Families & Childcare / Play

Following on neatly from yesterday's post about grandparents, the DCSF has just published a new research study of how modern families put together care packages for their offspring. The report provides a detailed breakdown of who cares for children at different stages of their lives (parents, grandparents, nursery etc), and how this can vary between different social groups and income brackets. <a href="http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/DCSF-RR090.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Fitting It All Together: How Families Arrange their Childcare and the Influence on</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Children’s Home Learning</span></a> is online now.<br /><br />Also dealing with families and children, another new publication from the DCSF - <a href="http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/DCSF-RR089.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Children and Parents’ Experiences of Recently Improved Play Areas</span></a> - contains in-depth feedback from parents on the play facilities which are available for their children.

Families & Childcare / Play

Following on neatly from yesterday's post about grandparents, the DCSF has just published a new research study of how modern families pu...

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Grandparents & The Family

Today's post concerns a new report from the national charity <a href="http://www.grandparentsplus.org.uk/" target="_blank">Grandparents Plus</a>. The organisation recently commssioned Yougov to survey the public and parents to establish the contribution that grandparents make towards childcare, and how this role could be better recognised. Among the report's conclusions are ideas for <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/mar/25/childcare-grandparent-leave" target="_blank">'granny leave' and tax credits</a>, a situation illustrated by <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7961639.stm" target="_blank">this BBC article</a> which recounts the experiences of a grandmother who is currently helping to care for her daughter's children.<br /><br />The full text of <a href="http://www.grandparentsplus.org.uk/jdd/public/documents/gpp/GPReport%20web%20version.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Rethinking Family Life: Explor</span><span style="font-style: italic;">ing the Role of Grandparents and the Wider </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Family</span></a> is online now; a 5 page <a href="http://www.grandparentsplus.org.uk/jdd/public/documents/gpp/GPP%20Survey%20Findings.pdf" target="_blank">summary of the survey's findings</a> is also available.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis39VT_i-NjDMjEQrw7bdmS-4n_QTbhzqrjJfgIH6sC1D6pdeIFXRiMtdCMfoXwxoPsr3B2z-JCtpFUjy9sqZDAkP4hVsnOlZOZ_OHPgUiQuiCo2Q-yGrYZwfsIovBLfkZFI1ngxPbpA/s1600-h/Grandparents.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317123481485001138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis39VT_i-NjDMjEQrw7bdmS-4n_QTbhzqrjJfgIH6sC1D6pdeIFXRiMtdCMfoXwxoPsr3B2z-JCtpFUjy9sqZDAkP4hVsnOlZOZ_OHPgUiQuiCo2Q-yGrYZwfsIovBLfkZFI1ngxPbpA/s200/Grandparents.jpeg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 197px; height: 130px;" /></a>

Grandparents & The Family

Today's post concerns a new report from the national charity Grandparents Plus . The organisation recently commssioned Yougov to survey ...

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Intrinsic Rewards

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gTNxrk4Wku0O4aUlGK6v1SBplRfJFCmi8uUeq0ZZNteNlozBb6VtzRclv6QbVpHU1BscwA8ETojxmjjVE42pxjdLY0PRHPGYDs2k6DKyyTEGJ4PsTHBEur4sknlnM3amHxrL3KMazgk/s1600-h/Calif.+3-09+052.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316797250331895826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gTNxrk4Wku0O4aUlGK6v1SBplRfJFCmi8uUeq0ZZNteNlozBb6VtzRclv6QbVpHU1BscwA8ETojxmjjVE42pxjdLY0PRHPGYDs2k6DKyyTEGJ4PsTHBEur4sknlnM3amHxrL3KMazgk/s200/Calif.+3-09+052.JPG" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" /></a><br />Since I don't have my own early childhood classroom any longer, I sometimes forget the feeling you get when a child learns something new. I was recently watching my excited grandson show me that he had learned to ride his bike without training wheels. He couldn't get enough riding time. He was always asking one of the adults to go outside with him so he could ride that bike. It is such an intrinsic reward (I am helping mankind!!) to see a child accomplish a skill. That is why many of us have devoted our lives to working with the youngest members of our population.

