A Teaching Assistant's Guide to Child Development and Psychology in the Classroom

Book excerpt: How can you help students most effectively in the classroom? As a Teaching Assistant, you play a vital role in today’s schools. This fully updated new edition will help you get to grips with the main issues to do with psychology and its role in the processes of teaching and learning. This accessible text, building on the success of a best-selling previous edition, provides informative, yet down-to-earth commentary with clear examples of how you can apply this knowledge in everyday practice. The book addresses issues including: how to support learning how to identify and cater for different learning styles teaching children with additional needs how to manage behaviour to support learning how to help children with their self-esteem and independence. This new edition includes references to up-to-date research in child development and psychology to include information regarding personalised learning, creativity, motivation, friendships skills, moral development and neuroscience. Chapters are complemented with lively case studies, self-assessment questions and examples of how to apply theory to everyday classroom practice. The reader is encouraged to develop reflective practice to best support childrens’ behaviour and learning. This reader-friendly book is an invaluable companion for every Teaching assistant, HLTA, Cover Supervisor, and anyone working in a supporting role in an educational setting.