Pica, an educational consultant, author, and radio host specializing in education of the whole child, children's physical activity, and developmentally appropriate practice, provides 29 essays on what is developmentally appropriate for children in early childhood and elementary classrooms, considering what would change in education if everyone understood child development. The essays draw on research, anecdotal evidence, stories of teachers and parents, and the views of education, child development, play research, neuroscience, and other experts. They address topics like how all children are not the same, the need for hugging, the problematic sexualization of girls, fostering cooperation and not competition, the brain/body dichotomy, active learning, play, physical fitness, the need for recess, authentic learning, self-led learning, the problems with testing, valuing mistakes, teaching handwriting, the problems with homework, the arts, use of false praise, and time-outs. Annotation ©2015 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)