Download or read book EBOOK Beginning to Play written by Ruth Forbes and published by McGraw-Hill Education (UK). This book was released on 2004-08-16 with total page 158 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "I hope this book will inspire early years practitioners, lecturers and trainers to stop and think in the hustle and bustle of daily practice, to take a fresh look at the play of these very young children. This book does not claim to have all the answers but seeks to challenge practitioners to observe closely and respond to babies as they begin to play."Elinor Goldschmied, author of People under Three: Young Children in Day Care This book focuses on the need to equip practitioners to meet the play needs of children in today’s early years settings. With babies and very young children increasingly being cared for in out-of-home care settings, it is essential for early years practitioners to be responsive and reflective to ensure that these young children’s needs are met in an appropriate way. Beginning to Play explores the young child’s right to a high quality, multi-sensory play environment where play really can begin. It builds on Goldschmied’s concept of Treasure Basket play, which involves a wide variety of everyday objects gathered together to stimulate all five senses of babies and young children. The book features detailed observations of babies beginning to play at and beyond the treasure basket. These observations support readers in offering rich play materials and experiences. Providing valuable insights and practical support, this reader-friendly book: Encourages practitioners to reflect on and review their own current practice. Supports readers in recognising and responding to babies’ signals and communication Emphasises the need for emotional well-being to enable babies and young children to begin to play and examines the effects of non-responsive care on babies and young children Beginning to Play is essential reading for practitioners working with children from birth to three, students on Early Childhood Studies courses, and other readers who are eager to increase their knowledge about children from birth to three.
Download or read book Learning to Play written by Aske Plaat and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2020-12-23 with total page 330 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this textbook the author takes as inspiration recent breakthroughs in game playing to explain how and why deep reinforcement learning works. In particular he shows why two-person games of tactics and strategy fascinate scientists, programmers, and game enthusiasts and unite them in a common goal: to create artificial intelligence (AI). After an introduction to the core concepts, environment, and communities of intelligence and games, the book is organized into chapters on reinforcement learning, heuristic planning, adaptive sampling, function approximation, and self-play. The author takes a hands-on approach throughout, with Python code examples and exercises that help the reader understand how AI learns to play. He also supports the main text with detailed pointers to online machine learning frameworks, technical details for AlphaGo, notes on how to play and program Go and chess, and a comprehensive bibliography. The content is class-tested and suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses on artificial intelligence and games. It's also appropriate for self-study by professionals engaged with applications of machine learning and with games development. Finally it's valuable for any reader engaged with the philosophical implications of artificial and general intelligence, games represent a modern Turing test of the power and limitations of AI.
Download or read book Piano Book for Adult Beginners written by Damon Ferrante and published by . This book was released on 2017-07-23 with total page 122 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn how to read music, play with both hands at the same time, play chords and scales, as well as many more exciting piano techniques!.
Download or read book Lisa Murphy on Play written by Lisa Murphy and published by Redleaf Press. This book was released on 2016-05-16 with total page 192 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Discover why playing is school readiness with this updated guide. Timely research and new stories highlight how play is vital to the social, physical, cognitive, and spiritual development of children. Learn the seven meaningful experiences we should provide children with every day and why they are so important.
Download or read book Play Learn Ebook Bundle written by Penny Warner and published by Da Capo Press. This book was released on 2015-03-10 with total page 368 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Most Complete Book of Games and Learning Activities for Babies & Preschoolers! Child development expert Penny Warner offers over 300 illustrated ideas for games and activities designed to stimulate your child's learning and development. For each game and activity, The Play & Learn Bundle includes: recommended ages, a list of the skills that your child learns through play, a detailed list of easy-to-find materials, step-by-step instruction, clear illustrations, variations for added fun and enhanced learning, and safety tips and other helpful hints. The Baby and Preschooler Play & Learn Bundle is designed to help children reach their full potential and have a good time along the way. It is a quick and easy reference guide full of new ideas for busy parents.
