Each day technology helps us to build more knowledge, from laboratory equipment to search engines. As children are growing up in a digital age it is vital to incorporate technology as part of their everyday discovery of the world around them.
The sensory aspect of water play strengthens children's learning, adding engagement and excitement. In her series on water play, Jenni Clarke leads us on a creative path through the wide opportunities of experimenting with bubbles and colour.
Exploration with water can bring so much more on top of the all-important sensory opportunities. Jenni Clarke suggests many ways in which the three different states of water can be explored through maths.
Uh-oh, teething! Your once placid baby is unsettled and their sleep pattern is disrupted. It's highly likely that your child's first teeth are starting to emerge.
During a period in all our lives where worrying and anxiety has reached epic proportions due to the pandemic, take time to read and share some of these great stories and activities with the children in your setting.
Urban nature field trips, modelling controlled movements and engaging in observational behaviour…Hilary White invites us to explore micro ecosystems on our doorstep which open up so many vast learning opportunities.
Learning about traditions always involves so many interesting insights. This includes discovering new texts, people, practices and opening up opportunities for mathematical literacy as well as extending language.
Shade and shadows are always a fascinating concept for children, with so many learning opportunities across all areas. Here, Karen Hart focuses on the underpinning area of communication and language.
In the past decade more than half of rural hedgehogs and a third of those in towns and cities have become extinct. Judith Harries provides ideas for educating children to ensure that these spiky friends survive.
Annette Rawstrone provides a practical guide to weighing up the pros and cons of using a dummy, including how to wean your child off their dummy when they reach six months.
Immerse children in the surreal world of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, introducing its characters and story as a springboard for their own imaginative play and exploration of concepts of time.
Sue Hendra's books are full of wacky characters, rhymes, play on words and superhero silliness. Use them to develop children's listening skills, vocabulary and attention to detail.
What does weaning really mean and what is the best way to approach it? Annette Rawstrone provides practical, common sense advice in the first of a new series covering early development stages.
This is the final article in the series introducing mindfulness, outlining creative activities which encourage children to express their thoughts and anxieties, collaborate and achieve a sense of calm.
In the first of a new series exploring ecosystems in the context of sustainability, Hilary White focuses on wetlands and ponds with ideas for activities which will help children to understand their characteristics and wildlife.
Children will enjoy celebrating their dad or special male person by a creating a a unique ‘Avocado Dad’ or a ‘My Dad, the Star’ card. There is also a guide to making a beauiful ‘Me and My Dad’ bookmark.
While technology is not specifically covered in the revised EYFS it will feature in many everyday activities in your provision. In this first of a new series, Claire Hewson links Ipads and Bee-Bots to learning co-operatively.
In the first of a series exploring water play, Jenni Clarke suggests how to make the most of opportunities for joyful, spontaneous maths learning, by seizing ‘teachable moments’ and using observation to gauge progress.
The books of Dr Seuss are a fantastic springboard for children to practise repeating refrains and having a go at reading and writing rhymes and missing words. It's all about having ‘lots of good fun that is funny’.
Build children's small muscle strength by exploring mark-making with different tools on different surfaces and see where the learning journey leads you.
Rhyme is a fantastic medium for inspiring children to engage with narrative and develop vocabulary. Get into your own poetry rhythm by checking out these activities.
While covid restrictions are being eased, there are still some weeks ahead in which parents will find themselves continuing to be at home with their young children. With light at the end of the tunnel, now is the time to make the most of this.
Making up a story orally can sometimes be more powerful than reading out loud from a book. Claire Hewson suggests ways to improvise on a classic fairy story and encourage children to create and tell their own exciting narratives.
Try the following ideas for making sustainable wood or cork geoboards, and give your children the invaluable experience of creating their own eco-friendly resources using nails or pins, says Hilary White.
Turn to a new page for cooking by linking children's favourite stories to the preparation of tasty treats. One favourite is bound to be The Disgusting Sandwich, says Karen Hart.
