This weeks guest blog is from Juliet Robertson. Juliet is one of Scotland’s leading education consultants who specialises in outdoor learning and play. She works at a national level delivering training, giving keynote speeches, leading and supporting innovative outdoor projects and writing content for websites, documents and case studies. She is passionate about enabling schools, play organisations and early years settings to provide quality outdoor learning and play opportunities for children and young people. You might have already discovered her website Creative Star Learning and her blog I’m a Teacher, Get Me Outside Here! Today, she is going to be talking about mini maths measures… Mini Maths Measures That Make a Difference Creating a maths-rich outdoor environment … Read More
Self-regulation in the EYFS: Unfit for Purpose. Guest Post from Mine Conkbayir
Self-regulation in the EYFS: Unfit for Purpose. I have been writing and talking about the fundamental importance of understanding self-regulation (SR) and the neuroscience of early brain development for well over a decade and in this time, I am disappointed to have not seen it feature in early years (EY) qualifications or training as mandatory practice. However, recently, things have changed and SR (which simply put, is the individual’s ability to manage big emotions and their resulting behaviours and to return to a state of calm) has become the ‘’buzzword’’ in the EY sector. ‘What’s the problem?’ you may well ask. Based on my observations, a few key issues come to mind including the proliferation of unscrupulous consultants who have … Read More
Sand Tray Inspiration…
I have been in Leicester City all of this week finishing a year long project looking at effective EYFS practice and its impact on progress and attainment. It has been great to see some of the amazing things that the children have achieved. I was talking (a lot) about the importance of sand and water play in EYFS and beyond and how it can be a vehicle for unlimited learning. It can be really easy to get ‘stuck’ when it comes to provision for these areas that takes learning forward rather than children just ending up doing the same old thing. Well, here is a bit of sand/texture tray inspiration from one of my favourite blogs. If this doesn’t want … Read More
The Power of Joyful Learning.
Most UK schools went back for the new school year this week. Lots of practitioners will have had a sleepless night before their first day back. It doesn’t matter how many years you have been doing it and how familiar you are with your team and your space, there is something nerve wracking about that first day. If it is unsettling for us as adults – imagine what it is like for the children! It takes TIME to become comfortable in your surroundings, TIME to get used to new people, TIME to understand the rules and routines, TIME to feel part of the gang. These early days are hugely important and can have a massive impact on children’s wellbeing, learning … Read More