Intrinsic Rewards

Since I don't have my own early childhood classroom any longer, I sometimes forget the feeling you get when a child learns something new...

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The Database State

A new report commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation claims that of all the the UK's public information databases, over a quarter <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/mar/23/dna-database-idcards-children-index" target="_blank">are in breach of European data protection and privacy laws</a>. Furthermore, of those affected by these issues, <a href="http://www.cypnow.co.uk/bulletins/Daily-Bulletin/news/892806/?DCMP=EMC-DailyBulletin" target="_blank">children are among those most at risk</a>.<br /><br />The full text of <a href="http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/%7Erja14/Papers/database-state.pdf" target="_blank">Database State</a> is online now; section 2.2 outlines the services where children and their families' privacy may need to be reconsidered. This <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/mar/24/children-databases" target="_blank">Guardian article</a> discusses some of the issues involved.

The Database State

A new report commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation claims that of all the the UK's public information databases, over a quarter...

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Targeted Family Support

A rare post for our family support workers today... the charity Action for Children has just published an evaluation of their own family support services. The findings highlight the importance of early intervention with problem families, and the fact that parents are happier to ask for help when they don't feel stigmatised. To read the brief report, <a href="http://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/uploads/media/36/5021.pdf" target="_blank">click here</a>.

Targeted Family Support

A rare post for our family support workers today... the charity Action for Children has just published an evaluation of their own family sup...

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Birmingham's Parenting Support Plan

Those of you working within children and family services in Birmingham may or may not know about the launch of the City Council's Integrated Support Strategy for Parenting; this follows on from a clause in the DCSF's Children's Plan (see <a href="http://bcftcschildhoodeducation.blogspot.com/2007/12/childrens-plan-commercialisation-of.html" target="_blank">previous post</a> for details), which provides funding for two expert parenting advisors for every local authority.<br /><br />Detailed information about the new strategy doesn't currently appear to be online(if it appears I'll post a link). However, you can read <a href="http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/2009/03/18/birmingham-pledges-to-help-parents-meet-challenges-65233-23166270/" target="_blank">this article</a> from Councillor Andy Jenkins who outlines the rationale behind the idea, while information about Services for Early Years and Childcare in Birmingham can be found by <a href="http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/childcare.bcc" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.

Birmingham's Parenting Support Plan

Those of you working within children and family services in Birmingham may or may not know about the launch of the City Council's Integr...

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Ending Child Poverty

Another day, another report on child poverty... The latest publication in this area is actually less of a report, and more of a manifesto from the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), which outlines proposals for continuing to reduce the number of children living in poverty in the UK. Nevertheless, the document still contains some facts and figures which readers may find useful. <a href="http://www.cpag.org.uk/publications/extracts/CPAG_manifesto_0309.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ending Child Poverty: a Manifesto for Success</span></a> is available online now.

Ending Child Poverty

Another day, another report on child poverty... The latest publication in this area is actually less of a report, and more of a manifesto fr...

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Deprivation and Education

Several students have enquired in recent days about information sources that examine the link between a child's background and their educational achievement. So it's quite timely that the DCSF has just published <a href="http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/DCSF-RTP-09-01.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Deprivation and Education: The Evidence on Pupils in England,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Foundation Stage to Key Stage 4</span></a>. This detailed report examines factors such as ethnicity, free school meals, attendance and SEN, and how the culture of individual schools can have an impact in addressing such issues. The concluding lengthy list of references should also provide you with some suggestions for further reading.<br /><br />If you're writing an assignment in this area, you may also want to take a look at <a href="http://www.cpag.org.uk/campaigns/education/EducationBriefing120907.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Chicken and Egg: Child Poverty and Educational Inequalities</span></a>, a report which was published by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in 2007. Clicking on the 'Child Poverty' link in the 'Hot Topics' column on the right of this page will also bring up a list of previous posts that may be of use to you.

