still learning...

As a part of my working week as the 'principal' of Full o'Beans Preschool (a title given to me by more than a few of our preschoolers in the last 4 years) I have begun giving myself permission to spend some time reading at work. I am an avid reader, generally, but have tended to use my leisure time to enjoy fiction at home - lots of escapist fiction! Naturally, novels with half-clad Scots on the cover are not suitable reading material for the office, so I have been on the lookout for much better choices, more professional choices! In my search, I did find a few books that were interesting, not too hard to read, and provided some refreshing perspectives on little people! If you are at all interested in a bit of dry reading... but valuable dry reading in terms of learning more about how your children think, learn and develop, you might consider one of the following:

'The Importance of Being Little - What Preschoolers Really Need From Grown-ups' by Erika Christakis. 
This one is the book I almost wish I'd written, in that it includes a lot of practical, sensible perspectives on children under 5. It is sometimes easy to read and anecdotal in style, and sometimes includes data and research information that shares a broad understanding of how little people grow, how well-intentioned adults sometimes miss the mark and over think, or under think, what is truly essential during the early years of a child's life, and how those of us who love and care for children can help support them as they grow towards later childhood and onwards.

'Rest, Play, Grow - Making Sense of Preschoolers (or anyone who acts like one) by Deborah MacNamara PhD. 
At a workshop earlier this year, I was fortunate to be able to attend a presentation by Dr. MacNamara, where she was able to outline and bring to life the work that she documents in her book. The book is also easy to get into, and not too technical (aka 'dull') as it outlines developmental stages in young children, how action and behaviour are impacted by development, and also how adults too are still developing after they become parents! 

Happy summer reading...It's back to the Scots for me!