For a long time professionals have acknowledged the link between learning the piano and language development. Recently this has been further supported by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. A study carried out by the institute found that nursery aged children greatly benefitted from learning the piano. The learning of such an … [Read more...] about Link Between Learning the Piano and Language Development
Learning and Development
More attention needed for the benefits of Music
How music can help children's development The benefits of music are enormous; both consciously and subconsciously music is a part of our everyday life. Children are exposed to music through songs we sing to celebrate birthdays, nursery rhymes, lullabies and songs we sing to our children. Music helps improve a child’s dexterity and ability it … [Read more...] about More attention needed for the benefits of Music
Supporting Communication
How to support children's communication From the outset it is second nature to support a child’s communication; parents often do this without thinking. Talking and listening to their child repeating their coos as a baby, singing and reading to them. Outside influences such as nursery see their vocabulary grow but can sometimes be the … [Read more...] about Supporting Communication
The importance of language development
How practitioners can support children language development Language development is always a hot topic and with the success of the ‘Every child a talker’ campaign (a national programme to develop language and communication) children birth to five are reaping the results. The importance of supporting new parents and developing practitioners with … [Read more...] about The importance of language development
The legacy of Jerome Bruner
Great influencer Jerome Bruner Jerome Bruner The legacy of Jerome Bruner who was an eminent Psychologist, professor and researcher whose work greatly influenced theories on early year’s education and the four modes of thinking and how they affect performance is evident. He is held in high regard in the field of early years … [Read more...] about The legacy of Jerome Bruner
Does Christmas bring out the worst practice in the early years?
The Christmas period leads to practitioners falling in to old methods of practice Christmas is always an exciting time of years in the early years with many young children besotted by the magic and wonder created around Christmas time. Not only is this time of year well loved by children, practitioners and parents are also often very fond of … [Read more...] about Does Christmas bring out the worst practice in the early years?
Is play often unnecessarily interrupted?
Are children suffering because of routine disturbing valuable play? Everyone who works in the foundation stage is very much aware that the EYFS is a play based curriculum and the value that play hold for children. There are many different types of play, each having a variety of benefits. Meaningful play where children are fully engaged is the … [Read more...] about Is play often unnecessarily interrupted?
Are your planned next steps meaningful?
Planning to promote children's next steps Everyone working in early years is very aware of the importance of supporting children to reach their next steps. There are many ways of doing this from specific boards, on planning sheets, or from wow moments achieve that are in learning journals. However, recently it has been suggested by Ofsted … [Read more...] about Are your planned next steps meaningful?
Is creating a provocation simply adult led learning?
What is a provocation? We have a great, more in depth article here detailing exactly what a provocation is which you may like to read first. However, in simple terms a provocation is something which is set up to 'provoke' learning. This may be a photo, a book, a display area, an example piece of work etc.... This seems to be a very … [Read more...] about Is creating a provocation simply adult led learning?
Why all preschools should have a pen pal class
What is a pen pal class? The pen pal concept seems to be a very outdated one however there are so many benefits that it would be great to see children taking this up again. A pen pal class is where one class would sit and compose letters to another class somewhere else in the country or even in the world. It can be brought in to the … [Read more...] about Why all preschools should have a pen pal class