Deprivation and Education

Several students have enquired in recent days about information sources that examine the link between a child's background and their edu...

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Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Children

In an echo of last week's Laming report (see <a href="http://bcftcschildhoodeducation.blogspot.com/2009/03/protection-of-children-in-england.html" target="_blank">previous post</a> for details), a new survey from the DCSF suggests that many organisations involved in the safeguarding of children are not sharing information effectively with other interested bodies or individuals (eg parents or children themselves). The report is entitled <a href="http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/DCSF-RR085.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Children</span></a>, and is available online.

Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Children

In an echo of last week's Laming report (see previous post for details), a new survey from the DCSF suggests that many organisations in...

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Fear of Youth is Worse than Ever

"What is happening to our young people? They disrespect their elders, they disobey their parents. They ignore the law. They riot in the streets, inflamed with wild notions. Their morals are decaying. What is to become of them?"<br /><br />Not a contemporary viewpoint, but a quote from Plato in the fourth century BC. The blog doesn't usually devote entire posts to newspaper articles, but readers might want to take a look at a piece by Tanya Byron in today's Guardian entitled <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/mar/17/ephebiphobia-young-people-mosquito" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">We see Children as Pestilent</span></a>, which offers some thought-provoking observations about modern perceptions of children and young people.

Fear of Youth is Worse than Ever

"What is happening to our young people? They disrespect their elders, they disobey their parents. They ignore the law. They riot in the...

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Social Bookmarking

I've written about social bookmarking before (see <a href="http://bcftcschildhoodeducation.blogspot.com/2008/04/mmm-delicious.html" target="_blank">previous post</a> for details), and specifically a service called <a href="http://delicious.com/" target="_blank">Delicious</a>. Basically, social bookmarking sites allow you to save bookmarks so that they can be accessed from any computer, and make it easier for you to add your own tags, descriptions etc for each site to find them again quickly.<br /><br />So far, so good; now this is where the 'social' part comes in. Once you've saved a bookmark, Delicious makes it very easy for you to see who else has saved the same pages or similar ones. After a while, you begin to see which other users have similar interests to yours, and so you can add them to your 'network' - this is much like making a friend request on Facebook. This means that when you log in to the site you can quickly check what these people have been tagging and vice versa, so that you each benefit from the other person's bookmarks.<br /><br />In the year or so that I've been using Delicious, I've come across a number of people who are also saving information on childcare / education topics and added them to my network. A number of the sites that they've subsequently recommended have given me ideas for the blog and other work, and hopefully they're making use of the sites that I've saved too. It's an excellent example of how the Web can help users to share information for mutual benefit.<br /><br />It seems to me that a service like this would be very useful for students who are usually working on an assignment alongside 20 or more others at any one time. If enough of you create an account with Delicious or a similar site and set up a network between yourselves, then all of the group should benefit from the research that each individual has carried out.<br /><br />Hopefully that all makes sense! If you're already using Delicious, feel free to add me to your network - my username is allthecoloursfade (it's a long story...); this will give you instant access to my personal bookmarks containing several hundred web links to useful reports, organisations etc. If enough of you are interested in using something like this but aren't sure how to get started, then get in touch with me and I'll organise a workshop to demonstrate how it all works. Or you could just view this excellent video: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeBmvDpVbWc" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Social Bookmarking in Plain English</span></a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTE7L4mzBjnUlPzbmJBIuc_B-6aOf589HcLtv3RYglPvefdVDL1PjtRH623q-LLg-azHyToDYXXjUC1xx5rwryUM1B6r_PoyGr0NTvVXjk7ZER_aIWRGcDtd-ByHr0U6BO9tH_PQ8tAg/s1600-h/computer.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313780613716590418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTE7L4mzBjnUlPzbmJBIuc_B-6aOf589HcLtv3RYglPvefdVDL1PjtRH623q-LLg-azHyToDYXXjUC1xx5rwryUM1B6r_PoyGr0NTvVXjk7ZER_aIWRGcDtd-ByHr0U6BO9tH_PQ8tAg/s200/computer.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 146px; height: 107px;" /></a>

Social Bookmarking

I've written about social bookmarking before (see previous post for details), and specifically a service called Delicious . Basically,...

