In providing resources for playful learning we need to remember the process in which they will be used, not just the outcome at the end, says Anne O'Connor.
From seeing the sky in puddles to finding the symmetry in faces, there are lots of ways to mirror all areas of the curriculum, say Carole Skinner, Fran Mosley and Sheila Ebbutt.
Is it time to reassess our view of the enabling environment? Turning the term on its head, an environment that enables is more than the adult and more than the child – it becomes a context for intent,...
With all their good intentions, children's centres may still let down their users through design faults that can be altered reasonably easily. Manager Colette Tait shows how.
Julie Mountain continues her series on Newham’s Outdoors and Active programme by looking at its approach to open spaces, surfaces and level changes, climbing, large objects and storage
Understanding both physical and psychological environments is key when creating areas for two-year-olds. Julia Manning-Morton explains how settings' management of this impacts on children's...
Musical instruments can help children develop the sound recognition skills essential for reading, spelling and writing. Early years settings call the tune as they try out a few for Nicole Weinstein.
Practitioners can support children's learning by providing as many real-life experiences with minibeasts as possible. Nicole Weinstein suggests resource ideas to make this possible.
Children gain an immense sense of achievement from creating something beautiful from a few simple sticks, says Julie Mountain.
Are you a mud-lover, a mug-hugger or somewhere in between? Annie Davy explains why being an early years practitioner today is an outdoor job.