Family Child Care

Effective Classroom Strategies

Effective Classroom Strategies

The latest research review from C4EO examines evidence surrounding the issue of closing the achievement gap for children living in poverty....

6:49 AM

Early Years Professional Status

Yesterday saw the publication of the <a href="http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/assets/0001/1377/First_National_Survey_of_Practitoners_with_EYPS.pdf" target="_blank">first national survey</a> on the role and impact of graduate leaders in the early years sector. This report was commissioned by the <a href="http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/" target="_blank">Children's Workforce Development Council</a>, and the research carried out by the University of Wolverhampton. Among the findings are the claim that more than three-quarters of practitioners who have achieved Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) believe that the qualification has <a href="http://www.cypnow.co.uk/bulletins/Daily-Bulletin/news/1051651/?DCMP=EMC-DailyBulletin" target="_blank">helped to boost their standing in the workforce</a>, and so increase their confidence.<br /><br />The survey came out on the same day that the government will <a href="http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/news/4591_government-continues-investment-in-early-years-graduate-leadership" target="_blank">continue to fund the EYPS programme</a> for the next year.

Early Years Professional Status

Yesterday saw the publication of the first national survey on the role and impact of graduate leaders in the early years sector. This repor...

2:17 AM

All the News that's Fit to Print...

Today's update is something of a mish-mash, with details of various new items of interest...<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-and-research/Browse-all-by/Documents-by-type/Thematic-reports/Removing-barriers-to-literacy" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Removing Barriers to Literacy</span></a> is an Ofsted report which investigates approaches that can improve practice in literacy. To compile the report, inspectors visited a range of different settings with a track record in enabling children and learners to make good practice.</li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://www.demos.co.uk/files/Home_Front_-_web.pdf?1295005094" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Home Front</span></a> is a new publication from Demos which argues that the challenge of living on a low income can have a negative impact on parenting, and suggests policies to improve the support for such families.</li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/publications/downloads/tenpitfalls_wdf48122.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ten Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them</span></a> is an NSPCC booklet aiming to provide those who work in children's services with a summary of research which is relevant to assessing children's circumstances.</li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://issuu.com/krishnacrae/docs/the_right_stuff_magazine" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Right Stuff</span></a> is a new magazine published by the <a href="http://www.crae.org.uk/" target="_blank">Children's Rights Alliance for England</a>. The title is described as 'by and for young people in the UK', with the aim of promoting young people's interest in human rights issues.<br /></li></ul>

All the News that's Fit to Print...

Today's update is something of a mish-mash, with details of various new items of interest... Removing Barriers to Literacy is an Ofsted...

4:57 AM

Air to Breathe

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFi83t0JziS5_bHtSN5WGvMTc2HyTACdM6fBNhEoqB9lxXqmmXXs4fTu8zMnQFDBpUjiwyh4JuL2W-zdUGa8GdSsbn4kfDxlfv3zRk851p2QkBr3UbsdqZWkd2utHj3HBfRNV3V7R-2A/s1600/2008+001.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564400822234639490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFi83t0JziS5_bHtSN5WGvMTc2HyTACdM6fBNhEoqB9lxXqmmXXs4fTu8zMnQFDBpUjiwyh4JuL2W-zdUGa8GdSsbn4kfDxlfv3zRk851p2QkBr3UbsdqZWkd2utHj3HBfRNV3V7R-2A/s200/2008+001.jpg" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px" /></a><br /><div>It has been a cold and snowy winter so far here in Utah. The older I get, the more I dislike cold weather. The other day when it was 7 degrees overnight, I went out the next morning to break a hole in the ice of our pond. We keep a pump going, but I like to make sure there is an oxygen outlet for the fish and turtles deep in the water. It always amazes me how they survive the cold winter, but they seem to adjust fine as long as there is oxygen.</div><br /><div>I have had the opportunity to work with at-risk children routinely throughout the years and I have always viewed school much like that oxygen outlet. For some children, school can be a safe environment in an unsafe and unstable world. The classroom can provide support for a child who does not always feel supported in life. School can also provide challenges and opportunities to think that may not be encouraged outside the classroom. When a teacher creates an inviting and supportive classroom, it can be a haven for a child until the harsh winter begins to subside. Good teachers make sure there is a hole in the pond when it is 7 degrees by:</div><br /><div>-Maintaining a strong positive relationship with the child</div><br /><div>-Providing comfortable and effective routines that help the child feel secure</div><br /><div>-Routinely reinforce <a href="http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/community/play_nice.html" target="'_New">social and emotional skills </a>that help children grow friendships and feel part of the group</div><br /><div>-Giving extra support to children who seem to struggle with compliance and obedience.</div><br /><div>I wish that every child felt love, acceptance and support in every aspect of his/her life. Unfortunately, that is not the norm for many children. Until that time, we all must continue to break a hole in the ice for the children who surround us. Especially when the outside world is lurking with icy fingers and a temperature of 7 degrees.</div>

Air to Breathe

It has been a cold and snowy winter so far here in Utah. The older I get, the more I dislike cold weather. The other day when it was 7 degre...

2:10 PM

The ICT Handbook for Primary Teachers

The ICT Handbook for Primary Teachers

A few months ago I wrote how one of UCB's lecturers had published a book (see previous post for details). David Hall's The ICT Han...

6:54 AM

Early Intervention: the Next Steps

Early Intervention: the Next Steps

Today sees the publication of Early Intervention: Next Steps , a report from Graham Allen MP which examines the impact of the current progra...

