EYR Blog - Page 2 - Early Years Resources

EYFS Numeracy Activities: 10 Fun Ways to Boost Early Maths Skills

Posted by EYR Team on 26th Feb 2024

Maths in the early year’s foundation stage is a vital stepping stone for children and it forms one of the seven key areas for learning. Therefore it is so important to make sure that your littl … read more

Promoting Literacy in the Early Years

Posted by EYR Team on 12th Feb 2024

Literacy is one of the key areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage and therefore understanding effective ways of promoting literacy in the early years is vital as it sets children up for success in … read more

28 World Book Day Ideas for School

Posted by EYR Team on 5th Feb 2024

As World Book Day circles around once more, the panic for World Book Day Ideas begins to set in. In this blog we bring you 28 different activities to try in your setting from creative art and crafts, … read more

What Is Mathematics in Early Years?

Posted by EYR Team on 29th Jan 2024

Early Years Education is defined by the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stages). This EYFS curriculum is split into 7 areas of learning: Communication & Language, Literacy, Expressive Arts and Desig … read more

EYFS Literacy Activities: 10 Engaging Ideas for Early Language Development

Posted by EYR Team on 22nd Jan 2024

The Early Years Foundation Stage, or EYFS, covers children’s education between the ages of 0 and 5. It is therefore a crucial stage in any child’s development. The EYFS is split into 7 ke … read more

Benefits of Imaginative Play for Kids

Posted by EYR Team on 15th Jan 2024

The benefits of imaginative play for kids are often overlooked imaginative play is frequently seen as an activity to pass time rather than something that can be used to support learning. In this blog … read more

The Importance of Reading in the Early Years

Posted by EYR Team on 8th Jan 2024

There are few things in a child’s early years (birth to 5) more important than reading. Not only is it a fundamental skill for early education, but is required multiple times a day. In this blo … read more

How to promote environmental awareness using the 7 areas of EYFS

Posted by EYR Team on 1st Jan 2024

As early years practitioners, you play a pivotal role in shaping young minds, and what better way to do so than by nurturing a love for the environment from an early age? In this blog, we dive into h … read more

Conservation Classroom Activities For Early Years

Posted by EYR Team on 25th Dec 2023

In a world where fostering a deep connection to our planet is vital for future generations, instilling a sense of environmental responsibility from a young age is essential. In this blog, we suggest … read more

Eco-friendly Activity Ideas for Early Years

Posted by EYR Team on 18th Dec 2023

Fostering eco-friendly practices in the classroom is essential to instil a sense of responsibility and care for the environment from a young age. But what does eco-friendly mean? Being eco-friendly m … read more

Starting Primary School Checklist – what are children expected to know?

Posted by EYR Team on 11th Dec 2023

If you have a little one starting school for the first time in September it’s likely you will be wondering “What do they need to know?” This starting primary school checklist blog w … read more

Getting Ready To Start School: 5 Ways To Support Your Children

Posted by EYR Team on 4th Dec 2023

“School Readiness” is a phrase often thrown around this time of year in advance of the September start dates but what does it actually mean? Being “school ready” simp … read more

How to Create a Sensory Den: Budget-Friendly Ideas

Posted by EYR Team on 27th Nov 2023

For children of all ages and abilities, sensory rooms and gardens offer a variety of benefits through immersive multi-sensory environments. These specially designed therapeutic spaces are typically h … read more

How to use music in your early years and classroom settings.

Posted by EYR Team on 20th Nov 2023

It has been proven that music plays a key role in brain development as it contributes to learning language, motor, emotional intelligence and collaboration skills. With early years educators constant … read more

How to Dye Pasta for Sensory Play

Posted by EYR Team on 13th Nov 2023

Looking for a creative and interactive activity to engage all of your child’s senses? Look no further than DIY rainbow pasta for sensory play! This sensory play activity not only provides enter … read more

Your Essential Checklist for the New School Year

Posted by EYR Team on 6th Nov 2023

The new school year can bring with it excitement and anticipation, but also a degree of stress if not properly planned and organised. To ensure you have a successful start to the upcoming school year … read more

Icebreaker Activities for the New School Term

Posted by EYR Team on 30th Oct 2023

Returning to the classroom after 6 weeks of summer can often be a daunting task for children and teachers alike. Back-to-school activities are a great way of easing both parties back into school life … read more

