Nursery World - Learning & Development: Childhood

The feelings of children about their early years learning experiences have been captured in new research by Jacqui Cousins.

It was good to read in Nursery World that 'more than 200 experts are calling for action to protect children from the "erosion of childhood"' (News, 20 September-3 October). Twenty-three of them have also set aside party politics and joined forces to write Too Much, Too Soon? (Hawthorn Press), which emphasises the sector's constant demands for a play-based curriculum in settings for children under the age of six.

Even with the best intentions, such as to prevent future failure, we in Britian frequently lose sight of our young children and their needs and strengths as they are now. As a result, undue pressure is placed on children, their families and their teachers, especially when it comes to reading. In a nutshell, children are constantly expected to get ready for the 'next phase' in their lives and to grow up too quickly.

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