All early childhood educators know that play is an integral part of a child’s learning. But there is much more to the science of play than meets the eye. This must-read book calls on teachers to focus more deeply on specific modes of play to promote concept formation from an early age.  As Kriegler explains, if children only ever free play, educators miss a vital chance to design engaging learning projects and scaffold students’ conceptual understanding of the world around them. In Edu-Chameleon, Kriegler offers ways to engage the minds and imaginations of young children at the level that is appropriate to their current ability, whilst simultaneously laying foundations for future success.  Written for educators of children aged three to nine years, including preschool assistants, teacher aides, degree qualified teachers, leaders and curriculum designers, this practical guide outlines how to identify and utilise the endless opportunities in the classroom to enhance concept-based understanding for learning all subjects including a solid foundation for STEM. And to do it in a way that is absorbing and appealing to children. Over 30 years working with teachers across a variety of early education settings, Kriegler has deepened her understanding of knowledge. She explores knowledge at its atomic level of language and concept acquisition and explains that knowledge is static unless it is actively mobilised. She commences the book explaining the process of language and concept acquisition and later presents seven dynamic learning zones each with a different relationship between the educator and the child. In some zones children have extensive freedom to follow their own actions and ideas, in others, their freedom is intentionally narrowed, but their learning is deepened through engaging provocations. Each zone has its own definition, methodology and structure. 

The seven learning zones are:·        
* Free play
* Mediated play
* Embedded concepts
* Concept clarity
* Closed-ended mobilisation
* Open-ended mobilisation
* Auto-generative creativity

This book is designed to be an accessible companion for educators looking for ways to refine their knowledge about concept formation to augment the value, purpose and precision of everything that is already planned, assessed, said and done in the normal course of teaching practice. The best thing about the strategies found in Edu-Chameleon is that they don’t add time to educators’ already jam-packed schedules, they maximise the impact of that time. In four well-structured parts, the book engages with current trends in the early years’ landscape, explores how concepts are formed and deployed in the learning curriculum, presents the seven learning zones with their unique characteristics and provides a handy collection of lists and resources to help educators in the classroom. Kriegler says, ‘There is little that intrigues and excites me more in my teaching role than seeing children in flow as they challenge themselves to learn, think, create and communicate. Concepts, insights, thoughts, the mastery of techniques and skills – all inspire and interest me whether they are encountered in preschool, primary, secondary or tertiary settings. This is equally true in my consultancy when educators encounter ideas and gain insights that transform their practice’. After reading this book, educators will have the confidence to elevate their practice with every word they speak. Their competence will be amplified, and the learning dynamics in their classrooms will be positively realigned. Rather than seeing play as one-dimensional, educators will become agile Edu-Chameleons, leveraging the seven dynamic learning zones, to magnify the concept-based understanding and cognition of their students every day.

Lili-Ann Kriegler (B. A Hons, H. Dip. Ed, M.Ed.) is a Melbourne-based education consultant and author of Edu-Chameleon. Lili-Ann’s primary specialisations are in early childhood education (birth-9 years), leadership and optimising human thinking and cognition.  Her current part-time role is as an education consultant at Independent Schools Victoria and she runs her own consultancy, Kriegler-Education. Find out more at https://kriegler-education.comLili-Ann writes to share the wisdom she has acquired through her training and 30 years experience in education. She is a child, parent and family advocate who believes that education is a transformative force for humanity. The family is a highly influential social unit. Experience within the family impacts the quality of  scholastic performance  and life success. Her contnetion is that the quality of families, in all their infinite variety,  determines the quality of society.Lili-Anns second book, ROOTS AND WINGs  - A parents guide to learning and communication with children to forge a family with mettle, is in editing and will be published in the first quarter of 2022. The central idea of the book is that the family is a mettle foundry where parents have the privilege of being able to guide their children on a journey of self-actualisation bu creating a positive family culture. As an author and consultant with experience at all levels of education, she provides consultancy in curriculum design, concept-based teaching, school transition for enhanced thinking and pedagogical leadership. She is a senior trainer for the Feuerstein Institute, the International Centre for Enhanced Cognitive Potential (ICELP). She has visited the Infant-Toddler centres and Preschools in Reggio Emilia and attended advanced study tours. The pedagogy of the schools has greatly influenced her image of educators, teachers and families.Lili-Ann is an engaging speaker. In her presentations, whether to small workshop groups or auditoriums, her knowledge is peppered with stories and practical examples. She tailors presentations to the specific needs of schools and groups of educators. She also does one on one mentoring sessions for educators. Lili-Ann Kriegler is based in Melbourne, Australia. Through the pandemic she has harnessed the opportunities of the zoom platform to present workshops and seminars nationally and internationally in India and Israel.

