This book provides a comprehensive overview of the major theorists who are crucial to understanding learning theories in childhood. It contains all the vital information students need and will be useful for the entirety of their course. 

Chapter 1: An Introduction to Learning Theories
Chapter 2: The Developmental Process Underpinning Learning: The Role of Theory and Philosophy
Chapter 3: The Founding Fathers and Philosophies of Learning
Chapter 4: Classical and Operant Conditioning: The Early Years Experience
Chapter 5: Piaget, Learning and Cognitive Constructivism
Chapter 6: Vygotsky: Learning in a Social Matrix
Chapter 7: Bandura and Social Learning
Chapter 8: Bronfenbrenner: Bioecological Influences on Social Learning
Chapter 9: Bruner and Discovery Learning/ Constructivism
Chapter 10: New Perspectives: Childhood Studies
Chapter 11: Theory in Practice: Learning and the Reflective Practitioner
Chapter 12: The Changing Nature of Learning

Dr Colette Gray is a Chartered Developmental Psychologist at Stranmillis University College, a College of The Queen's University of Belfast. She is a Principal Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies, was until very recently the Head of Research Development and a Visiting Professor (Child Development & Education) to the University of St Marks & St John's Plymouth. She has studied and taught a range of undergraduate and post graduate degree modules to students for more than 20 years. Editor of the International Journal of Early Years Education, she continues to develop her research interests in the field of participatory research which children and marginalised groups, the impact of special needs on children's learning, and the ethical implications of research involving vulnerable groups. Married for 40 years, she is the proud grandmother of three pre-schoolers Jacob (3 yrs 6mths), Isabelle (20 months) and Isaac (15 mths).