Download or read book How to Play Ukulele written by Dan Scanlan and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2018-06-05 with total page 176 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn to play the ukulele with this beginner’s guide that features information about basic techniques, tools, and music knowledge. What do George Clooney, Zooey Deschanel, Ryan Gosling and James Franco all have in common? Answer: they all play the ukulele and now, with this easy step-by-step guide, you can too! With just this book and your ukulele in hand, you’ll learn basic music skills, how to care for your instrument, and how to play some simple tunes. Whether you’re looking to impress your friends with spontaneous singalongs, or just want to strum solo, How to Play Ukulele is the perfect entryway to the wonderful world of ukulele.
Download or read book EBOOK Starting from the Child Teaching and Learning in the Foundation Stage written by Julie Fisher and published by McGraw-Hill Education (UK). This book was released on 2013-03-16 with total page 266 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Starting from the Child supports early years practitioners to be advocates for young children and their learning needs. In the fourth edition of this highly influential and inspirational book, Julie Fisher outlines the important theories and research which should underpin best early years practice. She takes a robust and principled stand against downward pressure to formalise young children’s learning too soon, and offers practical and meaningful ways to develop high quality learning and teaching in the early years. Starting from the Child challenges all early years practitioners to consider: How to build on children’s innate desire to learn and their competence and autonomy as effective early learners How to plan environments indoors and out that make learning irresistible How to plan for high quality child-initiated learning to take place seamlessly alongside learning that is adult-initiated The role of the adult in supporting and extending young children’s learning How daily observation of children informs and underpins planning for their individual and unique learning needs Revised and updated throughout, this fourth edition includes the latest research on early brain development and reference to recent government initiatives including the revised Early Years Foundation Stage. Starting from the Child is essential reading, not only for early years practitioners, but for all those who manage and make decisions about early learning. “Julie draws on her extensive work with practitioners to present the everyday realities and complexities of their practice, and to sound welcome notes of caution about the ways in which policy frameworks are used... The book also reflects deeply held convictions about the moral and ethical responsibilities we have to teach young children in ways that respect their extraordinary enthusiasm for learning.” Professor Elizabeth Wood, University of Sheffield, UK “The title says it all. Julie takes the reader by the hand and says ‘Look and listen, give these children your full and respectful attention and they will teach you how to be with them.’ All the practical ideas in the book support practitioners in using their skills and knowledge to recognise early childhood as valuable in its own right - to be relished and enjoyed, not to be rushed through or seen merely as preparation for the next stage.” Helen Moylett, Early Years Consultant and writer “Julie Fisher’s work has been a staple of Early Childhood Education since the first edition of Starting from the Child in 1996. Her fourth edition does not disappoint, and is a welcome development of her thinking... This is a book for students, teachers and other early years workers seeking to find their way through the conflicting needs of a rapidly changing area of work.” Nick Swarbrick, Programme Lead for the Undergraduate Modular Programme in the School of Education, Oxford Brookes University, UK
Download or read book EBOOK Play and Playwork 101 Stories of Children Playing written by Fraser Brown and published by McGraw-Hill Education (UK). This book was released on 2014-10-16 with total page 202 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Children like to play. They get all sorts of benefits from playing. They get the most benefit from play when they are in control of what they are doing. Yet there are lots of circumstances today that mean children are not able to control their own play and that's where playwork comes in, where the role of the playworker is to create environments that enable children to take control of their playing. This book aims to explore the similarities, differences and tensions that exist between play and playwork including appropriate definitions and the conflict around the role of the adult. Fraser Brown proposes a play to playwork continuum, where playing can be considered a 'developmental and evolutionary' activity and playwork a 'compensatory' activity. Helpfully structured around the aspects considered by the author as most important for playwork, this book uses 101 fascinating stories of children playing to illuminate a range of play and playwork theories. The rich array of powerful stories - drawn from the casebooks of eminent and experienced playworkers - speak for themselves whilst at the same time triggering theoretical explorations that are interwoven with the stories in each chapter. Mesmerizing, absorbing and original, this is essential reading for playwork students and practitioners, as well as for students and practitioners of early years, childhood, children's health and wellbeing, and children’s social care.
