106 articles in this category

Writing in the Early Years
by Varinder Kaur Johal on August 10, 2021
Educator Varinder Kaur Johal shares her thoughts and ideas on children's early writing - from the child development that supports writing to creating opportunities to mark make. 
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Exploring support for children with English as an Additional Language …
by Sejal Payne on July 14, 2022
Education Consultant Sejal Payne reflects on how we can support our young learners of EAL. 
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Choosing a school as your child transitions to Reception
by Alicia Wilkins on October 19, 2022
Early Years Practitioner and Tiney home nursery leader, Alicia Wilkins, shares her experience of looking for a school for her son, with advice for families and reminding early years educators of all the emotions that parents/carers feel.
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Replacing the topic box of stereotypes
by Alicia Wilkins on September 13, 2022
This month we revisit an article by Early Years Practitioner and Tiney home nursery leader, Alicia Wilkins, which asks us to reflect on the diversity and representation that must be embedded in our practice every moment of every day. 
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“On my way to nursery…my teacher walked with me!”
by Sarah Holmes on February 28, 2024
Early years educator Sarah Holmes reflects on how we can use 'third spaces' to rethink home visits.
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Technology in the early years
by Richard Waite on May 15, 2023
Early Years Educator Richard Waite shares his passion for helping us all to understand the importance of sharing technology with young children. 
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Reflections of a Male Early Years Educator
by Richard Waite on April 10, 2024
Early Years educator Richard Waite looks back on a long - and ongoing - career in the early years. 
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Cultivating Curiosity in Young Children - A Practitioner's Journey
by Ann-Marie Piper on May 13, 2024
Early Years educator Ann-Maire Piper reflects on using open-ended play to cultivate curiosity in young children. 
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Engaging children in conversations about diversity, discrimination, an…
by Fifi Benham on April 27, 2021
Early Years educator and pre-school Deputy Manager Fifi Benham reflects on why we need to have conversations with young children about diversity, and how looking more closely at ourselves, and the resources in our setting, can support this. 
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‘Exercising the imagination’ Big bang! Small hands… Big ideas! Creativ…
by Pete Moorhouse on January 10, 2022
Early years creative consultant and artist educator, Pete Moorhouse, describes the joy of woodwork for young children, and the creative and critical thinking skills and personal development that woodwork offers. 
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The 3R' s Re-imagined
by Leslie Patterson on June 29, 2020
Early Years consultant Leslie Patterson shares her re-imagining of a curriculum for our youngest children in the wake of the current pandemic as we await the changes to the EYFS. 
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Pack-away power
by Anneka Russell on March 15, 2022
Early Years consultant Anneka Russell reflects on the hugely important role played by 'pack-away' nurseries in their communities. 
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Teaching and learning mathematics in the early years: a cognitive load…
by Linda Pound on February 4, 2022
Early years consultant and author, Linda Pound, explores Cognitive Load Theory and how to support young children's Mathematical development. 
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Love and Play for Building Brains
by Carly Budd on August 17, 2022
Developmental play expert Carly Budd explains the importance of play for babies' brain development. 
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'Words come too easily’: exploring compliments and the impact they can…
by Caroline Vollans on December 10, 2021
Caroline Vollans takes a closer look at compliments and their impact on young children. 
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Parental engagement: rethinking support for families with children wit…
by Caroline Vollans on July 15, 2021
Caroline Vollans shares the journey of Buttercup Group, a small Stay and Play provision for parents and carers with children with learning differences. 
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Urban planning and risk aversion: an interview with Tim Gill
by Caroline Vollans on March 11, 2022
Caroline Vollans interviews play specialist Tim Gill. 
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Intergenerational learning and care part 2: An Intergenerational Nurse…
by Caroline Vollans on August 17, 2022
Caroline Vollans finds out more about the first Intergenerational Nursery in the UK. 
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'I felt supported, safe and understood': Community based support for …
by Suma Din on February 7, 2023
Author, researcher and educator Suma Din shares the narratives of educators and mothers about their experience of community based support. 
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Joining the Dots of Diversity and Inclusion in Early Childhood
by Dr Chandrika Devarakonda on November 10, 2021
Associate Professor of Diversity & Inclusion, Dr Chandrika Devarakonda, discusses two models that can support our understanding of diversity and inclusion, both in the part each individual plays, and in a wider context. 
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A Reflection Toolkit: supporting educators to reflect on their provisi…
by Ann Lowe on April 25, 2022
Ann Lowe, Early Years Inclusion Officer with Doncaster EY Service, shares the reflective journey that led to the Reflection Toolkit, designed to support educators to consider their provision for children with learning differences.
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Looking forward, going back...
by Alistair Bryce-Clegg on September 16, 2020
Alistair Bryce-Clegg takes a look at the adaptations we need to make, and the good practice we need to hold onto, as we welcome a new learning year. 
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To Decolonise or Diversify? Is that the question?
by Adam Vasco on February 9, 2022
Adam Vasco, who leads the 3-7 Early Years Post Graduate Route at Liverpool John Moores University, reflects on the learning and unlearning that needs to happen to decolonise and diversify our education spaces and curriculums.   
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The Historical Context of Outdoor Learning and the Role of the Practit…
by Michaela Machan on June 6, 2016
You could be forgiven for thinking that outdoor play is a relatively new phenomenon, driven by The National Trust (2016) and their ‘50 Things to do before you’re 11¾’ project.  Children and being outside seems to be a recurrent theme in the media a…
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Supporting parents to understand the benefits of ‘risky’ play
by Dr. Lala Manners on May 10, 2019
Why has ‘risk-taking’ become such a negative concept in children’s lives – or used so loosely as to defy any purpose or definition? ‘Challenging play’ and ‘adventurous play’ are considered acceptable and essential – but ‘risky play’ causes much con…
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