Why and How to Use Praise with Children with SEN Specific praise is an effective and powerful tool for supporting children with special educational needs (SEN). It can help reinforce behaviour for learning, build self-esteem, and encourage the child to develop a growth mindset. : Importance of Specific Praise for Children with SEN: For children … Read more
The Stereognostic Sense in Montessori Education In the multi-sensory world of a Montessori classroom, the focus extends beyond just sight and sound. Here, the oft-overlooked stereognostic sense is vital for cultivating cognitive development and independent learning. But what exactly is this enigmatic “stereognostic sense“? What is the Stereognostic Sense? The stereognostic sense, also known as … Read more
Mastering the Art of Navigating Power Struggles with Children I’ve witnessed countless power struggles between parents and their children unfold over the years. These battles of wills, fueled by a delicate interplay of developmental needs, emotional bonds, and the ever-shifting dynamics of authority and independence, are an unavoidable part of parenting. However, rather than viewing … Read more
Joint Attention Ideas Joint attention refers to how people, in this case, children, coordinate attention between social partners concerning objects or events and involves initiating and responding to bids for the shared focus of gaze and action. It is a crucial developmental milestone that emerges in infancy and sets the foundation for more complex social … Read more
Object Permanence: The Role in Child Development Children’s cognitive development is a journey of continuous learning and discovery, marked by significant milestones that shape their understanding of the world. Among these milestones, object permanence stands out as a crucial achievement. Recognising that objects continue to exist even when they are not visible or audible is … Read more
How To Enhance Your Child’s Social-Emotional Development As parents, our primary goal is to create an environment where our children can feel safe, supported, and loved. We understand that nurturing their social-emotional development is crucial for their overall well-being and future success. This article will explore the importance of cultivating a sense of safety for … Read more
A Jolly Good Time with Santa at the Margate Caves Grotto. Ho, ho, ho! Gather ’round, fellow parents, because I have a festive tale to tell! If you’re looking for the ultimate Santa grotto experience in Kent, then look no further than the Margate Caves. This year we took our little elves aged 3 and … Read more
Using Cardboard Boxes in Pretend Play & Learning Cardboard boxes are one of the easiest play resources to acquire for free. As the Founder and Lead Researcher of the Inclusiveteach Project, one of my core focus areas is studying how we can empower creativity and development in children. Pretend play has long been recognised by … Read more
What is the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)? The tonic labyrinthine reflex (TLR) is one of several infant reflexes that are completely normal in babies under 6 months old. When the TLR reflex is triggered, it causes babies to tilt their heads back and tense their bodies when the head changes position. For example, when you … Read more
ImaginativePlay 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 many 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 simple game of house … Read more
Gross Motor Skill Development in EYFS/Pre-School As an Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) teacher, it’s crucial to understand the importance of developing gross motor skills in young children. These skills lay the groundwork for their overall physical development and function, impacting their ability to perform everyday tasks, participate in sports and recreational activities, and maintain … Read more
To Share or Not to Share: A Balanced Perspective on Teaching Children to Share There is some debate in the parenting world whether you should teach your children to share their toys or not. Sharing is often considered a fundamental social skill that children should learn from a young age. However, the question of whether … Read more
Lessons on Relationships, Connection and Supporting Behaviour This post is based on the book The Art of Kid Whispering by Jamie Chambers. Most address outward behavior in conflicted youth. To help, grasp their inner thoughts, feelings. This book aids counselors, parents, teachers, and youth workers connecting with challenging young people. Authors explain “Kid Whispering” and … Read more
Saying No To Your Child: Validating Feelings While Setting Boundaries One of the most critical aspects of a child’s emotional development is learning to set boundaries. Saying “no” to your child is an essential part of this process. In this article, we will discuss the importance of saying no, how it can validate a child’s … Read more
Did you know that 90% of a child’s brain development happens before the age of 5? This striking fact highlights the importance of the early years foundation stage (EYFS) in shaping young minds. It’s time to revolutionise your approach to EYFS teaching, with evidence-based strategies that maximise your young explorers potential. Imagine a classroom where … Read more
Why is Imaginary Play Important? When you see your little one engaged in an elaborate pretend scenario, don’t dismiss it as ‘just playing.’ Imaginary or pretend play provides incredible cognitive, social, and emotional benefits that can give your child a developmental boost. This article will explore why pretend play is so important and how parents … Read more
Turn-Taking and sharing Activities for Toddlers Turn taking is a pivotal social skill that children must acquire early in life. It’s an essential component of social interaction, allowing them to effectively, and positively, engage with others. Turn taking is a behaviour for learning that helps in activities where the child needs to share attention, participate … Read more
Positive Parenting Buffers Young People Against the Impacts of Stress The intricate relationship between family dynamics and child development is a topic of increasing interest in the scientific community. A wealth of research is now dedicated to understanding how stress and adversities faced in early life can impact brain development, leading to cognitive, emotional, and … Read more
Attention-Seeking Behaviour or Connection Seeking? When it comes to understanding the social and emotional development of young children, attachment theory has long been a cornerstone of both research and practice. Developed by British psychologist John Bowlby in the mid-20th century, the theory posits that the quality of the early relationships between children and their primary … Read more
We got our hands on these three great maths game resources from Learning Resources. I had seen a post on instagram with the pirate treasure game. It was being used by a speech therapist so I was very excited when I got a chance to have a play learning session with it. I am currently … Read more
You must be logged in to post a comment.