Used as a measure of quality in the groundbreaking Effective Provision of Pre-School Education (EPPE) project, Sustained Shared Thinking is fundamental to good early years practice. It costs nothing, yet research has shown that it improves outcomes for children by supporting the most important parts of a child's development - social, emotional, personal, language and cognitive. This book clearly explains what Sustained Shared Thinking is and examines the skills and expertise needed to initiate, encourage and faciliate it.

The book investigates the attitudes, knowledge and understanding that a pracitioner must adopt in order to start or maintain successful Sustained Shared Thinking. Combining theory with practical guidance it demonstrates how it can be achieved covering all aspects of early years practice including the characteristics of effective learning, the prime and specific areas of learning, the role of the practitioner, the environment and working with parents.

Features include:

• Boxed examples focusing on children at different stages of their development
• Links throughout to the Early Years Foundation Stage
• Case studies and vignettes to show Sustained Shared Thinking in action
• Practical strategies and activities

Written by a leading consultant who regularly delivers training on Sustained Shared Thinking, this will be an essential text for students on Foundation Degree and Childhood Studies courses and early years practitioners.