Working in partnership is key to supporting emotional wellbeing There are many changes, transitions and difficulties that children can face in the early years and one of the most effective ways to support a child is to work in close partnership with parents. Parents may not always want to immediately make you aware that a child is experiencing a change or difficulty. … [Read more...]
How to increase interest in mark making on paper
The importance of children enjoying mark making Mark making in the early years is not be confused with handwriting and does not mean children must be sat learning to form letters however early mark making skills such as drawing, scribbles, circles, painting, making marks in messy play using tools or fingers are all important skills that need to be mastered. These skills … [Read more...]
Why you should have potion making in the EYFS out every day
How to set up a potion making area Potion making in the EYFS is great fun and has so many benefits for children in the early years. It's a great activity to have available daily and can involve as many or as few potion-making ingredients as you have available. These can include wet, dry, reusable or disposable materials depending on what you have to offer. Potion making is … [Read more...]
Ways to make story time more fun
Five simple ways to make story time come alive and engaging for children Reading aloud and sharing stories with children of all ages is highly important, it can help many areas of children's development. It can contribute to boosting their language development while inspiring them to enjoy books. Storytelling can help bring children's imagination alive, developing curiosity, … [Read more...]
Why all settings should use story sacks
What are the benefits of story sacks? Using story sacks in your Early Years Setting is an excellent way to create and sustain an interest in books. Children enjoy fun and interactive activities, and this is a perfect way to allow children to be more hands on during story time, stimulating their minds and imagination by bringing stories to life. It creates another … [Read more...]
Should the early years stop messy food play?
Do you think the early years should stop messy food play? Messy play and messy food play have played a large role in early years development and learning for many, many years. This is because of the sensory benefits and because all seven areas of the early year's foundation stage can be promoted through messy play and messy food play. Food is often used in other ways in … [Read more...]
Top 5 parachute games for children in the early years
What are the benefits of parachute games? Parachute games are great for children in the early years and can easily entertain a large group of children. These are great for children of all ages and abilities which makes them an incredibly popular purchase by early years settings. There are many benefits of playing parachute games, these … [Read more...]
Supporting daily transition
How to support a child with horizontal transitions When you think about transitions during the early years, you usually think of joining the setting, moving rooms for example from baby room to toddler room within the setting or starting school, these are usually defined as vertical transitions. Practitioners are very aware of these types of transitions and have activities … [Read more...]
Why not try transient art in your setting?
Do you know what transient art is? Have you ever heard of Transient art?Many settings incorporate this into their rooms, it is not something new, it is based on loose parts play. Transient art is known as moveable art, it is a collection of materials that children create a picture from, The materials that are used are open-ended resources, and there is no permanent … [Read more...]
Why playdough should be available daily
Do you have playdough out daily? Playdough has so many fantastic benefits for children and it can be very quickly, easily and cheaply made. If you don’t know how to make playdough follow this link to some great simple recipes in child-friendly units of measure so the children can help you make it too. You can use tools or not, have a set activity in mind or not and can use … [Read more...]
What is Child Led Planning
Claire Willan discussing Child Led Planning Once you get your head around the idea and the way your going to implement this within the setting you will never look back. When I first started my carer in childcare I can remember having weekly / termly themes running. Which changed when the children got bored or staff, which ever came first. Themes were influenced … [Read more...]
Physical Activity Guidelines – What are these?
Understanding of the Chief Medical Officers Guidelines for Physical Activity Within the new revised Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, there is now a mention of the Chief Medical Officers guidelines for physical activity. For some practitioners and managers, this information may be new, therefore by reading this article, it will help professionals … [Read more...]
Top 5 simple science activities to do in the early years
Introducing science into everyday practice Science is a great way to get children excited and intrigued about learning and discovering more. It’s a brilliant way to engage the characteristics of effective learning especially active learning and critically thinking. There are some simple science activities that can be completed with children in the early years that don’t take a … [Read more...]
How do I make playdough? – Top 5 playdough recipes
Making playdough with the children Find below 5 top playdough recipes in child-friendly units of measure so the children can easily be involved in the playdough making process. Recipe 1, super stretchy dough – 1. 1 cup of hair conditioner (This also makes the playdough scented so buying fruity or strong smelling conditioners makes this, even more, … [Read more...]
Introducing rolling snack
Benefits of Introducing rolling snack Rolling snack has been a concept which has floated around the early years for many years with some settings enjoying offering rolling snack and others struggling to make it work. Rolling snack can be very beneficial for the children if you find a way of incorporating rolling snack that works for your setting. Rolling snack involves the … [Read more...]
