Deb Curtis is a well-known author and early childhood expert with an excellent sales record. Schema theory explains how we are able to digest information. Psychologist Jean Piaget described a schema as a thread of thought that is demonstrated by repeated actions and patterns. When children explore schemas by dropping a toy off their high chair repeatedly, they are building their understanding of abstract ideas, patterns, and concepts. Children engage in repetitive behavior such as building and knocking down block towers, dumping out toys, or mixing materials together, which can sometimes be irritating to adults. Children's Lively Minds looks at these actions through a schema lens to help teachers and parents understand what is really going on in the children's brain development when they engage in this repetitive behavior. This book is practical, user-friendly, and filled with stories about real children developing schema. Also included are reflection questions and advice for teachers on how to extend support for children's schema exploration and how to relate this information to families on what they might be seeing at home.

Although it is helpful to read the book sequentially, readers can dip in and out of the narrative stories. This book can be used across all early childhood approaches--Reggio, Montessori, Waldorf, etc. Deb Curtis is very popular with Reggio Emilia practitioners. Schema theory is being used by early childhood educators and parents whether they know it or not. This book puts intention behind actions. Deb Curtis' most recent book, Really Seeing Children (published by Exchange Press; 2017), has struggled to stay in-stock. In the first year, they have had to reprint several times.