Glossary

If you're baffled by the incredible array of acronyms in the childcare and education sector, then you should find <a href="http://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/en/councilservices/cyp/caf/Documents/PDF%20Documents/ecm_multiagency_working__glossary.pdf" target="_blank">this glossary</a> very handy. It lists dozens of terms that you may come across, along with a brief description of what each one means.

Glossary

If you're baffled by the incredible array of acronyms in the childcare and education sector, then you should find this glossary very ha...

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Broken Links

In recent weeks several people have mentioned that links which they followed from this site were broken. I'm currently checking the links on some of the older posts and updating them where possible, but if you come across a broken link then please <a href="mailto:D.Renfree@ucb.ac.uk">contact me</a> and I'll do my best to get it fixed.

Broken Links

In recent weeks several people have mentioned that links which they followed from this site were broken. I'm currently checking the link...

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Creative Art Rules!

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3m7_y0EzemxH9IEfJVhouzXq7aSdoKP3MJWv4wsfiOEZtcT-T_9FPxX3YNbEYOi0YdZHeAklgOHX5zHS-fGJzWZ75JjwRcO622khDbDED0eVDAYid3GGTvRRAwGSV5LOqEkLYSL9rn-s/s1600/Audrey-Hannah+Dance+5-10+016.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474926220338154402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3m7_y0EzemxH9IEfJVhouzXq7aSdoKP3MJWv4wsfiOEZtcT-T_9FPxX3YNbEYOi0YdZHeAklgOHX5zHS-fGJzWZ75JjwRcO622khDbDED0eVDAYid3GGTvRRAwGSV5LOqEkLYSL9rn-s/s200/Audrey-Hannah+Dance+5-10+016.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" /></a><br />I have continued to get feedback for my blog entry a couple of months ago about disliking coloring books or pre-printed pages. I have been told there is a time and a place, but I'm still not on board with using such creativity-killing materials. I was reminded again this weekend when I was watching my grandchildren paint with <a href="http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/NewDSS/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=23651&es=10490500000" target="'_New">tempera paint </a>cakes. I watched the process unfold as I have many times. Creating their own pictures allow children to:<br />- develop organizational skills<br />- test experimentation skills<br />- explore decision-making skills<br />- be supported in creativity <br />Children that are immersed in these types of activities jump right into the project when they see what materials are available. Compare these children to those who wait to be encouraged and to see what the adult wants them to do. There is no comparison. Children who can organize, experiment, make decisions and create will always be more successful. They have the ability to think. Thinking is a good thing!<br />For some great creative activities, check out the following blog:<br /><a href="http://artandcreativity.blogspot.com/" target="'_New">Art and Creativity</a>.

Creative Art Rules!

I have continued to get feedback for my blog entry a couple of months ago about disliking coloring books or pre-printed pages. I have been t...

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Coalition Plans for Children, Families & Education

The new government's approach towards the early years and family sectors is being made clearer. Today's post is simply a collection of links to news stories which outline some of the most important changes:<br /><ul><li>Last week saw the publication of <a href="http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/409088/pfg_coalition.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Coalition: Our Programme for Government</span></a>; sections 14 and 26-28 should be of particular interest to regular site visitors</li><li>All payments to Child Trust funds <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/10146734.stm" target="_blank">will be scrapped by January</a></li><li>As part of government cuts, £670 million will be cut from education spending, although <a href="http://www.cypnow.co.uk/news/ByDiscipline/Education/1005157/Education-department-cut-670m-schools-Sure-Start-protected/" target="_blank">schools and Sure Start are protected</a></li><li>Many <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/may/24/coalition-government-education-cuts" target="_blank">quangos will be most affected</a> by the cuts; <a href="http://www.becta.org.uk/" target="_blank">Becta</a> is to close, while the <a href="http://www.qcda.gov.uk/" target="_blank">QCDA</a>, the <a href="http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/" target="_blank">Children's Workforce Development Council</a>, the <a href="http://www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/" target="_blank">School Food Trust</a> and other organisations will all have their budgets reduced</li><li>The <a href="http://www.ncb.org.uk/" target="_blank">National Children's Bureau</a> has criticised the decision to <a href="http://www.cypnow.co.uk/news/ByDiscipline/Childcare-and-Early-Years/1005129/NCB-hits-government-plans-axe-Play-Strategy/" target="_blank">axe the Play strategy</a></li><li>It's been confirmed that parents will be given the opportunity to <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article7133810.ece" target="_blank">set up their own 'free schools'</a></li></ul>If there's anything else that's been announced in recent days that you feel deserves a mention, please share it with other readers by <a href="http://bcftcschildhoodeducation.blogspot.com/2007/06/leave-comment.html" target="_blank">leaving a comment</a>.

Coalition Plans for Children, Families & Education

The new government's approach towards the early years and family sectors is being made clearer. Today's post is simply a collection ...

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Destitution and Refugee Children

New research from the <a href="http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/" target="_blank">Children's Society</a> claims that the <a href="http://www.cypnow.co.uk/bulletins/Daily-Bulletin/news/1004078/?DCMP=EMC-DailyBulletin" target="_blank">number of asylum-seeking children who fall into destitution is increasing</a>. Between October 2008 and 2009 the charity covered out research in the West Midlands, during which period they helped a total of 264 children and their families with financial support. The full report, entitled <span style="font-style: italic;">Destitution Amongst Asylum-Seeking and Refugee Children</span>, is <a href="http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/resources/documents/Project/pro_dest/20842_full.pdf" target="_blank">online now</a>.

Destitution and Refugee Children

New research from the Children's Society claims that the number of asylum-seeking children who fall into destitution is increasing . Be...

