Learning and Development

 Ideas on how to use Christmas to focus on mark making Christmas is the time where children can be writing letters to Father Christmas or Christmas cards to their loved ones or designing their own bauble. There are many other mark making opportunities that can be incorporated into the learning environment. Let’s take a look at some of the … [Read more...] about Use Christmas to focus on Mark making

 How to make drawing and painting fun Some children enjoy drawing and painting than others, therefore it is important to help those that are less reluctant. Children are more likely to enjoy drawing and painting if they are interested and feel comfortable doing so. Make sure you provide children with the right mark making tools and be a … [Read more...] about 5 top tips to help children enjoy drawing and painting

  Offering children a variety of activities to support painting and drawing can help them learn different skills. If children were just given pencils to draw with they wouldn't learn new ways of making marks with other implements. Children can make marks with a wide range of resources not just pencils and crayons. Why not investigate using … [Read more...] about 5 painting and drawing activities for children

Looking at the stages of children's drawings Children will often show more ease when drawing rather than painting, this is due to children developing control in using those mark making implements. However it is just as important to ensure children are given the opportunity to explore paint as they enjoy the sensory experience. As early … [Read more...] about Stages of children’s drawings

Early Writing Skills – How to start your child’s writing skills by Danny Lydon A child’s development of early writing skills doesn’t start the first time they pick up a crayon, there are behaviours and physical elements of development that need to take place to support their fine motor movements. Children have to learn to do things BIG before they … [Read more...] about Early Writing Skills

Easy and simple ways to support children's Mathematical development in Nursery For some practitioner's planning mathematical activities can have it challenges. Having a clear understanding of what maths is can really help when it comes to providing those quality maths experiences. It is not always about ensuring you are offering maths … [Read more...] about Supporting children’s Mathematical Development in Nursery

 Why sensory play can be beneficial for children's development Sensory play allows children to use all their senses, it is great way for children of all ages to learn about different textures as well as using their noses to determine what it smells like. For children, sensory play is about letting them explore new textures and learning new … [Read more...] about Sensory Play in the Early Years

What is the difference between handwriting and writing? For those working in the early years the difference between handwriting and writing is more clearly understood however for parents this can sometimes be more confusing. Learning to write is of course linked to handwriting, forming letters.  In early years writing is known as scribbles, … [Read more...] about The confusion of handwriting and writing

Giving children a choice is so important in the early years and this is reflected through the EYFS documents. Not only does it support best practice and show you are promoting the EYFS outcomes, meeting the every child matters outcomes but also shows you are meeting children's rights. Allowing children to have a voice is stated as basic rights by … [Read more...] about The importance of giving children a voice