Environmental Activities for Early Years

Posted by EYR Team on 23rd Oct 2023

The world we live in is facing more and more environmental challenges. Therefore, it is important, now more than ever, to educate the next generation, giving them an increased sense of responsibility … read more

Exploring Music Therapy in an Early Years Context

Posted by EYR Team on 16th Oct 2023

As an early years educator, you may have heard about or witnessed first-hand, the benefits that music can have in educational settings. But have you considered music therapy? In the last few yea … read more

Introducing the topic of Pride into your early years setting

Posted by EYR Team on 9th Oct 2023

What is Pride Month? The annual celebration of Pride month began back in June 1970. This is when the first Pride parade was organised to celebrate the anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Thi … read more

10 Coloured Rice Sensory Play Ideas

Posted by EYR Team on 2nd Oct 2023

Sensory play is one of the best ways to encourage children to get creative, use their imagination and develop their senses! One of the most popular types of sensory play is playing with coloured rice … read more

EYR Budget Friendly Series: How to Teach Maths on a Budget

Posted by EYR Team on 25th Sep 2023

So far in our Budget Friendly blog series, we have covered two of the core curricular topics: literacy and science. Today’s blog follows this up with our favourite ways to teach Maths on a budg … read more

How to Dye Rice for Sensory Play

Posted by EYR Team on 18th Sep 2023

Are you looking for an easy-to-set-up activity to engage your children in sensory play? Look no further than coloured rice! With just a few supplies and some creative thinking, you can create a vibra … read more

Advice for Schools: How to Spend your Government-Allocated Funding

Posted by EYR Team on 11th Sep 2023

This blog has been put together to provide a bit of guidance for the new financial year in your setting. Whilst each school will, of course, have their own specific needs, long-term goals and plans f … read more

Messy Play Ideas for Babies

Posted by EYR Team on 4th Sep 2023

Messy play is an open-ended way of exploration that allows babies and children to take the lead and independently explore different textures and materials through various senses. Messy play … read more

Diversity in STEAM: Promoting Inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths

Posted by EYR Team on 28th Aug 2023

This blog has been written in collaboration with Pixie Murphy, a non-binary freelance writer based in Manchester. When you imagine a scientist, who do you think of? Chances are, you may thi … read more

How to create an eco-friendly classroom

Posted by EYR Team on 21st Aug 2023

Creating an eco-friendly learning environment is an important step towards a sustainable future. Not only does it promote environmental awareness and conservation among students, but it can also save … read more

How to Use STEAM to Support Children With SEN/D

Posted by EYR Team on 14th Aug 2023

STEAM refers to the educational model that incorporates science, technology, engineering, arts and maths. To learn more about the specifics of STEAM and discover some activity ideas that use this mod … read more

Famous Scientific Discoveries and How to Replicate Them with Children

Posted by EYR Team on 7th Aug 2023

With British Science Week fast approaching we have put together this blog to highlight a select number of famous scientific discoveries. In teaching your little ones about these key achievements, we … read more

STEAM in Early Years - What is it?

Posted by EYR Team on 31st Jul 2023

What is STEAM? STEAM is an acronym that stands for Science Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths. Rather than addressing each of these areas individually, STEAM is an integrated approach th … read more

How to Engage Children in Literacy

Posted by EYR Team on 24th Jul 2023

"Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak and listen in a way that lets us communicate effectively and make sense of the world." - National Literacy Trust Did … read more

How to incorporate the King’s coronation into your lesson plans - Activity Ideas

Posted by EYR Team on 6th Mar 2023

Whilst school and nursery classes are not dictated by awareness days in the annual calendar, they can certainly be utilised to make learning a little bit different and raise children’s awarenes … read more

Getting the best start in life: A summary of Ofsted's research review for early years

Posted by EYR Team on 12th Dec 2022

Ofsted recently published part 1 of its "Best start in life: A research review for early years". A series of subject-based curriculum research reviews focused on early years education. In this brief … read more

EYR Budget Friendly Gift Guide for 2022

Posted by EYR Team on 21st Nov 2022

For many people, Christmas is by far the least budget friendly time of the year. This year, with the rising cost of living crisis, getting gifts for your friends and family can seem daunting. To make … read more

