Exploring the 3-D World - by Rosanne Regan Hansel (Paperback)

About the Book

Help develop young children's spatial reasoning and math skills through play.

Book Synopsis

We live in a three-dimensional world, but many of our learning environments offer few opportunities for three-dimensional exploration and developing the spatial reasoning that is integral to everyday life and to closing the achievement gap.

Developing these skills in children will cultivate their curiosity, persistence, and intellectual capacity beyond the narrow definitions of academic achievement. Exploring the 3-D World covers

current research on the effectiveness of developing spatial skills in the early years

the essential components of playful exploration

key spatial skills that are important for children to learn

how visual representations such as displays of data, drawing, and documentation open new pathways to learning

vocabulary and conversation starters to expand learning

activities for families to try at home with recommended children's books that reinforce the spatial skills introduced

The skills are accompanied with illustrated examples of activities taken from public preschool and kindergarten classrooms, private preschools and child care centers, and home settings.

Review Quotes

"This book is an astonishing synthesis of research on children's learning with everyday experience, written in a style very accessible to parents and teachers." --Nora S. Newcombe, PhD, Laura H. Carnell Professor of Psychology, James H. Glackin Distinguished Faculty Fellow, Temple University

"What a gift Rosanne Regan Hansel has created for both educators and parents alike. It clearly defines and allows for a better understanding of spatial learning and the role it plays in whole-child development, as well as its connection to later academic success through a love of learning. As children evolve their spatial thinking skills, this will help to guide scaffolding with meaningful interactions and provocations for anyone who takes some time to utilize this invaluable source of information." --Christy Lechner, MA, early childhood outdoor education specialist and advocate

"What a fantastic book! Rosanne Regan Hansel's Exploring the 3-D World joins two of the most important topics in early childhood education today--spatial reasoning and play. As young children become increasingly exposed to virtual learning environments, exploring the real world using spatial reasoning--touching and manipulating tangible 3-D objects--is not only important to STEM learning, it is essential to understanding who we are as humans on this big round Earth. Hansel's focus on child-centered playgrounds her work in developmentally appropriate practice and honors both the art and science of teaching young children." --Ann Gadzikowski, director of early learning for Encyclopedia Britannica and author of Young Architects at Play

About the Author

Rosanne Regan Hansel has been both a teacher and administrator for a variety of early childhood programs. Now retired, she was the Early Childhood Specialist for the Math Science Partnership at Rutgers University and formerly the Education Program Development Specialist for the New Jersey Department of Education. Ms. Hansel received her MS Ed in Early Childhood Leadership from Bank Street College of Education. She is the author of the award-winning book Creative Block Play.