Dr Heather Geddes

Okay, now that I am actually taking classes in education, reviews of these sorts of books may start to pop in occasionally. I think it's important to review textbooks as well as novels, because how else are we going to know what's worth reading for classes?

I think this is a good book to read if you deal with children at all in your job. Geddes describes attachment theory and identifies three different attachment patterns that children can exhibit. This is really important to know, because a lot of behavioral issues stem from these patterns. Geddes gives some advice as to how to recognize the attachment patterns and then what to do when the child's pattern becomes disruptive. I would have liked to read less about the theory itself and more about how to actually deal with these children. Instead, a lot of focus is given on studies, stories, and how to recognize the patterns. Of course, some were interesting and helpful, but I do think that others could have been cut out to make room for more tips and maybe even stories about how teachers handled the students with disruptive patterns. Also, I think that sometimes Geddes stated the obvious, which was frustrating. A point was made that a child with a disruptive home life would be disruptive in school, for example. I think I wanted a little more complexity when Attachment in the Classroom only gives a brief overview.

Overall, this book is a fast read and it really is helpful for those working with students and children. It points out that creating a safe, secure environment is essential for learning and gives a few really good tips for dealing with disruptive children. For me, I think that simply reading it helps me to be aware of disruptive behavior and instead of reacting emotionally, I remember to reflect as to why the student is behaving that way. This is a must-read for teachers dealing with young children, but will be helpful for all instructors so that they can better help their students learn.… (meer)