Ready to revisit the great early childhood debates?
On October 13, 2021, my 4th book, published by Dunod, comes out. It is particularly aimed at early childhood professionals who want to revisit the major debates in the field in the light of scientific knowledge, without filters and with a sense of humor. Warning: this is one hair-raising read!
Following the adventure of my VERY Practical Guide for Childcare ProfessionalsI wanted to get back into the swing of things and propose a new challenge: that of revisiting the great passionate debates that animate the community of childcare professionals, in the light of scientific knowledge: « For or against getting attached to children »; « For or against letting them start their meal with dessert », « For or against talking to them about your own emotions », etc.
To discover the contents, go to HERE.
Lhe aim of this new challenge?
Leave behind the ideological battles that have frozen our thinking for too many years, and refocus on the meaning of our daily practices. Put aside the cultural codes that stick to us, and refocus on the needs of the child itself.. Science has the advantage of providing us with information that is solid, reliable, objective and (almost) free of ideology. So let’s make the most of it!
My dada is science (and fruit juices)
Like other scientific authors, I aspire to make professional practices in the field of early childhood (and elsewhere) more « evidence-based », i.e. based on scientific data and not on the discourse of a few old bearded gentlemen who disappeared a century ago.
Mhat’s in the book?
Debates and more debates…. But also reliable scientific data, suggestion boxes, concrete ideas and humor. Lots of humor!
More precisely, this book is made up of 30 chapters = 30 debates that have been driving the early childhood community – with varying degrees of intensity – for some time now. For each question raised, I suggest you distinguish between the adult’s point of view and that of the child: as you’ll see, they often contradict each other!
I’ve given some chapters a « ideas box to help you apply this new information to your everyday life.
To make the whole thing easier to digest, and because I often find professional books too serious, I’ve spiced it up with a dash of humor and a healthy dose of humanity. !
To open the debate, Josette Serres, research engineer at the CNRS, doctor in developmental psychology and neuroscience specialist (who also happens to be my colleague and friend) has concocted a stimulating preface to get your neurons firing.
Last but not least, you’ll find original (and hilarious) illustrations by the formidable Lise Desportes, aka Liliaimelenougat.
A little warning for the road… 😉
Before you dive into reading this book like a tanned holidaymaker immersing himself in the blue waters of the Mediterranean (it’s as if you were already there), I’d like to draw your attention to one point. Some parts of this book may upset or irritate you.I’d like to draw your attention to one point. And so it should be.
In spite of everything, it’s highly likely that in the end we’ll all – more or less – agree, because we share a common ambition: that of favoring practices that put the child’s best interests first.
However, this consensus can only be reached if you and I play the game of putting all our beliefs, fears, certainties, cultural codes and educational values aside to refocus on a single objective: the well-being of these little beings in the throes of construction. Which is far from simple, I grant you!
Ready for the challenge?
