrate key points throughout the text. Additionally, a number of informative, and often amusing, snippets of information about the brain and learning are given in boxes called 'Fascinating Facts'. Examples from a wide variety of settings give an overview of how brain-based techniques can be used to enrich the learning experience of all young children - which is described in the book as a 'learning adventure'.

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The Thinking Child Resources book is carefully structured to help practitioners build upon the theoretical and practical advice given in The Thinking Child. Nicola Call and Sally Featherstone combine their knowledge and experience to give a wealth of practical suggestions about how to implement brain-based learning techniques in early years settings.

This is a wire bound book with photocopiable resources. Both books follow the same structure, and clear references in the resource book direct readers to the appropriate pages of The Thinking Child. This book gives a wide range of additional techniques and activities, such as how to engage the multiple intelligences, how to open productive dialogue with young children, how to select and use music, and strategies for increasing children's time on task. It lists more than a thousand ideas on how to use brain-based learning techniques in the foundation stage, including:

Case studies, taken from a wide variety of settings, give an insight into how brain-based techniques can be used to enrich the learning experience of young children, while the four fictitious children featured in The Thinking Child are again used to represent some of the best early years practice.

This book can either be used independently or as a companion to The Thinking Child.

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