Children's Minds - Softcover

Donaldson, Margaret

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0006352871 ISBN 13: 9780006352877

Publisher: Fontana Press, 1978

Synopsis

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.

About this title

Review:

‘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

From the Back Cover:

First published in 1978, 'Children’s Minds' has become a classic inquire into the nature of human thought. Margaret Donaldson shows how thought and language originally depend upon the interpersonal contexts within which they develop, and how, given the support of such contexts, children are already skilled thinkers and language users by the time they come to school.

However, when school begins, success depends on the development of new modes of thinking. Margaret Donaldson shows what these entail and analyses the difficulties which they present. She claims that we have not fully understood the nature of these difficulties and so have not known how best to help children to deal with them. She suggests a range of strategies that can be used, arguing that the way in which reading is taught is even more important than we have supposed.

This book is essential reading for all who are interested in the development of the human mind.

"One of the most powerful, most wisely balanced and best informed books on the development of the child's mind to have appeared in twenty years. Its implications for education are enormous."
JEROME BRUNER

"A book of great, and very general significance... a classic."
JACK TIZARD

About this edition

• Publisher: Fontana Press
• Publication date: 1978
• ISBN 10: 0006352871
• ISBN 13: 9780006352877
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 4
• Number of pages: 160