Psychology for Teaching Assistants

Teaching assistants need to have a particular understanding of how children’s minds work and this book provides it. It outlines the psychology of human development, the psychology of learning and the psychology of institutions and groups.

Psychology for Teaching Assistants is an entirely revised edition of the book published in 2005, with a new chapter on preschool children by Anita Soni. It contextualizes the information in the current debates and practices of special education and inclusion, emphasizing multiple perspectives.

In the sections on development and learning, particular attention is devoted to
* attachment theory
* language development
* working with disaffected teenagers
* the emotional impact of loss, including discovering disability in a child
* the psychological effects of abuse
* cognitive curricula
* learning empowerment through independence

The section on institutions and groups looks particularly at
* processes in groups
* working in breakfast and after school clubs
* working in learning support units
* leadership models
* interpersonal communication
* violence, aggression and bullying
* emancipatory psychology.