* A consistent thread running through reviews of the Amazon bestselling book,  Edu-Chameleon, is that Kriegler has an engaging voice and communicates complex ideas for early childhood educators so they are accessible and easy to undertand.
* The chapters in Edu-Chameleon are all summarised for easy review. 
* Edu-Chameleon is the perfect blend between an accessible presentation of  theoretical bases of education, side by side with the practical advice about how educators can use it.
* The central metaphor of Edu-Chameleon celebrates the fact that educators need to be agile in how they accomplish their core purpose - to educate an infinite variety of children. This book offers seven distinctive learning zones, each with its own child/teacher relationship, methodology and characteristics to give educators clarity about the different ways they might work and structure their environment to best serve these children.
*  A truth about observation is that we only see what we are looking for. Edu-Chameleon is a well-structured, easy read for educators interested in honing their skills of observation to develop children’s conceptual understanding of the world around them. And they will do this without adding time to their busy schedules. Because they are guided to identify and deploy concepts in a way they didn’t before, they will see their environment anew and optimise everything for learning.
* Part D of the  book is a valuable collection of handy lists and resources for busy teachers.
* In Edu-Chameleon, Kriegler brings a wealth of knowledge from her roles as early years’ director and education consultant to create a valuable, entertaining handbook solidly based on secondary research. In it educators will find both well-established and wonderfully creative ideas to educate children 3-9 years of age in a way that captures and enlivens their imaginations.  
* Edu-Chamelon achieved Amazon Bestseller status on 3 August 2021 in several education categories:  
* Amazon #1 Bestseller:  Elementary School
 * Preschool & Kindergarten
* Number Systems
* Parent Participation in Education
* Science & Maths
* Mathematics
* Study & Teaching in Mathematics
* Schools & Teachings
* Study Skills
* Education Theory
* Science Education Creativity
* Technology
* General Technology & Reference
* Education & Reference

* On 7 March 2022 Edu-Chameleon was awarded a Silver Literary Award in the Education Category by the US organisation Reader Views. The book went through three rounds of judging including appearing on the list of finalists and was then awarded  silver. This recognition gives educators confidence that the contents of Edu-Chameleon was judged to be of value by assessors well versed in education. To see the review, follow this link: https://readerviewsarchives.wordpress.com/2021/07/27/reviewkrieglereduchameleon/

Publicity:

* For three months from June to September  in 2021, I engaged a publicist to distribute information about the book and media articles related to its content. More than 20 articles appeared in online and print media between July and December 2021. These are available to read in my RSS feed: https://authory.com/kriegler-education.
* On the back of the publication of an article last year I now have a partnership agreement with Kiddipedia, a highly esteemed parent and child media platform and I write a monthy blog which appears on their website. The book will be avaliable in their e-commerce store. 
* The book was launched online by Dr Avis Ridgway, an Early Years Professor at Monash University.
* I have an Amazon author central profile, where people can purchase the book, leave reviews and read my latest blogs. 
* I regularly publish information about the book on my LinkedIn profile with over 750 followers.
* When face to face activity resumes after the COVID pandemic settles, I will include the book as part of the package for seminars and workshops.
* I have a website: https://www.kriegler-education.com which I keep updated with any news related to the book and any media appearances.
* I have a profile on https://www.educationinfluence.com. This is a global community of education influencers many with very large followers.
* I am planning to create a profile on GROWLA, a global education platform with a large following in China.

Lili-Ann’s presentation skills are excellent – she personalised conversations, used our names, told anecdotal stories and asked for feedback. The pacing of the content was great, with a combination of direct teaching, one on one questions, peer conversations and active engagement which worked well. There was also time for substantive conversation with other participants which helped to solidify our knowledge of the course. - Judith Kahler Tamborine Mountain State School, Queensland 

I thought your presentation was excellent, and the group was wholly engaged and on-task, even when we were tired and a bit brain-fried! You had a lovely mix of stories, anecdotes, physical movement, activities and theory, all presented with your very engaging and gentle style. - Kerry Gambley, Junior Music, SEPC Teacher, EATSIPS Team, QTU Representative Tamborine Mountain State School, Queensland

I have known Lili-Ann since 2007, when I was a PhD student at the University of Western Australia and she was involved in professional advocacy through the Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange. As a head of school, her commitment to bold ideas, professional outreach, and intellectual support of her teachers was evident to me at the time. I have since been privileged to work closely with Lili- Ann in her capacity as consultant for Independent Schools Victoria and I’ve found her to be a productive, thoughtful, engaged and imaginative collaborator who I could always depend on, and who seminar participants trusted deeply. - Dr Stefania Giamminuti, Senior Lecturer, Early Childhood Education, School of Education Curtin University, WA