Download or read book EBOOK A Beginning Teacher s Guide to Special Educational Needs written by Janice Wearmouth and published by McGraw-Hill Education (UK). This book was released on 2008-12-16 with total page 250 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "This is a refreshing and comprehensive book providing an excellent introduction to theory and practice in SEN. It will be much in demand and appreciated by all teachers who are attempting to tackle the issues and questions that can accompany the desire to meet the learning needs of all children." Dr. Gavin Reid, Educational Consultant, Red Rose School, UK; Centre for Child Evaluation and Teaching, Kuwait; REACH Learning Center, Canada. As a trainee or newly qualified teacher, being faced with students labelled as having 'special educational needs' can be a daunting prospect. The whole area of SEN and 'inclusion' is often shrouded with uncertainty about what it means, either in theory or in practice, and what it entails. This guide addresses these issues in a straightforward, supportive and practical way, focusing on the needs of the beginning teacher. Using case studies, activities and resources, it will equip you with the skills and knowledge to support groups of pupils with SEN in different settings and phases. Key features include: Vignettes to illustrate the kinds of challenges you are likely to face in ensuring that all students can learn effectively in their classrooms Clarification of the legal responsibilities of all teachers in relation to special needs provision An overview of the four broad areas of need outlined in the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice (DfES, 2001), including strategies appropriate to each A discussion of assessment and planning, including student, peer and family views Focus on difficulties in the area of numeracy and literacy, including effective intervention strategies Coverage of behavioural issues and effective resolution strategies An insight into the uses of ICT to support students' learning and achievement Sources of further specialist advice and support A Beginning Teacher's Guide to Special Educational Needs provides essential support and guidance for student teachers during and beyond their teaching training.
Download or read book Playing Smart written by Julian Togelius and published by MIT Press. This book was released on 2019-01-15 with total page 188 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A new vision of the future of games and game design, enabled by AI. Can games measure intelligence? How will artificial intelligence inform games of the future? In Playing Smart, Julian Togelius explores the connections between games and intelligence to offer a new vision of future games and game design. Video games already depend on AI. We use games to test AI algorithms, challenge our thinking, and better understand both natural and artificial intelligence. In the future, Togelius argues, game designers will be able to create smarter games that make us smarter in turn, applying advanced AI to help design games. In this book, he tells us how. Games are the past, present, and future of artificial intelligence. In 1948, Alan Turing, one of the founding fathers of computer science and artificial intelligence, handwrote a program for chess. Today we have IBM's Deep Blue and DeepMind's AlphaGo, and huge efforts go into developing AI that can play such arcade games as Pac-Man. Programmers continue to use games to test and develop AI, creating new benchmarks for AI while also challenging human assumptions and cognitive abilities. Game design is at heart a cognitive science, Togelius reminds us—when we play or design a game, we plan, think spatially, make predictions, move, and assess ourselves and our performance. By studying how we play and design games, Togelius writes, we can better understand how humans and machines think. AI can do more for game design than providing a skillful opponent. We can harness it to build game-playing and game-designing AI agents, enabling a new generation of AI-augmented games. With AI, we can explore new frontiers in learning and play.
Download or read book Rules of Play written by Katie Salen Tekinbas and published by MIT Press. This book was released on 2003-09-25 with total page 680 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An impassioned look at games and game design that offers the most ambitious framework for understanding them to date. As pop culture, games are as important as film or television—but game design has yet to develop a theoretical framework or critical vocabulary. In Rules of Play Katie Salen and Eric Zimmerman present a much-needed primer for this emerging field. They offer a unified model for looking at all kinds of games, from board games and sports to computer and video games. As active participants in game culture, the authors have written Rules of Play as a catalyst for innovation, filled with new concepts, strategies, and methodologies for creating and understanding games. Building an aesthetics of interactive systems, Salen and Zimmerman define core concepts like "play," "design," and "interactivity." They look at games through a series of eighteen "game design schemas," or conceptual frameworks, including games as systems of emergence and information, as contexts for social play, as a storytelling medium, and as sites of cultural resistance. Written for game scholars, game developers, and interactive designers, Rules of Play is a textbook, reference book, and theoretical guide. It is the first comprehensive attempt to establish a solid theoretical framework for the emerging discipline of game design.
