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.
"What a pleasure to read common sense wisdom about what young children need!"
"This is an amazing book. It 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 quickly and easily. This belongs on every desk for quick and handy use!"
"This book is a must read for anyone who is part of the current education system. It is time to think about what we are doing to the youth who are the new digital generation era and to ensure we are teaching them in ways that are the most developmentally appropriate."
"This is a great read. Its social media flavor is inviting and inspiring. The issues presented echo teacher discussions made around the water fountain. [Rae Pica’s] expertise and evidence based on research will move your hair-pulling complaints to policy-changing action."
"This book offers provocative ideas for the new educator, the experienced teacher, and administrators alike. Let’s use what we know about child development to start remaking our schools to meet the needs of all students. This book provides a starting point."
"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. What If Everybody Understood Childhood Development? includes 29 critically important chapters that focus on every single important issue we don’t always take enough time to talk about. This book needs to not just be on everyone’s shelves, but open in everyone’s hands."
"Our understanding of young children has become quite distorted, as have our policies and practices. It's time to reorient our views and Rae Pica’s What If Everybody Understood Child Development? gives clear examples of the problems and of the solutions. To her children are remarkable human beings -- active, caring, and creative. They are more than an investment in the future. They are of immense value here and now."
"Rae Pica understands children. With her wisdom and insight, she helps us know how to do right by kids in a world full of conflicting pressures. Thank you, Rae, for this valuable book. We need it now more than ever!"
Pica’s folksy, straight talk about the big and small, but still contentious, issues in education today couldn’t be more refreshing. Some of the subjects are among the most vexing of our time, but they’re served up with a wicked wit, not to mention a deep respect for developmental science, that makes them easily digestible.
"What If Everybody Understood Child Development? would be a great book to give to any parent or teacher you know who is uneasy about aspects of our current educational system (excessive testing, lack of play-based or individualized learning, etc.) but having difficulty articulating the problems."
(http://jkrbooks.typepad.com/blog/2016/04/what-if-everyone-understood-child-development-rae-pica.html