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Children's Sector on Hold

The new <a href="http://www.education.gov.uk/" target="_blank">Department for Education</a> has <a href="http://www.cypnow.co.uk/bulletins/Daily-Bulletin/news/1003660/?DCMP=EMC-DailyBulletin" target="_blank">called a moratorium on the work</a> of all government quangos and arm's length bodies in the children and young people's sector. This means that organisations such as Ofsted, the Children's Workforce Development Council, Becta, the School Food Trust and many others will not be publishing any new research or policy documents in the immediate future.<br /><br />This may mean that the blog is updated less frequently in the coming weeks, as much of the material featured on this site is drawn from organisations such as these. However, the site will still be keeping up-to-date with any new research that is published.

Children's Sector on Hold

The new Department for Education has called a moratorium on the work of all government quangos and arm's length bodies in the childre...

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Best Children's Books Ever

If you're involved with helping children to read, then you may be interested in a recent piece on the Guardian website, which serves as a guide to the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/may/12/best-childrens-books-ever" target="_blank">'Best Children's Books Ever'</a>. Of course this is simply a matter of opinion, but the list should give you some ideas on useful titles to use with children. The books are also divided into different sections to indicate what age groups they are suitable for.

Best Children's Books Ever

If you're involved with helping children to read, then you may be interested in a recent piece on the Guardian website, which serves as ...

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New Education Secretary

Following the change of government, it's been announced that the new Education Secretary is Conservative MP Michael Gove. In recent weeks his calls for <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/timdonovan/2010/04/would_free_schools_really_empo.html" target="_blank">parents to be allowed to set up their own schools</a> have caused heated debate among political commentators.<br /><br />Of course, there are many other issues that a new Education Secretary must deal with. To get an idea of the future shape of government policy in this area, you can read <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/mar/02/michael-gove-readers-questions-ofsted" target="_blank">this interview</a> in which Michael Gove responds to questions from readers of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Guardian</span>. Or if you have the time to spare, click on <a href="http://www.thersa.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/213021/Gove-speech-to-RSA.pdf" target="_blank">this link</a> to read a transcript of a speech entitled <span style="font-style: italic;">What is Education For?</span> which he delivered last summer to the RSA.<br /><br />In a further change, the DCSF has been renamed as the <a href="http://www.education.gov.uk/" target="_blank">Department for Education</a>. More reaction to Gove's appointment is currently available in the right-hand column of this page from the links in the 'Useful Articles' section.

New Education Secretary

Following the change of government, it's been announced that the new Education Secretary is Conservative MP Michael Gove. In recent week...

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Beautiful Snake....is that an Oxymoron?

Snake lovers don't be upset, but I hate snakes. I know you can list all of the wonderful aspects of the reptiles, but I just can't make myself like snakes. I get very agitated and uncomfortable if there is a snake in the room. I have nothing against people who love them, just don't make me get close. I was reminded of this again on Sunday when we had Mother's Day dinner at a relative's home. Her daughter just got a pet snake. Everyone was raving about how beautiful the snake is with it's black and red stripes. Ugh! Beautiful and snake do not belong in the same sentence in my vocabulary. They also mentioned that the snake had escaped from his cage last week and they didn't find him until the next day. If that happened at my house, there is only one thing I would say...hotel.<br />As an early childhood educator, I want my students to discover everything they can about our natural world. I always prefer taking children to the zoo to see <a href="http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/NewDSS/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=26962&es=10490500000" target="'_New">live animals </a>as opposed to the natural history museum filled with the stuffed version. But, I always drew the line at snakes. I assigned that to another adult to supervise. Sheesh...they give me the creeps. I will continue to encourage and assist children in finding out about the natural world. But, for snakes, they can go to my relative's house. Their snake is beau.... OK.

Beautiful Snake....is that an Oxymoron?

Snake lovers don't be upset, but I hate snakes. I know you can list all of the wonderful aspects of the reptiles, but I just can't m...

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Eyes & iGoogle

If you're a user of the EYES Search service on the right of this page, then you can now add an EYES Search box to your personal iGoogle page (assuming you have one) which will save you having to visit this site every time that you wish to do a search. If you'd like to do this, simply make sure that you're signed into iGoogle, then follow <a href="http://fusion.google.com/add?moduleurl=http%3A//www.google.com/cse/api/010820372334424014468/cse/z8-nw_3uyls/gadget" target="_blank">this link</a> and click on the 'Add to iGoogle' button. You can then place the search box wherever you like in your personalised page.

Eyes & iGoogle

If you're a user of the EYES Search service on the right of this page, then you can now add an EYES Search box to your personal iGoogle ...

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Bits 'n' Pieces

Over the last few weeks the election campaign has ensured that there are less government reports and research to report on than usual. Which means there's a little space to point readers towards recent new publications from other organisations:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0018/001869/186961e.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Enhancing Learning of Children from Diverse Language Backgrounds</span></a> is a report from UNESCO which approaches the topic of educating bilingual children from an international perspective.</li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/content/download/10877/129251/file/Children%20on%20rights%20and%20responsibilities.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Children on Rights and Responsibilities</span></a> is a short report which reflects children's views of their rights and welfare.</li></ul><ul><li>The Commission for Rural Communities has published <a href="http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/files/Web43sotcupdate.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">State of the Countryside Update:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Children and Educational Services</span></a>, which aims to provide an accurate picture of the current situation regarding children's services in rural areas.</li></ul><ul><li>The <a href="http://www.drugscope.org.uk/" target="_blank">Drugscope</a> charity has published a report entitled <a href="http://www.drugscope.org.uk/Documents/PDF/Publications/YoungPeopleCrossroadsReport.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Young People’s Drug and Alcohol</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Treatment at the Crossroads</span></a>.</li></ul>

Bits 'n' Pieces

Over the last few weeks the election campaign has ensured that there are less government reports and research to report on than usual. Which...

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