Page 56 - SEN106 SEN Magazine May-June 2020
P. 56

Book reviews  How We Learn    The New Science of Education and the Brain   S. Dehaene  Body Image in the Primary School    A Self-Esteem Approach to Building Body Confidence (second edition)   N. Hutchinson and C. Calland  Stanislas Dehaene is a Professor of   Experimental Cognitive Psychology   and one of Europe’s  leading   neuroscientists. For over thirty   years, he has been studying how   education changes our brains.   In this book, he provides an overview   of the latest research into issues   including: what learning is; how   our brain learns; and reconciling   education and neuroscience. He   proposes seven  definitions  of   learning and provides an overview   of current theories into how the brain develops and    acquires knowledge.  Dehaene identifies four pillars of learning as essential to   teaching: attention – the teacher’s role in directing this   in their lessons; curiosity – nurturing a curious, playful   mindset; feedback – how learning from mistakes can be a   positive experience for students; and consolidation – the   role of routines, repetition and sleep in helping form more   permanent memories.  This leads him to draw a number of interesting conclusions   about how we learn most effectively and the implications   for classroom practice.  This book will be of interest to those who want to learn   more about current research into “the learning brain” and   how this should inform more effective teaching practices   in all settings. There are some particularly compelling   observations on research into the impact of access to   an enriched early childhood environment and curriculum.  This is the second edition of   a popular publication that   previously won a government   award, with lessons highlighted   by Ofsted as providing   evidence of good practice.   The authors are teachers   and education consultants   with extensive experience in   children’s behaviour, mental   health and wellbeing. Their   expertise has been shared   at national level, as well as   with universities, schools     and parents.  Topics covered include: body image in children; the body   image curriculum; guidance for schools; transition; and   involving parents and carers.  The book includes over 60 detailed and engaging lesson   plans that cover the age range 4 to 13, with additional   lessons on gender, social media and the “selfie” culture.   There are also links to research relating to body image,   academic achievement and emotional wellbeing.  This book is an inclusive and supportive publication that   addresses important issues that affect many children   today in terms of how they feel about themselves and their   perceptions of how others see them. It will be useful to   teachers, therapists and other professionals in structuring   teaching and support in a field that is increasingly important   given concerns about bullying, obesity and social media.  Allen Lane  £25.00  ISBN: 978-0-241-36646-2  A David Fulton Book (Routledge, Taylor Francis)  £23.99  ISBN: 978-0-367-18842-9  SEN  106  senmagazine.co.uk  56  Book reviews


































































































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