Overview

The art of observing children is more than merely the act of watching them- it is also using what you see and hear to craft new opportunitites in your classroom. This newly updated edition of The Art of Awareness provides a wealth of inspiration and practice. Witness children's remarkable competencies as they experience childhood and find a new joy in your work with children. In the third edition you will find A new chapter focused on observing children's active play in the context of current neuroscience and the connection between active physicality and brain developement Revisons with a strong emphasis on observing wiht an antibias and equity lens, including new stories and reflective questions to promote learning Expanded thinking about children's engagement with the natural world and supporting children' ecological identity development Access to videos for further study related to chapter content New strategies to organize your observations, share them with colleagues and families, and apply the to planning and assesment processes By learning the art and skill of observation, you can improve your teaching and help children grow and learn.

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9781605547305

Table of Contents

Reviews

The Art of Awareness is a beautiful book to read and teach with in-person and online classes. I love using this text as a guide to support early childhood educators in college and in early care and education programs. The design of the book artfully pulls us in and slows us down, encouraging us to get immersed in the world of children from their perspective. This book helps teachers recognize and honor children's curiosity, creativity, sense of wonder and competencies through the lens of equity and anti-bias. The chapters that focus on a particular study session topic allow teachers to dive deep while also avoiding cognitive overload. Students have shared that they feel unusually relaxed and inspired while reading, and the reflective activities give them insight to their own awareness of the world, while also having some fun! The content is juicy rich with children's experiences as well as offering meaningful tools, such as Learning Stories, for observation and documentation.  New and seasoned early childhood professionals will gain valuable insight about how to be fully present, celebrate the whole child, and become artful observers of children.  --Shaquam Edwards, Instructor, Early Childhood Education, College of Marin The Art of Awareness offers the tools needed to open the doors of our perception to the extraordinary uniqueness of each child. Thus, allowing us the opportunity to fully join and support their development. Both practical and inspirational, the reader will find how to advance equity in our society while fostering joyfulness each step of the way.  --Erika Flores, Founder and CEO, ChildrenFlow Deb and Margie's keen insight into children and deep understanding of how to make visible a child's innate gift for learning and connecting inspires us once again to truly see and hear children. This 3rd edition builds on their previous works through guided self-studies and reflective questions, as well as photographs and stories that capture the essence of children and foster our respect for them as agents of their learning. Throughout the book, Deb and Margie also infuse an equity and anti-bias lens that promotes our self-awareness to unveil and combat racism and white privilege which clouds our ability see and celebrate each child's uniqueness and strength. Deb and Margie move us to be transformational in the way we see and interact with each child and how to use observation to counterbalance the increased focus on standardization and evaluation that reduces early childhood to mere numbers and scores. --Jill McFarren Avilés, founder and director of McFarren Aviles & Associates, LLC Este libro es una valiosa herramienta para mi enseñanza. Las historias inspiradoras con fotos ofrecen ideas útiles para el medio ambiente y los materiales porque puedo ver las formas reales en que los niños los usan. Las actividades para practicar las ideas me ayudaron a ver de manera diferente y a notar cosas que normalmente me perdería. El libro me mostró los puntos de vista de los niños, las muchas diferencias entre los niños y las formas en que puedo abrazar y respetar a cada niño. --Jesly Morales, maestra de preescolar This book is a valuable tool for my teaching. The inspiring stories with photos offer useful ideas for the environment and materials because I can see the real ways children use them. The activities for practicing the ideas helped me to see differently and notice things I might normally miss. The book showed me children's points of view, the many differences in children, and ways I can embrace and respect every single child. --Jesly Morales, Preschool Teacher I recommend reading everything Deb and Margie write, but Art of Awareness is a true gem. Whether you're a new teacher or an experienced early childhood educator this book will draw you deeper. From the very first poem there is so much to think about, practice, and reflect on as a team. We've used Art of Awareness in book studies, professional development days, and parent meetings for years. Honing in your observation skills is one of the best ways towards becoming the educator you want to be. The study sessions are accessible and powerful lenses to further our learning. Thanks for the new edition and more to dig into. --Jennifer Slack, Founder and pedagogical leader, Our Neighborhood Child Development Center Once again Margie Carter and Deb Curtis offer us a practical resource that considers both the heart and the head.  The Art of Awareness offers a carefully guided path for teachers to reflect on, consider, and transform their practice to meet the realities of today's changing world.  A must have for both new and experienced teachers who are eager to learn more about themselves, the children they spend their days with, and the issues that face us all in the 21st century. --Anne Marie Coughlin, Education Director, London Bridge Child Care Services

Author Information

Deb Curtis has spent the past 40 years working with children and teachers in early childhood programs. She holds an MA in human development from Pacific Oaks College and has worked as an infant/toddler caregiver, preschool and school age child care teacher, CDA trainer, Head Start education coordinator, college instructor, and assistant director of a child care program. Margie Carter has worked as a preschool, kindergarten and primary school teacher, curriculum developer, High/Scope trainer, child care director, and college instructor. She received her BS in Education from Northwestern University and her MA in Human Development and Leadership from Pacific Oaks College.  Deb Curtis and Margie Carter are the coauthors of numerous professional learning books, including?The Visionary Director, Training Teachers, The Art of Awareness, Designs for Living and Learning, Reflecting Children’s Lives, Learning Together with Young Children, Reflecting in Communities of Practice,?and author of?Really Seeing Children. 

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