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EYR Team

chinese new year activities 22/01/2020
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Chinese New Year Ideas & Activities

This article has been written by early years consultant, Anne Rodgers, from ATR Consultancy. Chinese New Year is one of my favourite festivals and celebrations. This year, 2020, will be the Year of the Rat. There are lots of activities you can do for Chinese New Year and different ways to incorporate this festival within the areas of learning. For example, telling the story of the 12 animals who competed in a race to represent the years of the Chinese zodiac – these are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon,... Read More

17/01/2020
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Why Don’t They All Learn Well Through Play?

This article has been written by Ellie Collar from Early Years SEN, who will be delivering our Workshop ‘Executive Function: Learning Through Play’ on the 18th March 2020 in Manchester. Learn more. I am an early years practitioner and I have worked with Flitters. You know the children who play like butterflies, circling the play environment but never really engaging with anything long enough to extend their play or use the language you planned for it to stimulate? Those children who play well if an adult is there to extend... Read More

13/01/2020
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Learning About Chinese New Year 2020 [VIDEO]

It’s that time of year again when Chinese New Year celebrations take centre stage! A holiday filled with colour, culture and celebration, Chinese New Year is celebrated annually but follows the Chinese Lunar Calendar, so the date always changes but falls sometime between January and February. This year it takes place on the 25th January 2020. Watch the video below to learn all about the celebration and find answers to questions such as, “What ‘year’ is it and what does that mean?” “How is Chinese New Year celebrated in China?”... Read More

childminders setting 30/12/2019

Inside A Childminders Setting

Childminder settings come in all shapes and sizes, with different approaches and resources. So whether you take an open-ended play approach, outdoor learning focus, or naturals and neutrals approach to childminding, the objective always remains the same … to provide the best possible childcare. Meet the childminders! Three childminders, Pebbles Childcare, the Natural Childminder and Childcare Adventures, have let us take a peek inside their fabulous childminding settings, to show us how they best utilise the space in their setting and to help inspire other childminders. Chloe and Bridgit, Pebbles... Read More

19/12/2019
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How To Record Stories and Boost a Child’s Storytelling Skills

This article has been written by storytelling specialists, Tonya and Natasha, from Little Creative Days Telling stories is what makes us human, we all tell them every day but how do we first learn to tell stories? We regularly say that children are natural storytellers. They hear stories everywhere and they use them to make sense of the world and solve their problems. Their brains are like sponges and they absorb everything going on around them which is why it’s so important to read to them from a very early... Read More

12/12/2019

Christmas Candy Gifts Recipe

Making sweets for children to give as Christmas gifts is a great idea! So why not try to make some yummy chocolate fudge, peppermint creams and snowball crispies with these easy-to-follow recipes. These two sweet treats can be made in bulk and then put into small bags tied with ribbon. How To Make Chocolate Fudge Ingredients: 300g caster sugar 160ml evaporated milk 200g marshmallows 55g butter 1/4 tspn salt 500g milk chocolate, chopped 250g plain chocolate, chopped 1 tspn vanilla extract Method: Before you begin, make sure all hands are... Read More

gingerbread heart cookies recipe 12/12/2019

Gingerbread Heart Christmas Cookies Recipe

It’s time for some yummy Christmas baking! These gingerbread heart cookies are perfect for sharing the love this Christmas and is an ideal festive baking activity for children aged 5-7 years old. Ingredients you will need: 350g plain flour 2 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 100g butter 175g soft light brown sugar 4 tbsp golden syrup 1 egg Heart shaped cookie cutter Baking instructions: Begin by washing your hands and putting on your festive apron. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/Gas 4. (Reduce heat to... Read More

outdoor winter activities for kids 05/12/2019
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Outdoor Winter Activities for Early Years

Are you ready to take on winter? The winter weather might be frightful…but it’s time to grab your winter warmers and head outside for some fun outdoor winter activities with the kids. Don’t let the brisk winter chill put you off taking the children outdoors! Outdoor play is extremely important for a child’s development – as it enhances their physical activity, mental wellbeing, independence and creativity. Winter is the perfect time to explore new and unique outdoor learning opportunities, so we have put together a list of un-brr-lievable outdoor winter... Read More

29/11/2019
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Elf Shelf Sitters – Christmas Crafts

Make these festive Elf Shelf Sitters with the children and encourage some Christmas Creativity! Read the simple instructions below to get started: Art Materials You Will Need: Red, Green, White, Skin-toned, Black felt fabric Scissors Glue Paper cups Buttons Black paint Paintbrush STEP 1: Cut a strip of flesh toned felt and glue it around the lower part of a paper cup. Cut a circle of the same colour and glue it on the base of the cup. STEP 2: Cut a strip of red felt and glue it around... Read More

29/11/2019
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Paper Tube Christmas Tree Crafts

Make this festive Christmas Tree made out of paper tubes with the children and encourage some Christmas Creativity! Read the simple instructions below to get started: Art Materials You Will Need: Cardboard Tubes Gold Card Green and Brown Card Glittery Shapes Scissors Glue STEP 1: Gather together the cardboard tubes. You could use kitchen roll tubes or thinner tubes from rolls of tin foil. Cut the tubes into decreasing lengths so that they form a tree-shape when placed together. Cut a final short length for the tree trunk. STEP 2:... Read More