"How do children learn - and why do we teach them the way we do? Educational theorists and psychologists have researched the subject for more than 200 years. Their theories still influence the way we teach today. This book summarises the findings and ideas of some of them - famous names such as Montessori and Piaget as well as lesser-known ones such as Dewey and Donaldson. It looks at the theory behind different approaches to early years education - High/Scope. Steiner, the Italian pre-schools of Reggio Emilia and the early years curriculum in New Zealand"--Back cover.