What If Everybody Understood Child Development?
Straight Talk About Bettering Education and Children's Lives
- Rae Pica - Education Consultant
Understand the connection between how kids grow and how they learn
Rae Pica knows what she’s talking about. With over 35 years in the field of education, she’s realized that what’s missing from our approach to schooling is an understanding of the connection between how children develop and how they learn. In this collection, Pica keeps children front and center as she provides thought-provoking commentary and actionable insights on topics such as the Common Core, the self-esteem movement, and standardized testing. You’ll find
- 29 short essays on topics critical to best practice in child development and education
- Opinions of experts supported by research and anecdotal evidence
- Real-life stories shared by teachers and parents
- References to related articles and interviews with experts
With its unflinching look at well-meaning initiatives that may be holding students back, this pocket-sized powerhouse of educational philosophy is sure to inspire discussion about our schools.
View the press release detailing Rae Pica's book as #1 on Amazon here!
Check out a review by Susan Ochshorn, Founder and Principal of ECE Policy Work here!
Diane Ravitch, Research Professor of Education
New York University
"This amazing book does far more than chase down the myths about how to ensure that children are successful. If offers real, research-backed practical strategies every teacher and parent can use. It belongs on every desk for quick and handy use!"
Eric Jensen, Director
Jensen Learning, Maunaloa, HI
"Rae Pica has a deep understanding of childhood development and she has delved into every facet of it so that educators, parents, and policymakers will come to that understanding, too. This book needs to not just be on everyone’s shelves, but open in everyone’s hands."
Peter DeWitt, Author/Consultant and Former K-5 Principal
Free resources
Podcast: Body-Mind Connection in Early Childhood Education
Rae Pica discusses the importance of understanding both body and mind in early childhood education with the hosts of The Preschool Podcast.
Podcast: Rae Pica and the Importance of Movement
Featured on Episode 16 of the "Not Just Cute" podcast, Rae Pica shares what she’s observed over her over 40-year career and strongly advocates for movement in childhood education.
Podcast: Movement Is Not Misbehavior
Author and early childhood expert Rae Pica is featured on the That Early Childhood Nerd podcast to discuss how honoring children's need to move can reduce behaviors we find challenging.