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The Protection of Children in England

If you've seen the news this morning, you can't have failed to notice that today sees the publication of <a href="http://publications.everychildmatters.gov.uk/eOrderingDownload/HC-330.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Protection of Children in England: A Progress Report</span></a>, which was commissioned by the DSCF following the death of Baby P, and has been written by Lord Laming. The report attempts to evaluate existing good practice with regard to child protection, identifies potential barriers that may prevent good practice from being implemented, and makes recommendations for improvements for the future.<br /><br />You can read press reaction to the report in these articles from the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7938826.stm" target="_blank">BBC</a> and the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/mar/12/childprotection-social-care" target="_blank">Guardian</a>; a <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/mar/12/child-protection-main-points" target="_blank">summary of the recommendations</a> is also available.<br /><br />The report takes its starting point from the Victoria Climbie Inquiry, which was also chaired by Lord Laming and published its findings in 2003. The final report and the various pieces of evidence collected for the Inquiry are available by <a href="http://www.victoria-climbie-inquiry.org.uk/" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.

The Protection of Children in England

If you've seen the news this morning, you can't have failed to notice that today sees the publication of The Protection of Children ...

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Money for Early Childhood

I agree with one of the comments from my last entry about the wish that all preschools and daycares can benefit from the stimulus money that has been promised for early childhood. We already know that Head Start and Early Head Start has been promised quite a chunk of the early childhood money. I do hope that there will be grants and child care subsidies that will assist other early childhood programs. At the same time, I hope that there are some checks and balances in place that the money be used to improve the quality of the preschool setting. Research tells us that quality child care and preschools benefit all children attending and it can save the education system around $14 per child. However, we also know from research that poor quality child care can actually be detrimental to young children, especially in social and emotional behavior patterns. So, I do hope that money will be available to good early childhood settings to help them become even better.

Money for Early Childhood

I agree with one of the comments from my last entry about the wish that all preschools and daycares can benefit from the stimulus money that...

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Latest from OnTheWeb

The latest issue of OnTheWeb (see <a href="http://bcftcschildhoodeducation.blogspot.com/2007/05/be-alert.html" target="_blank">previous post</a> for details) is as usual a goldmine of information for finding out what's been going on in the childcare and education sector. Here's a few highlights from the newsletter which should be of use to some of you:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.lemosandcrane.co.uk/home/index.php?id=204285" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Freedom's Consequences</span></a> is a report on reducing teenage pregnancies in the UK</li><li>The Commission for Social Care Inspection has just published <a href="http://www.csci.gov.uk/PDF/Dis_parents6.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Supporting Disabled Parents</span>:<span style="font-style: italic;"> A Family or a Fragmented Approach</span></a></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Those of you with an interest in the education of refugee or EAL children may want to look at <a href="http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/download/fulltext/5ksnw5z4nhwh.pdf?expires=1290591899&id=0000&accname=guest&checksum=AB9181B625BDEA7194AE05FFD1C18D14" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">What Works in Migrant Education? A Review of Evidence and Policy Options</span></a>, a report from the OECD which looks at the issue from an international perspective</li><li>The Children's Rights Alliance has published <a href="http://www.getreadyforchange.org.uk/images/uploads/Compressed_What_do_they_know_FINAL.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">What do they Know? Investigating the Human Rights Concerns of Children and Young People Living in England</span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/DCSF-RR60.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cost of Schooling 2007</span></a> presents a very detailed picture of all the expenses involved in putting a child through full time education</li><li>Finally, the DCSF has recently published <a href="http://publications.dcsf.gov.uk/eOrderingDownload/285374a.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Healthy Lives, Brighter Futures</span></a>, which outlines the government's strategy for improving children and young people's health</li></ul>

Latest from OnTheWeb

The latest issue of OnTheWeb (see previous post for details) is as usual a goldmine of information for finding out what's been going on...

