Understanding Early Development from Conception to Four

Sheila Nutkins is Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at the University of Aberdeen, UK.Catriona McDonald is Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at the University of Aberdeen, UK.Katrina Foy is Lecturer in the School of Education at the University of Aberdeen, UK.

• Section One: Development and Learning1. Understanding Early Development - conception to 52. The Developing Brain 3. The Developing Personality 4. The Developing Communicator 5. The Developing Body Section 2: Provision and practice 6. Before Baby Arrives - conception to birth7. The First Year- birth to one8. Two More Years At Home? - 1- 39. The Pre-school Year - 3 – 410. The Impact on the Child Section 3: Key Areas of Learning11. Learning Through Play 12. Learning to Communicate 13. Learning How the World Works 14. A New Learning Environment in the 21st Century 15. Learning About Mind and Body Section 4: Supporting Learning16 Developing the Quality of Our Interactions 17. Developing Our Observation Skills 18. Supporting Language Acquisition and Early Literacy 19. Developing Positive Dispositions to Learning 20. Learning All the Time Conclusion