Ready for Learning and Ready for Life: Bridging the Disconnects Between Research and Practice [Paperback]

Many of our children are poorly prepared to face the challenges of school and growing up in our complex society. The term readiness is misrepresented in the field of education; this book implies a different type of readiness involving a process that can be taught and nurtured within each child. Going beyond what our schools typically assess to determine readiness to attend school, which is often based upon age, this book addresses the synergistic aspects of readiness, learning, and adaptation that allow children to be optimally ready to learning and capable of handing for challenges and transitions. This more holistic and interactive understanding of readiness involves not only the typical physical development, but also psychological aspects including the cognitive, emotional, spiritual, behavioral, and environmental pieces.
The goal of this book is to provide the necessary lens through which we can see what is really hindering many children in schools today, along with possible approaches and interventions typically not seen as educational in nature, but what may be just the needed prescription for our ailing youth.

Betsy Gunzelmann is professor of psychology at Southern New Hampshire University and author of several books and articles involved with improving our schools. She has worked in the field for over 30 years and is a psychologist, educator, and parent concerned with issues hindering our childrens education. Her new focus is helping young people to be prepared to learn and cope with lifes transitions.

Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I: Understanding the Concept of Being Ready and the Disconnects
Chapter 1: What is Being Ready All About?
Chapter 2: The Paradoxes and the Disconnects?
Chapter 3: Catalysts to our Understanding: Theoretical and Research Foundations
Chapter 4: The Meaning of Readiness
Part II: A Synergistic Readiness
Chapter 5: The Physical Piece
Chapter 6: The Cognitive Piece
Chapter 7: ThlÃò