Birth to Three Matters - a framework to support children in their earliest years - is a resource for practitioners working with children in all types of early years settings, family centres and Sure Start projects. It has been warmly welcomed by all who have read it. However, some practitioners are concerned about its implementation. What does it look like in practice?
Little Baby Books have been written in response to such concerns (see box). Each book offers fun activities for one of the four aspects identified in Birth to Three Matters, and across the four broad stages of development described in the document.
The four aspects are:
* A Strong Child - developing a sense of identity, self-knowledge and self-esteem
* A Skilful Communicator - developing skills of communication and listening from babyhood
* A Competent Learner - imagining, creating, representing and making connections in their learning
* A Healthy Child - experiencing a setting where they are safe, healthy and emotionally secure.
The books are easy to use and help practitioners build on existing skills and identify ways to make activities even more relevant to the children in their care. Here are some examples.
Grab and let go
Developing fine motor skills
Stage of development Sitters, standers and explorers Aspect A healthy child Components Growing and developing What you need Small sponges, flannel, warm water, tin lid or plastic tray What you do
1 Soak the sponges and flannel in warm water.
2 Sit opposite the baby and offer the sponges and flannels one at a time.
3 Encourage them to grab the sponge, squeeze and then drop on to the tray.
4 Play alongside the baby, squeezing and dropping the sponge on to the tin lid.
5 Share the fun with smiles and say, 'Drip, drip', and when the sponge has been dropped, say and gesture 'Gone'.
Another idea
* Add some 'no tears' shampoo bubbles to the warm water.
Ready for more?
* Put the sponges and flannel in an empty ice cream box. Help the baby lift them, squeeze and then release.
* Try the same with warm cooked spaghetti or pasta ribbons.
Individual needs
* Some babies and children dislike certain textures. Vary the feel of the items to meet individual needs.
* Gently squeeze the warm water on to the back of their hand if the baby is reluctant to reach for the sponges.
* Give them plenty of time to explore.
Tiny tip
* Stroking gently the back of the baby's hand will help them let go of objects.
Watch, listen, reflect
* Look carefully at how the baby grips the flannel. Are they using their whole hand, or starting to use fingers and thumbs together?
* Watch and listen to how the baby asks for 'More'. How do they respond to the words and gesture 'Gone'?
Working together Parents could:
* try this activity at home at bath time. Tell practitioners how they have got on.
* share some finger and tickle rhymes with their baby.
Practitioners could:
* share their observations with parents.
* make time every day for some finger rhyme fun, and show them to parents.
What are they learning?
Are they releasing? Exploring? Looking? Asking for more? Sharing fun?
This leads to:
1 fine motor control 2 sharing 3 first words.
Up and down - words and actions Looking, pointing, using sounds and words Stage of development Movers, shakers and players Aspect A skilful communicator Components Being together, communicating, finding a voice What you need 1 sq m of fabric, bubble- wrap, net or survival blanket (from a camping shop); beach ball or balloon.
What you do Play this game with one or two children.
1 Stand opposite them and give them each a corner of the fabric square.
Hold the other two corners yourself. Pull the fabric taut.
2 Bend low and then stretch as high as the children can reach wafting the fabric up and down together. Sing or chant together, 'Up and down, up and down, up and down and stop'. Do this fast and then slow.
3 Carefully balance the ball on the fabric and have some fun bouncing the ball or balloon up and down as you repeat the rhyme and actions.
4 Play again with the bubble wrap and other materials.
Another idea
* Put a teddy on the square and bounce him up and down.
Ready for more?
* Try 'The Grand Old Duke of York', with up and down actions.
* Make huge up and down movements with big brushes and paint on large sheets of paper. Sing as you paint.
Individual needs
* Sew a plastic bangle to the corners of the fabric square to make an easier grip for children with fine motor difficulties.
* If it is hard to hold the attention of a child, sit opposite them and try the rhyme and actions holding hands.
Tiny tip
* Survival blankets are inexpensive, and are huge, so they can be easily divided up into several smaller blankets.
Watch, listen, reflect
* Watch how the children play together. How are they communicating with each other?
* Think about the words, actions, gesture, body language and so on.
* Listen for short phrases, describing words and comments.
Working together Parents could:
* use 'up and down' in some gentle active play with their child.
* try this rhyme with some bouncing on the knee games.
Practitioners could:
* look out at the local library for finger and action rhyme books and tapes.
* talk to parents about the different ways their child is using language, with real examples.
What are they learning?
Are they having fun? Enjoying being with others? Using words and actions? Exploring?
This leads to
1 communicating 2 negotiating 3 collaborating.
Follow me - moving and copying Self-awareness, identity Stage of development Walkers, talkers and pretenders Aspect A Strong Child Components Me, myself, I; a sense of belonging What you need No special equipment What you do 1 You can play this game with several children.
2 Sit with the children and explain how to play the game.
3 Model the game for them by being the leader first.
4 You can play sitting down, standing up or moving round the room. It's easier to start sitting down and making simple movements like putting your hand down and making simple movements like putting your hand on your head.
Say what you are doing as you make the movement.
5 Now ask if one of the children would like to be the leader. They will probably need to just do the movement without the words - at least to start with.
6 Don't go on too long.
Another idea
* Try the game with three different coloured bricks each - say 'Put the blue brick on the red brick', etc.
Ready for more?
* Play 'Follow me' with the leader having a simple musical instrument to keep a beat.
* Play 'Copy me' with small world figures or animals.
* Play 'Follow me' outside.
Individual needs
* Sit opposite one child and play 'Copy me' with simple movements.
* Second language speakers need to see you clearly as they play.
* Include children with additional needs in 'Follow the leader', even if they are in buggies or need carrying.
Tiny tip
* Careful following needs lots of practice.
Working together Parents could:
* play 'Follow me' round the house or the supermarket.
* play the game at clearing up before bedtime.
Practitioners could:
* provide some music tapes to borrow.
* share information about children's progress.
* share sessions of 'Follow me' with parents.
What are they learning?
Looking? Following? Copying? Moving? Remembering? Keeping a beat?
This leads to: 1 identity within the group 2 self-awareness.
READER OFFER
We have six sets of Right from the start: Little Baby Books by Sally Featherstone and Clare Beswick (Featherstone Education, 15.00, plus 2 p&p) to give to Nursery World readers.
The set comprises four books: What I really want; I like you, you like me; Grab and let go, and Touch it, feel it (4.95 each, plus 50p per book p&p).
Send your name and address on the back of a postcard or envelope, marked 'Right from the start', to the address on page 3. Winners will be the first six names drawn on 14 August.
Further Little Baby Books will follow in November 2003 and in March and November 2004. The complete collection will cover all components of all the Aspects in the Birth to Three Matters framework. For further information, write to Featherstone Education, 44-46 High Street, Husbands Bosworth, Lutterworth LE16 6LP, or see www.featherstone.com.uk.
Nursery World (TSL Education Ltd) and its associated companies may from time to time wish to process, or disclose your data to approved third-party companies in order to monitor our service and send you future promotions.
If you do not wish us to do this, please notify us by writing 'No promotions' on your entry.
