Creating a Language-Rich Environment and Communication Curriculum: Communication and language skills are critical for improving quality of life for young people. However, children with SEN or disadvantaged backgrounds often lag in early language development, resulting in long-term challenges to progress. A well-planned communication curriculum in early childhood (EYFS, Nursery or Kindergarten) is essential to build…
5 Simple Halloween Craft Activities (18m-3yrs) Are you ready to dive into the spooky and creative world of Halloween crafts with your little one? In this article, we have compiled five fantastic Halloween craft activities that are not only guaranteed to ignite your toddler’s imagination but are also perfect for nursery or kindergarten classes. From…
5 Quiet Toddler Activities – Ideas for Independent Play As a dad of three toddlers over the years, I know how hard it can be to find some peace and quiet in the house. Sometimes, I just need a few minutes to catch up on some work, make a phone call, or take a breather….
Building Your Middle Leadership Team In the complex ecosystem of a school, leadership is not confined to the top. Middle leaders (department heads, assistant headteachers, etc.) play a pivotal role in driving school performance and improving teaching and learning. In many ways, middle leaders are the bridge between senior management and teaching staff, translating strategic…
Imagination Play Benefits: Why Kids Need It and How to Promote It Imagination play, or pretend or creative play, is a vital part of childhood and has a huge number of benefits. When children engage in make-believe scenarios, take on exciting roles, and experiment with unique storylines, they reap tremendous developmental benefits. Whether it’s a…
The Best Home Made Sensory Toys for Autistic Children For autistic children, finding easy DIY ways to engage their senses and promote self-regulation can be incredibly beneficial. Home made Sensory toys are a great tool for providing stimulating and calming experiences, and homemade sensory toys can be even more valuable because of their personal touch and…
Playing the Game of Marbles: A Fun and Educational Activity for Children Marbles are small, round, and colourful balls that have been around for centuries. They are not only fun to play with but also offer many educational benefits for children of all ages. In this article, we will explore some of the ways that…
Understanding the Cycle of Challenging Behaviour: A Guide for Teachers As teachers, we often encounter a range of behaviours in our classrooms, some of which can be challenging and disruptive. Understanding the cycle of challenging behaviour is crucial in managing these behaviours effectively and providing supportive learning environments for all students. This understanding can help…
Autumn is a beautiful and fascinating season that can ignite wonder in early years children. As the colours change from green to amber, orange and red, young minds start to notice the changes of the seasons. This season offers endless opportunities for hands-on learning experiences. In this article, we have compiled 100 autumn-themed activity ideas…
Eye-Palming For Improving Teacher Wellbeing If you see a teacher with their head in their hands at their desk all may not be as bad as it seems they may be palming! Teaching is widely recognised as a demanding, high-stress profession. Heavy workloads, time pressures, all contribute to teacher stress and burnout. This not only…
Autistic Nesting: What Does It Mean & What Is It For? Autism, a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by differences in social interaction and communication, is often accompanied by unique sensory experiences. One such behavior that has attracted limited attention but makes perfect sense is ‘Autistic Nesting’, a fascinating aspect of the autism spectrum experience. This article…
What is an Anchor Chart? A classroom anchor chart is a visual teaching tool that is used to support learning in the classroom. It is a large piece of paper or chart that is displayed in the classroom and used to record and display important information about a lesson or topic. We have written before…
15 Halloween Play Dough Activity Ideas for 2023 Fall is here and that means Halloween is just around the corner. It’s the perfect time to engage the little ones in exciting and spooky crafts. One of the most versatile and child-friendly materials you can use for these activities is play dough. Not only does it…
Supporting Children with Speech and Language Impairments in the Classroom Communication is a critical life skill that allows us to express our needs, build relationships, exchange information, and make sense of the world around us. For children with Speech and Language Impairments, developing strong communication abilities is essential not just for academic success, but for…
What is Executive Functioning? Executive functioning refers to the cognitive processes that enable us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks successfully. It includes skills like working memory, mental flexibility, and self-control. Students rely on these skills to regulate their behaviour, organise their thoughts, and problem-solve. Executive functioning skills start developing in…
EYFS Interview Questions The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) staff play a crucial role in the development of children in their formative years. As such, the recruitment process for these positions is thorough and seeks to gauge both the professional competency and personal attributes of candidates. If you’re preparing for an EYFS interview in the…
The Importance of a Pre-Interview School Visit As a prospective headteacher, you are likely aware of the critical role that school visits play in the selection process. A pre-interview visit to a school is not merely a formality; it’s an invaluable opportunity to glean insights about the school’s ethos, culture, operations, challenges and strategic focus….
How To Answer: What qualities can you bring to our nursery? Working in an early childhood education setting like a nursery school requires a specific set of skills and qualities tailored to engaging with and educating young learners. During a nursery assistant interview, candidates will likely be asked some version of “What qualities can you…
STEM-based provocations for early years settings A provocation in the classroom is something that stimulates a response or action. It is based on children’s interests and curiosity. We love play based learning and storytelling on this site and STEAM based provocations seemed like a fantastic next step. A Sensory lesson plan for exploring The Three…
The Importance of Trauma-Informed Parenting Childhood is often considered a time of joy, exploration, and innocence. However, for some children, these early years can be tainted by experiences of trauma. Whether it’s through neglect, abuse, the loss of a loved one, witnessing violence, or living through a natural disaster, trauma can significantly impact a child’s…
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