Download or read book Learning Through Play written by Christine Robinson and published by . This book was released on 2018-04-10 with total page 356 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learning Through Play translates the theory of play into practice while seamlessly integrating the Australian Curriculum, government policy and current trends. It aims to create a shared understanding of play and play-based pedagogies that positively influence the everyday practices of educators and improve the learning experiences of children. The book extensively covers the various contexts that children may engage with during the early years - the period from birth to age 8. Learning Through Play is structured to complement the Early Years Learning Framework and early childhood education studies. It begins by drawing on theories to discuss the centrality of play to children's development and learning, then delves into the practicalities and challenges of implementing these play-based approaches, and finally discusses the future of play in early childhood contexts. With several learning features that blend theory, context and practical skills, Learning Through Play will not only help pre-service teachers to understand play in principle and in practice, but also to advocate articulately for play-based approaches.
Download or read book EBOOK Rethinking Learning in Early Childhood Education written by Nicola Yelland and published by McGraw-Hill Education (UK). This book was released on 2008-08-16 with total page 185 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "I think a real strength of the book is the use of the case studies to ground the points made and to offer in-depth insights into practice." Jackie Marsh, University of Sheffield, UK This exciting book considers the nature of young children's lives and how this can, and should, inform early childhood education in practical ways. It examines: What is it like for young children to learn in the 21st century? How can we link this to new and innovative ways of providing relevant and engaging learning contexts for young children? What it means to be multiliterate in the 21st century The book explores how learning and engagement with ideas can be extended through the use of new technologies, describing how information and communications technologies enable young people to extend the boundaries of their learning and social interactions. These experiences have important implications for formal learning environments and the nature of the curriculum, including bold new approaches to teaching and learning which offer opportunities for children to investigate in new ways. This book provides examples of the ways in which early childhood teachers have extended opportunities for new types of learning for children by creating contexts in which they are able to explore and represent their ideas and thinking in multimodal formats using new technologies. This book represents a research-based discussion for rethinking learning in the 21st century and includes various case studies and scenarios to enable students and practising teachers to try out new ideas. Finally, it considers new ways of thinking about children's learning by creating a multiliteracies portrait, pedagogies and pathways profile that enables teachers to build on their strengths to plan for effective learning outcomes. Rethinking Learning in Early Childhood Education is key reading for students on Early Years courses or Primary Education pre-service teacher education programmes.
Download or read book EBOOK Characteristics of Effective Early Learning Helping young children become learners for life written by Helen Moylett and published by McGraw-Hill Education (UK). This book was released on 2013-09-16 with total page 162 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The key argument of The Characteristics of Effective Early Learning is that how children learn is as important as what they learn. This book helps you understand how to support the learning and development of young children through promoting the characteristics of effective early learning: play and exploring, active learning, and creating and thinking critically. The book: Investigates how children engage in learning through playing and exploring, and are motivated through active learning Explores how children become creative and critical thinkers able to review their own learning and thinking, imaginatively solving problems and excited by their own Examines appropriate approaches to observation, assessment and planning Supports practitioners in reporting on how children demonstrate these characteristics for the revised EYFS profile Rich in practical examples and case studies, this is an essential read for early years students and practitioners who want to find out more about how to promote the characteristics of effective early learning in their practice. Contributors: Di Chilvers, Clare Crowther, Kim Porter, Sue Rogers, Judith Stevens, Nancy Stewart, David Whitebread "This is such a useful addition to other publications which clarify, enrich and expand on messages in the revised Early Years Foundation stage. A range of early years experts offer valuable insights on important topics linked to young children learning. The contributors write authoritatively drawing on historical studies as well as more current research. Authentic case studies vividly illustrate theoretical points. Helen sets the stage beautifully, providing a rationale, structure and sequence to a book which truly and lovingly celebrates the processes of children's unfolding development." Marion Dowling, Early Years Specialist and Vice President of Early Education "An insightful and engaging read for students and professionals within the Early Years sector that brings alive the concepts of effective learning that underpin the Early Years Foundation Stage. The book provides an excellent synthesis of developmental and pedagogic research enabling readers to make connections between theory and practice. One of the great strengths of the book is the way in which young children are celebrated as active and powerful agents in their own learning. The book allows readers to reflect on how adults can build on this to ensure that the potential