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Does Every Child Matter?

A new report which is launched today already looks like proving controversial, by arguing that child asylum seekers are <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7933885.stm" target="_blank">not being treated under the guidelines established by the government</a>.<br /><br />The first report from the new charity <a href="http://refugee-migrant-justice.org.uk/?page_id=4" target="_blank">Refugee & Migrant Justice</a> claims that children who arrive in the UK are often denied access to services and facilities to which they are entitled, and provides several case studies as evidence. You can read the full report, entitled <a href="http://refugee-migrant-justice.org.uk/downloads/RMJ_Doeseverychild_Report2.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Does Every Child Matter? </span></a>online now.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/" target="_blank">UK Border Agency</a>, which is responsible for controlling migration in the UK, has swiftly rejected many of the report's findings. Since January a new Code of Practice has been in place which sets out how children seeking asylum should be handled. You can read this by <a href="http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/consultations/closedconsultations/keepingchildrensafe/codeofpracticechildren?view=Binary" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.<br /><br />If you have an interest in this topic, it may be worth looking at the <a href="http://www.refugee-legal-centre.org.uk/" target="_blank">Refugee Legal Centre</a> website (the previous name for Refugee & Migrant Justice). Although the site is now no longer being maintained, it still contains quite a few documents which students may find useful.

Does Every Child Matter?

A new report which is launched today already looks like proving controversial, by arguing that child asylum seekers are not being treated un...

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Disabled Children

The <a href="http://www.c4eo.org.uk/default.aspx" target="_blank">Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children and Young People's Services (C4EO)</a> has recently published a series of studies which examine current provision for disabled children, and how this could be improved in the future. Links to each of the reports are below:<br /><ul><li style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.c4eo.org.uk/themes/disabledchildren/files/c4eo_improving_the_wellbeing_through_early_years.pdf" target="_blank">Improving the Wellbeing of Disabled Children through Early Years Interventions (Age 0–8)</a></li><li style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.c4eo.org.uk/themes/disabledchildren/files/c4eo_improving_the_wellbeing_improving_access.pdf" target="_blank">Improving the Wellbeing of Disabled Children and Young People through Improving Access to Positive Activities</a></li><li style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.c4eo.org.uk/themes/disabledchildren/files/c4eo_ensuring_all_disabled_children.pdf" target="_blank">Ensuring all Disabled Children and Young People and their Families Receive Services that are Sufficiently Differentiated to Meet their Diverse Needs</a></li></ul>The C4EO website looks like it's well worth visiting on a regular basis; the organisation is a relatively new one, and focuses its work on children's services on seven different themes as identified by Every Child Matters. Already it has also published a series of studies on Early Years, and reports on vulnerable children; child poverty; parents, carers and families; youth; schools and communities are all set to follow over the coming months.

Disabled Children

The Centre for Excellence and Outcomes in Children and Young People's Services (C4EO) has recently published a series of studies which ...

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Safari

It's a slow news day so here's a couple of pointers to help brush up on your online research skills.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.open.ac.uk/safari/index.php" target="_blank">Safari</a> is an interactive tutorial which helps users to learn about accessing, finding and reviewing information. The site has been developed by the Open University, and while a handful of its pages make specific references to the OU, almost all of its content is relevant to anyone wanting to improve their research skills. There are many other sites that cover similar themes, but Safari is probably the best example I've seen.<br /><br />Also, for any Wikipedia addicts who may read this blog, <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7921985.stm" target="_blank">this entertaining article</a> on the BBC website may help to remind you why you should really be looking for more reliable sources to reference in your work.

Safari

It's a slow news day so here's a couple of pointers to help brush up on your online research skills. Safari is an interactive tutor...

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Maths Teaching: Does It Add Up?

