Why the foundation stage curriculum shouldn’t end at 5 The current early year's foundation stage supports a child through early development up to the age of five through a play-based curriculum. Once a child has completed reception class at the age of 5, they then move onto the national curriculum and begin more formalised teaching. This … [Read more...] about Extending the foundation stage curriculum past the age of 5
Learning and Development
5 resources to encourage early mathematical language
These 5 resources are designed to support children's mathematical language skills Children will need to gain an understanding of mathematical language in order to develop their skills in number, shape, space and measure; however maths can be a difficult area of development to resource for across the age groups. Compare bears, unifix cubes … [Read more...] about 5 resources to encourage early mathematical language
5 large group time activities to do with young children
Top 5 large group time activities Group time is a great way for children to learn together and to learn from one another through scaffolding, however when faced with a large group of children group time can sometimes be daunting and difficult to manage. Managing a large group time session When planning group time activities try to have a … [Read more...] about 5 large group time activities to do with young children
5 great story sack ideas
Great ideas on how to extend 5 favourite stories into a story sack A Story sack can be a great resource to use with the children. They can extend a story and support children in a range of development areas. The sacks are often made up using a story book and visual aids or activities that are based around the story. This can help children to … [Read more...] about 5 great story sack ideas
Implementing Children’s Individual Planning
An easy way to introduce children's individual planning For many early years practitioners, the thought of introducing children's individual planning can be stressful, and many practitioners don't know where to start with the idea. Children's individual planning can bring many benefits for both practitioners and children. For practitioners, it … [Read more...] about Implementing Children’s Individual Planning
Should children pretend play with guns?
Should children be encouraged to use guns or weapons in their pretend play? Play guns have always caused a stir amongst Early Years providers, with many debating the positives and negatives of encouraging imaginative play using weapons. Most children, especially boys, will go through a stage of pretending to use guns or weapons in their play, … [Read more...] about Should children pretend play with guns?
Creating an outdoor classroom
An outdoor classroom is a valuable resource and can provide a range of benefits to the children's development. The outdoor classroom is a crucial learning environment, enabling some learning to take place that simply does not inside. It is a good idea to allow free flow from the indoors to the outside environment for the children to access; this … [Read more...] about Creating an outdoor classroom
Top 5 outdoor summer activities
5 great activities to do outside this summer! Summer is a lovely time to work in childcare, with lots of fun to be had in your outdoor environment in the great weather. It is a great opportunity for the children to get messy and explore activities on a larger scale, whilst building on all areas of development. Here are 5 lovely activities … [Read more...] about Top 5 outdoor summer activities
8 great activities to promote shape and measure
Shape and measure is an important aspect of mathematical development. Children need to learn about shapes in their environment and the concept of measure in order to gain spatial awareness and mathematical understanding. Here are 8 easy to do activities to promote shape and measure Shape hunt in the environment - Children are natural … [Read more...] about 8 great activities to promote shape and measure
Using Mark Making to aid children’s development
Encourage mark making as a way of supporting early writing skills Whether or not children should be being taught to write in the early years is always up for debate with practitioners feeling either strongly for or against children writing while in early years settings. Many forget that the early years outcomes follow children into … [Read more...] about Using Mark Making to aid children’s development