Why promote fine motor skills more? Fine motor skills are those smaller hand and finger movements such as picking up small objects, using pencils using a pincer grip and threading thin pieces of string. These fine motor skills are essential for children to be able to form letters and write once they are ready. Practitioners will often support writing development through … [Read more...]
Managing whole group behaviour
Different behaviour management methods Recently here at EYC we have had a lot of practitioners getting in touch asking for support and advice in handling group behaviour and behaviour management. A common complaint at the moment seems to be the general behaviour of a whole class/group/room of children rather than just one or two children with behavioural issues. This can … [Read more...]
What makes a good learning journal?
Are your learning journals outstanding and relevant? Learning journals vary greatly from setting to setting and commonly many learning journals are now completed through online apps and websites. As there is no clear set way of completing a learning journal it can sometimes be difficult to judge what should be included; whether there is too much or too little, photos or no … [Read more...]
Could your setting do more to promote Maths?
How can I check my maths provision is outstanding? Sometimes when you work in the same room day after day, with the same provision, and the same resources it can become difficult to think outside the box and evaluate your own provision. Maths can become a very standardised area which is always accessible but rarely used in the correct ways. For example sorting bears become … [Read more...]
10 skills children should learn before starting school
Essential skills children should learn before starting school Back in 2014 Ofsted called for a checklist to be issued to parents regarding the 10 skills children should learn before starting school. Of this, it includes being toilet trained and talking in sentences. The reasoning behind this checklist being issued to parents is that according to Ofsted to many children were … [Read more...]
Supporting children’s emotional wellbeing through home learning resources
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...]