Last September, Ofsted published <span style="font-style: italic;">Mathematics: Understanding the Score</span> (see <a href="http://bcftcschildhoodeducation.blogspot.com/2008/09/mathematics-understanding-score.html" target="_blank">previous post</a> for details) which examined evidence of how maths was being taught in schools. Following on from this, Ofsted has now published two booklets for maths teachers which aim to improve teaching by <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7923920.stm" target="_blank">shifting it away from a narrow emphasis on skills</a>.<br /><br />There are two booklets: one for <a href="http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-and-research/Browse-all-by/Documents-by-type/Thematic-reports/Mathematics-understanding-the-score-Improving-practice-in-mathematics-primary" target="_blank">primary</a> teachers, and one for those working in <a href="http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-and-research/Browse-all-by/Documents-by-type/Thematic-reports/Mathematics-understanding-the-score-Improving-practice-in-mathematics-secondary" target="_blank">secondary</a> schools. These may be worth a look if you will be helping children with numeracy during your placement.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiYjP60kFBcuHSCK8fMsHGz6WZS8bV9Y7PbXVp2BiLqgHF_9liIKIPLpVyONXZiuflO0mUlG6zOI9JeJfCsOrHhl3bPQ3acXgwkUfBhg5mruOuHBVL7FFV9v508zvrmVsoo15ZPQ3Ig/s1600-h/numbers.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309652307282350770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiYjP60kFBcuHSCK8fMsHGz6WZS8bV9Y7PbXVp2BiLqgHF_9liIKIPLpVyONXZiuflO0mUlG6zOI9JeJfCsOrHhl3bPQ3acXgwkUfBhg5mruOuHBVL7FFV9v508zvrmVsoo15ZPQ3Ig/s200/numbers.jpeg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 124px; height: 111px;" /></a>

Maths Teaching: Does It Add Up?

Last September, Ofsted published Mathematics: Understanding the Score (see previous post for details) which examined evidence of how maths...

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Cybermentors

The <a href="http://www.beatbullying.org/" target="_blank">Beatbullying</a> charity has launched a new website dedicated to tackling the growing problem of cyberbullying. Entitled <a href="http://www.cybermentors.org.uk/" target="_blank">Cybermentors</a>, the site enables victims of bullying to seek help and advice from hundreds of secondary school and further education students who have been trained especially for this task. Also on the site are a collection of videos and links to relevant news stories.<br /><br />For further information on bullying and cyberbullying from previous blog posts, click on the 'Bullying' link under the 'Hot Topics' heading on the right hand side of this page.

Cybermentors

The Beatbullying charity has launched a new website dedicated to tackling the growing problem of cyberbullying. Entitled Cybermentors , the...

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Let's Hope...

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Q8XUCzILWnlop2hoUCgh-bbc5Xg1rWbF-Ra6UOBfY1myl1c-m7Xw5_SR-5U0zYqu8KwfOSrJn9OHb917kYpf4WuwQXr3SDiRYw-NvXaNOyDJWkF_0sQ8V20hiafEypt7QUL5Nt_r_4g/s1600-h/008.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308419566713695922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Q8XUCzILWnlop2hoUCgh-bbc5Xg1rWbF-Ra6UOBfY1myl1c-m7Xw5_SR-5U0zYqu8KwfOSrJn9OHb917kYpf4WuwQXr3SDiRYw-NvXaNOyDJWkF_0sQ8V20hiafEypt7QUL5Nt_r_4g/s200/008.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" /></a><br />The economic downturn has everyone worried and many in uncomfortable circumstances. We know that when a family is in peril and stressed, it has adverse effects on young children. Now that the economic stimulus package has been signed, let's hope that (regardless of political leanings) we can get behind it and turn the country around. One of the great parts of the package is the incredible investment in early childhood education. Research proves that quality child care and preschool will actually save money over the long haul. However, the most important part of the equation is that it will help children become life-long learners. So, I am hopeful that this package to jump-start the nation will also enhance early childhood.

Let's Hope...

The economic downturn has everyone worried and many in uncomfortable circumstances. We know that when a family is in peril and stressed, it ...

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