Enthusiastic and engaged learners: approaches to learning in the early childhood classroom

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Introduction

What We Know About Approaches to Learning

Why a Book on Approaches to Learning? Why Now?

Using This Book

Getting Started

Part I. Setting the Stage for Action: Four Questions to Consider

1. What Are Positive Approaches to Learning?

The Concept of Approaches to Learning-Some Historical Background

Comparing Approaches to Learning with Other Umbrella Terms

Steps Toward a Concept of Young Children's Approaches to Learning

Enthusiasm and Engagement: Two Primary Dimensions of Positive Approaches to Learning

Using This Framework

Looking Back and Looking Forward

2. Why Do Positive Approaches to Learning Matter?

Enthusiasm and Engagement Have Intrinsic Value

Enthusiasm and Engagement Form a Foundation

Why Would You Expect Academic and Social Benefits?

Looking Back and Looking Forward

3. How Do Children Develop Positive Approaches to Learning?

What Influences Children's Approaches to Learning? An Ecological Perspective

Individual Differences in Children's Characteristics

Approaches to Learning Grow Up: The Influence of Development

Family Influences

The Influence of School

Cultural Influences

Political and Policy Influences

Looking Back and Looking Forward

4. What Undermines Children's Positive Approaches to Learning?

Becoming Discouraged and Disengaged-The Downward Spiral

What May Contribute to Children's Negative Approaches to Learning?

Beyond Symptoms to Underlying Causes

Impact on the Most Vulnerable Children

Looking Back and Looking Forward

Part II. Transforming Risks into Opportunities: Evidence-Based Tools to Support Positive Approaches to Learning

5. Tools to Build Closer Relationships with All Children

Tool 1. Connections with Children

Tool 2. Community-Where Children Are Accepted, Acknowledged, and Appreciated

Critical Times When Relationships Can Make the Difference

Looking Back and Looking Forward

6. Tools to Find and Use More Effective Curriculum

Why Do We Care About Curriculum?

Tool 1. Analysis of Curriculum Models

Tool 2. Adaptations to Curriculum

Tool 3. Curriculum Targeted to Approaches to Learning

Looking Back and Looking Forward

7. Tools to Teach in Ways That Promote Positive Approaches to Learning

Tool 1. Effective Environments

Tool 2. Specific Teaching Practices

When More Intentional Strategies May Be Needed

Looking Back and Looking Forward

8. Tools to Assess Children's Approaches to Learning

Good Early Childhood Assessment: A Reminder of Basic Principles

Tool 1. Familiar Assessments Used in Some New Ways

Tool 2. Specialized Assessments of Approaches to Learning

Tool 3. A Plan to Use the Results

Reducing the Risks and Maximizing the Potential of Assessing Children's Approaches to Learning

Looking Back and Looking Forward

9. Tools That Tap the Power of Families

Tool 1. Relationships with Families

Tool 2. Approaches-to-Learning Conversations with Families

Tool 3. Practical Ideas to Share with Families

Looking Back and Looking Forward

10. Tools to Create Change

Tool 1. A Theory of Change and a Logic Model to Get There

Tool 2. Relevant, Persuasive Research

Tool 3. New Approaches to Professional Development

Tool 4. Effective Advocacy

Tool 5. Strategies to Implement Knowledge About Approaches to Learning

Looking Back and Looking Forward: Concluding Thoughts

Appendix A. Examples of Developmental Changes in Children's Approaches to Learning

Appendix B. Action Planning Form

References

Index

About the Author