Learning for less - 5 ways to learn on a budget

Posted by EYR Team on 14th Nov 2022

This blog was written in collaboration with Samantha (@homeplayexplore) and Danie (@the_little_adventurer), EYR Brand Ambassadors, parents to young children and nature enthusiasts. In this blog they … read more

Teaching Fire Safety to Children in the Early Years

Posted by EYR Team on 31st Oct 2022

Fire safety is a serious matter for any early years setting as the EYFS specifically states: “Providers must take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of children, staff and others o … read more

Choosing a Childcare Provider: A guide for Parents

Posted by EYR Team on 24th Oct 2022

This blog has been supplied by EYR's exclusive partner PACEY - the professional association for childcare and early years. In this blog they share their advice on choosing a childcare provider in the … read more

5 More Ways to Make Your Christmas Eco-Friendly

Posted by EYR Team on 10th Oct 2022

Many people are now more conscious about their environmental impact and looking for ways to be more eco-friendly. With these easy steps, we can all do our part in making sure that this year's holiday … read more

How to Support a Child with Dyslexia

Posted by EYR Team on 3rd Oct 2022

What is Dyslexia? Dyslexia is a learning difficulty commonly associated with difficulties in reading and spelling. As well as this, dyslexia can also present several other diffic … read more

5 Ways to Make Your Christmas Eco-Friendly

Posted by EYR Team on 3rd Oct 2022

Christmas is a time for celebration and gift-giving, but it can also be a time of excess, with people buying more than they need. There are many ways that you can make your holiday season as green as … read more

Your Essential Checklist for Outdoor Learning & Play

Posted by EYR Team on 26th Sep 2022

Outdoor learning can be whatever you make of it. You can use a lot of resources or a little, purchased products or nature’s finds. It can be shaped in any which way you want but still offers th … read more

Introducing a Relaxed Forest School: Why all Play Matters

Posted by EYR Team on 19th Sep 2022

What is Forest School? Forest School has become a rapidly expanding pedagogy since being first introduced in the early 90s. It has a strong focus on the importance of child-led play and holi … read more

How to celebrate Black History Month in the early years

Posted by EYR Team on 12th Sep 2022

Introducing “trickier” sensitive topics to your childcare setting can often be a bit of a challenge. This could be due to: Concerns regarding the use of the correct terminology … read more

Tips to Keep Children Engaged on their Return to the Classroom

Posted by EYR Team on 30th Aug 2022

This blog has been written by Matthew Crouch aka Mr C Classroom. An EYFS lead, class teacher and EYR Industry Expert. In this blog he uses his experience and knowledge - particularly as a PSHE subjec … read more

5 Simple Display Board Ideas For Early Years: September Edition

Posted by EYR Team on 9th Aug 2022

Displays are essential no matter the size of your setting. They can be great methods of adding colour, exploring aspects of the EYFS curriculum or showcasing children’s work. In this blog we sh … read more

How to support education recovery in Early Years – an Ofsted summary for education providers

Posted by EYR Team on 1st Aug 2022

Ofsted recently published: “Education recovery in early year’s providers: summer 2022", a brief created using results from inspections and conversations with inspectors. In this brief the … read more

Transitions: The big move. Advice for Early Years Practitioners

Posted by EYR Team on 25th Jul 2022

This transitions blog has been supplied by EYR partner PACEY. In this blog, former childminders and PACEY advisors Pat and Anne discuss their experiences of children in their care transitioning to pr … read more

Transition series 3: Getting School Ready - A Parent's Advice

Posted by EYR Team on 19th Jul 2022

This blog has been written by Poppy Stokes, an EYR Brand ambassador and mum of two. In this blog she shares her super simple tips and tricks to help get your little ones "school ready" as she herself … read more

5 Easy Sponge Activities to try at Home

Posted by EYR Team on 11th Jul 2022

Sponges are an inexpensive resource that can be used in a variety of different ways to support early childhood development. In this blog we share 5 ways to use sponges of different sizes and shapes i … read more

How to Encourage Speech, Language and Communication in Young Children

Posted by EYR Team on 4th Jul 2022

As we know, speech, language and communication skills are vital for children’s general development. The ability to speak clearly, process sounds, understand others and express themselves are al … read more

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