for learning within each child is fully supported through effective pedagogies as well as in more formal planning and assessment. The contributing authors bring a variety of perspectives and knowledge that combine to illuminate the principles behind effective early years practice and explore how these can be translated into meaningful and supportive experiences for children." Dr Mary Wild, Principal Lecturer, School of Education, Oxford Brookes University, UK "What a wonderful sub-title 'Helping young children to become learners for life'. It is so refreshing to find, (among the plethora of new publications on child development) a book that really sees all children as 'rich children' and describes them as capable and confident learners. All the authors share their knowledge in a highly accessible manner which means I can recommend this book to both our practitioners and students undertaking first degrees and post qualifying courses. The authors clearly identify the qualities and attributes of highly effective learners. They share the view that young children come into Early Childhood Education settings hungry to make sense of relationships and the world they are growing up in. They powerfully describe the kind of skilled educators that children deserve; educators who can harness children's energy, engage with their interests and extend their critical thinking." Dr Margy Whalley, Director of the Pen Green Centre for Children and Families and the Pen Green Research Base
Download or read book EBOOK LEARNING ABOUT EDUCATION written by David Hamilton and published by McGraw-Hill Education (UK). This book was released on 1990-06-16 with total page 114 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is an introductory text for students of education and will be of interest to those concerned about the future of education and schooling. It focuses upon the role that education and schooling have played in the creation, maintainance and transformation of the human species. It also considers the negative and positive consequences of schooling and education. The book invites readers to draw their own conclusions from many of its arguments.
Download or read book EBOOK Key Times for Play written by Julia Manning-Morton and published by McGraw-Hill Education (UK). This book was released on 2003-09-16 with total page 192 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "There are three reasons why this book deserves to be taken seriously. The first is because it concerns ‘play’, and this is a challenging and multi-faceted subject. The second reason is because it examines play during the first three years of life, which is a crucial period for the developing child in many aspects (i.e. physical, emotional, cognitive, etc.). The third reason is the book’s virtues, the most important of which are the clarity of thought displayed by its authors, the systematic descriptions of play contexts and play between children and adults, and the accessible style in which it is written.” International Journal of Early Years Education Key Times for Play takes a broad look at the importance of play for children from birth to three and sets play within the framework of a child's whole development. The book combines theory and practice and is illustrated by many examples from direct observation of children. Key Times for Play is organised in relation to key characteristics of children from birth to three, each of which are looked at in relation to how very young children play. The implications of this for how adults interact with young children and how they provide, support and develop play experiences is a major focus. A key theme of the book is the emphasis on a holistic approach to young children's play. Play is therefore looked at in relation to all aspects of the child's day and the separation of play and work and care and education is challenged. Key Times for Play is suitable for the student undertaking a level three qualification, but wishing to continue onto a degree course. It is a challenging text for these levels, but because it keeps a practical approach, it remains accessible to the reader.
Download or read book EBOOK Learning from Sure Start Working with Young Children and their Families written by Jo Weinberger and published by McGraw-Hill Education (UK). This book was released on 2005-07-16 with total page 302 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "...an easy-to-read evaluation of a trailblazer local programme... packed with helpful information such as pointers for the future, pie charts and parents' stories (not translated into dry 'research' speak)... It renewed my passion and reminded me why I got involved in Sure Start in the first place" Nursery World “This book demonstrates the key strength of Sure Start, its breadth of vision… It shows how with the right effort, statutory and voluntary organisations can work side by side. It also shows how important it is to engage local people in finding solutions, blending professional and community support to strengthen both… Learning from Sure Start is a significant contribution to the evidence base on what works for young children and families.”Naomi Eisenstadt, Director, Sure Start Unit Sure Start, an exciting initiative in early childhood care and education with families in the UK, has been developing new forms of community-focused early interventions, with the aim of having all children ‘ready to flourish’ when they start school. This book, the first of its kind, is the result of a close collaboration between one local programme and a university over a five year period. The contributors all have first hand experience as practitioners or researchers in the Sure Start programme at Foxhill & Parson Cross in Sheffield, which has provided a wide range of new services. Contributors: Describe various services within health, education and social welfare Examine implications of the development of inter-agency theory and practice for planning and delivery of services for children Evaluate methods that were employed Identify what worked and what didn’t Indicate lessons that can be drawn from experience This is indispensable reading for students of early childhood and early years practitioners, policy makers, and researchers.
