Awakening children's minds - Laura E Berk

Parents and educators today face a swirl of conflicting theories on child development. Rote learning, for the most part rejected in the 1960s, is once again in favour with "back to basics" learning. Child development theorist Piaget's individualistic view of child as independent discoverer, a notion popular through the 1970s and 1980s, still has a stronghold in popular parenting literature. To confuse matters even further, authors like Harris (author of the best-selling "The Nurture Assumption") portray parents as minor players in their own child's development.;Laura E. Berk sifts through the chaos of competing child development theories and provides practical guidance for creating optimal learning environments for children. Since the 1980s, child development has been reshaped by the theories, like those of Russian development psychologist, Lev Vygotsky, in which a child's social and psychological words are underscored. Berk clarifies and illustrates these highly respected - yet often difficult to understand - theories, depicting the child in a social context and helping readers understand the cognitive development of children.;Using accessible and meaningful case studies the book provides clear roles for parents and teachers, offers concrete suggestions for creating and evaluating quality educational environments - at home, in child care, in pre-school, and in primary school - and addresses the unique challenges of helping children with special needs.;Berk also dispels the disheartening notion that parents' impact is minimal compared to that of peers, arguing that parents are vital in guiding and enhancing their child's intellectual and emotional development. Berk argues that parents' presence in their children's day-to-day lives is vital for providing effective and long-lasting guidance, challenging the widespread notion that small doses of "quality time" are sufficient for assisting children through critical phases of their development.