Category

Early Years Development

19/07/2022
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Transition series 3: Getting School Ready – A Parent’s Advice

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 goes through this transition with her second child. To learn more about Poppy then head to her Instagram page: mini_messy_kids for inspiration and activity ideas. Big changes will happen with the run up to your child’s first year at school. Independence will become routine, friends will be a big part of their... Read More

04/07/2022
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How to Encourage Speech, Language and Communication in Young Children

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 all basic building blocks for a child’s later development. In this blog, we will delve into the definitions of these key skills, identify what speech, language and communication disorders may look like and offer suggestions to support your little one’s development in these areas. Definitions Speech: refers to the expression of thoughts through sounds and spoken words Language: refers to talking using words... Read More

20/06/2022
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Transition series 2: Supporting Positive Transitions

This blog series has been written with the help of our EYR Industry experts over at the University of Cambridge, the University of Birmingham and Manchester Metropolitan University. With the input of these three experts as well as contributions from parents and practitioners, we bring you our transition blog series designed to provide you with unique insights, suggestions and solutions. Understanding Transitions Supporting Positive Transitions Getting School ready: a Parent’s Advice In our previous blog of this series we discussed the following three factors that play an influential role in... Read More

06/06/2022
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Transition series 1: Understanding Transitions

This series has been written with the help of EYR industry experts from the University of Cambridge, University of Birmingham, and Manchester Metropolitan University. With the input of these three experts as well as contributions from parents and practitioners, we bring you our transition series. Designed to provide you with unique insights, suggestions, and solutions. Understanding transitions Improving the transition experience Getting School ready: a Parent’s Advice What are transitions? It is that time of year again when children are transitioning into the first or next stage of education. The... Read More

16/05/2022
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5 Fine Motor Activities for Children

What are fine motor skills? Fine motor skills refer to the coordination of small muscles in the brain and nervous system responsible for controlling precise movements in key areas such as hands and fingers. The development of fine motor skills depend on gross motor skill development. Gross motor skills refer to larger movements such as walking, crawling, and sitting independently. From initial development, children can begin to grasp objects and move small items independently. Infants will then progress onto more complex movements such as weaving and holding cutlery and pencils.... Read More

The 2 year health check: what to expect 25/04/2022
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The Two Year Health Check – What to Expect

This blog has been written with the help of EYR industry expert Emily Hanson. A qualified EYFS teacher with an M.Ed in Education from the University of Cambridge. To learn more about Emily, visit her website or follow her on Instagram. The two year check up – a real milestone for many little ones, and often a source of anxiety for parents. Feeling nervous about your child being checked over by a health professional is completely natural! Being well informed is a simple remedy to this! In this blog we’ll... Read More

31/01/2022
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The Importance of Stories for Children with EAL

What is EAL? EAL refers to English as an Additional Language. It is a term used to describe the teaching of English to students who have not learned it as their first language. EAL could refer to students who were born in, or have lived in the UK for a long time, but who speak another language at home and may not be as fluent in English which may affect their literacy levels. It may also refer to bi-lingual children. Irrespective of the child’s proficiency in English, the Department of... Read More

10/01/2022
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10 Activity Ideas For Your Setting This National Storytelling Week

This blog has been written by EYR Industry expert Emily Hanson, a qualified EYFS teacher with an M.Ed in Education from the University of Cambridge. In this blog, Emily delves into 10 different activity ideas to help you celebrate National Storytelling Week with your little ones. To learn more about Emily, visit her website or follow her on Instagram. As National Storytelling Week 2022 beckons, we are reflecting on this year’s brilliant theme of ‘Your Story, My Story’. Whether it’s retelling a child’s life and their journey to the person... Read More

31/12/2021
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Ways you can support children in the transition to New Year

As we leave 2021 behind us, the New Year brings hope, challenges, and new beginnings. Setting resolutions for 2022, the New Year brings new feelings in not only ourselves but our children. How can we support children as they look forward to, or are fazed by, the uncertainty of a new year? The change is unavoidable, however by managing it carefully we can reassure children as they adjust into 2022. This guide covers some things you can do to support children as we transition to the New Year. Reintroduce yourself... Read More

Benefits of learning a foreign language at an early age 07/09/2021
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Benefits of Learning a Foreign Language at an Early Age

In England, learning a foreign language is statutory from the ages of 7-14. Before this, there is no compulsory requirement for children to learn another language and the uptake of older children continuing to study a language at GCSE level is in a constant decline. However, enrolling children in extra-curricular classes and hiring private tutors in foreign languages has become an increasing trend in recent years. Many parents have made a bid to start their children learning in the Early Years as well, which will not only give them an... Read More