Learning from the Inside-Out - by Manya Whitaker (Hardcover)

About the Book

Learning from the Inside-Out: Child Development and School Choice is the first book of its kind to marry child development, educational psychology, neuroscience, and pedagogy. This book goes beyond the now banal conversation of differentiating students based upon gender, race, ...

Book Synopsis

Learning from the Inside-Out: Child Development and School Choice is the first book of its kind to marry child development, educational psychology, neuroscience, and pedagogy. This book goes beyond the now banal conversation of differentiating students based upon gender, race, and class. This book is about the cognitive and social needs of students throughout the developmental span and how to identify schools that meet those needs. In essence, this book rejects the one-size-fits-all discourse of education reform in favor of a focus on individualized educational decision-making. Learning from the Inside-Out acknowledges that contrary to the popular saying, good teaching is not good teaching. What one student needs in a teacher, classroom environment or curricula is not necessarily what another student might need despite demographic similarities. After reading this book, parents and teachers will be empowered and informed when making decisions about how best to educate children.

Review Quotes

An academic "page-turner" if there ever was one, Learning from the Inside Out: Child Development and School Choice should be required reading for parents, teachers and anyone who wants to understand the education of children. This engaging text translates very complex concepts in psychological and educational science using real world examples that will inform and empower parents and practitioners alike. Dr. Whitaker has created that rare book that is both academically rigorous and easily accessible. Learning from the Inside Out is a book that should be on the shelf of every parent and educator.

Dr. Whitaker clearly understands the changing school landscape and the many choices parents have when it comes to their children's education. Learning from the Inside Out is a valuable book for parents ready to advocate for schools that prioritize the needs of children and create learning experiences in sync with the developmental needs of children. It ought to be at the top of every parent's reading list.

Understandably, parents have many questions and worries about their child's development and learning. Most textbooks on child development are not written with parental hopes and concerns in mind. Whitaker's book bucks this trend by offering a highly accessible review of the latest evidence on child development and learning from infancy through to emerging adulthood. The book draws on evidence from psychology, sociology and neuroscience to help parents understand their children. Whitaker's book will alleviate the worries of many parents and present them with ways to improve their child's development and experiences in school.

About the Author

Dr. Manya Whitaker is a developmental educational psychologist with expertise in urban education and developmentally appropriate teaching. She researches teacher preparation for urban schools serving culturally and linguistically diverse students.