8:34 AM

Maintaining Classroom Discipline

It's retro film time again... While digging out some information on behaviour management in the classroom, I came across the little gem which you can view below. It's a US video from 1947 entitled <span style="font-style: italic;">Maintaining Classroom Discipline</span>. But if you think that it has little relevance to modern teaching you may be surprised - when the video was uploaded to the <a href="http://www.behaviour4learning.ac.uk/" target="_blank">Behaviour4Learning</a> website, the site managers discovered that it quickly became one of the most popular items on the site - <a href="http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6008302" target="_blank">click here</a> to learn more.<br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gHzTUYAOkPM?fs=1&hl=en_GB"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gHzTUYAOkPM?fs=1&hl=en_GB" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object>

Maintaining Classroom Discipline

It's retro film time again... While digging out some information on behaviour management in the classroom, I came across the little gem ...

5:24 AM

Impact of Early Years Education

The <a href="http://www.gtce.org.uk/" target="_blank">General Teaching Council for England</a> (GTCE) have published <span style="font-style: italic;">The Enduring Impact of Quality Early Years Education</span>, which summarises research from the <a href="http://eppe.ioe.ac.uk/index.htm" target="_blank">EPPE Project</a>. This new report uses case studies to evaluate how different influences (both school and home) can have an impact on the development of young children.<br /><br />To read the full text, <a href="http://www.tla.ac.uk/site/SiteAssets/RfT1/06RE058%20The%20enduring%20impact%20of%20quality%20early%20education.pdf" target="_blank">click here</a>.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPn-H6acTpizGvRZD5t2U6N7joLt2uoIVpVqwQS4KZKl8ZPX4BJ_FDw4kDGaoNIkZaVE1klSRrxDNModhjI9DXHgNYHJFiuYdVVYydEbPhSMocklEW_AhF5FHZg8vEfi4jlpIjfbJOA/s1600/Holly3rdJan2011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561617508358569394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPn-H6acTpizGvRZD5t2U6N7joLt2uoIVpVqwQS4KZKl8ZPX4BJ_FDw4kDGaoNIkZaVE1klSRrxDNModhjI9DXHgNYHJFiuYdVVYydEbPhSMocklEW_AhF5FHZg8vEfi4jlpIjfbJOA/s200/Holly3rdJan2011.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 150px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></a>

Impact of Early Years Education

The General Teaching Council for England (GTCE) have published The Enduring Impact of Quality Early Years Education , which summarises rese...

2:25 AM

Children’s Experiences of the Early Years Foundation Stage

Children’s Experiences of the Early Years Foundation Stage

A new DFE-commissioned report from researchers at Sheffield Hallam University gathers examples of children's perspectives on their exper...

3:35 AM

2011: Hopes and Fears

2011: Hopes and Fears

What does the New Year hold for the Early Years sector? Nursery World has gathered together a wide range of experts and practitioners to ou...

7:39 AM

Making Music

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDvOe_pOxjGsSw9YG3fmp-6FPHUK3XznPZmrwnVJNv0cL0Hxf9AaMCWttTVSVPfYSCIUAezHJjM18fr4tmx9ZyN2ZI0qqAfECtdNjJtNCStWxhxTpbrwBHnxUuV1wknndIIG_Wl33A1o/s1600/The+girls.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558131271145609602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDvOe_pOxjGsSw9YG3fmp-6FPHUK3XznPZmrwnVJNv0cL0Hxf9AaMCWttTVSVPfYSCIUAezHJjM18fr4tmx9ZyN2ZI0qqAfECtdNjJtNCStWxhxTpbrwBHnxUuV1wknndIIG_Wl33A1o/s200/The+girls.jpg" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><br />During the holidays, I had the opportunity to be in California with all six of my grandchildren. After a rousing Wii music game, three of my granddaughters picked up the ukulele and some costumes, then proceeded to serenade the rest of us. One of the adults present called out, "That sounds just awful." Maybe it did, but the effort impressed me. Here were three girls who were not afraid to take a chance and exhibited great planning strategies. We know how critical it is to teach children thinking skills and to take a chance. Sir Ken Robinson, an expert on creativity, says, "If they don't know, they will have a go." Children are natural risk takers, but adults often shut down their comfort level for taking risks. This has great impact on thinking skills and creativity. To encourage taking risks and developing thinking skills, adults should:<br /><br /><br /><ul><br /></ul><p><strong>1. Allow the "awful music,"</strong> realizing that the <em>process</em> the child developed is what should be encouraged, not shut down. Don't worry about the product.</p><p><strong>2. Look for toys and materials that need a <em>process</em> of development</strong>. Instead of a coloring book (no thinking there), provide construction paper, scissors and glue (endless process). The end product doesn't really matter.</p><p><strong>3. Encourage an atmosphere of taking risks</strong>. Recently, a child I know filled the sink with water and started floating her shoe in the water. I applaud her mother who did not get upset and yell, "What are you doing?" She simply asked calmly, "So, what are you doing with your shoe." Her daughter said, "Seeing if my shoe can float." "What did you find out?" asked her mom. After a great discussion they cleaned the mess and dried the shoe.</p><p><strong>4. Do projects together.</strong> Routinely do projects with the child and allow him to suggest many of the procedures. Even if you know it may not 'work.' Trial and error is great for thinking. A wonderful resource book for doing projects is, <a href="http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=16075&es=10490500000" target="'_New">"The Complete Book of Activities, Games, Stories, etc</a>." by Pam Schiller and Jackie Silberg.</p><br /><br /><p>My granddaughters can serenade me anytime. It was music to my ears as I was thrilled they created a <em>band.</em> The right notes can come later!</p>

Making Music

During the holidays, I had the opportunity to be in California with all six of my grandchildren. After a rousing Wii music game, three of my...

4:45 PM