State of the World's Children 2012

<a href="http://www.unicef.org/" target="_blank">UNICEF</a> has just published <span style="font-style: italic;">The State of the World's Children 2012</span>. This is their annual flagship report, and the theme for this year's edition focuses on the experience of childhood in an urban environment. Information found in the report includes detailed statistics about children in different countries, features on children's rights, data on education and nutrition, and much more.<br /><br />The full report is available from <a href="http://www.unicef.org/sowc2012/pdfs/SOWC-2012-Main-Report_EN_21Dec2011.pdf" target="_blank">this link</a>. You may also find this <a href="http://www.unicef.org/sowc2012/index.php" target="_blank">accompanying site</a> useful, which contains plenty of supporting documentation. And full versions of previous editions of the report are <a href="http://www.unicef.org/sowc/" target="_blank">available here</a>.

State of the World's Children 2012

UNICEF has just published The State of the World's Children 2012. This is their annual flagship report, and the theme for this year's edition focuses on the experience of childhood in an urban environment. Information found in the report includes detailed statistics about children in different count…

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Sec Mod

If you're interested in the historical side of education, you might enjoy a relatively new blog called <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://secmod.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sec Mod</a>. The site bills itself as <span>"a place for people to share their memories and experiences of attending Secondary Modern Schools in Britain from 1944 to the early 1970s" and features a growing collection of first hand accounts. With BBC4 having recently <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0197znp" target="_blank">broadcast a series on grammar schools</a>, and the ongoing debate around streaming in schools, some of the material on <span style="font-style: italic;">Sec Mod</span> feels strangely relevant to today.<br /></span>

Sec Mod

If you're interested in the historical side of education, you might enjoy a relatively new blog called Sec Mod. The site bills itself as "a place for people to share their memories and experiences of attending Secondary Modern Schools in Britain from 1944 to the early 1970s" and features a growing…

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New from DfE

A brief mention of two research reports recently published by the Department for Education:<br /><ul><li>How is <a href="https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/DFE-RR185a.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Parenting Style Related to Child Antisocial Behaviour?</span></a> is a short(ish) report from the ongoing <a href="http://www.iop.kcl.ac.uk/departments/?locator=1121" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Helping Children Achieve</span></a> study. It certainly covers a topic that I've had a lot of enquiries about in recent months.</li></ul><ul><li><a href="https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/DFE-RR190.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">A Profile of Pupil Exclusions in England</span></a> is a detailed study of which pupils are excluded from school, and the reasons why.</li></ul>

New from DfE

A brief mention of two research reports recently published by the Department for Education:How is Parenting Style Related to Child Antisocial Behaviour? is a short(ish) report from the ongoing Helping Children Achieve study. It certainly covers a topic that I've had a lot of enquiries about in recen…

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New EYFS

Hopefully all visitors to this site are aware that the framework for the new Foundation Stage (EYFS) is expected to be published around the end of March, with a view to implementing it from September this year. Given the tight turn-around time, you'd be forgiven for worrying about getting up to speed with it quickly!<br /><br />Which is where the <a href="http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/" target="_blank">Foundation Years</a> website comes in... From now until September, <a href="http://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/news/rss/1117805/Countdown-new-EYFS/" target="_blank">the site's homepage will feature a 'Countdown button'</a> on its homepage. Click on this and you will have access to weekly updates covering areas including case studies, a checklist of differences between the new and old versions, a summary for parents and much more. This should be worth visiting regularly over the next few months to familiarise yourself with all you need to know.

New EYFS

Hopefully all visitors to this site are aware that the framework for the new Foundation Stage (EYFS) is expected to be published around the end of March, with a view to implementing it from September this year. Given the tight turn-around time, you'd be forgiven for worrying about getting up to spee…

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Press Here

<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeVx8WwLEbP9jPSgit2RU4DCrAl7HIMMsC4l_lD7FIqrI6Tj8dICdalcYWrUp8We2Pg10nOO6upFVG3AEexqbudCalQ6U_DZZPJY4L90SBud3hYqTtAivcLr9EYGf0Q7zPua0G10aZOk/s1600/Press+Here+Cover+jpg.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709901086565722530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeVx8WwLEbP9jPSgit2RU4DCrAl7HIMMsC4l_lD7FIqrI6Tj8dICdalcYWrUp8We2Pg10nOO6upFVG3AEexqbudCalQ6U_DZZPJY4L90SBud3hYqTtAivcLr9EYGf0Q7zPua0G10aZOk/s200/Press+Here+Cover+jpg.jpg" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 197px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />One of my favorite picture books published last year was, "Press Here," by Herve' Tullet. I was interested in this book because it fits nicely into my International Children's Literature course that I teach. "Press Here" is from France and was originally published the previous year in that country. If you have not had the joy of experiencing this book, please do so. It is an interactive book that encourages the reader to press dots, clap, tilt the book and other physical actions. For years, many early childhood teachers and parents have enjoyed using the book, "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus," by Mo Willems, because it is so interactive for young children. "Press Here" is of the same caliber.<br />I remember reading a research paper years ago which suggested that children don't always get a concrete learning experiences from books read to them without interaction. The key is to make the story comprehensive by asking questions, discussing pictures or talking about the story characters. This is important to do with children, but I really love books that naturally allow the child to become part of the story. Pick up "Press Here." You will love it.</div>

Press Here

One of my favorite picture books published last year was, "Press Here," by Herve' Tullet. I was interested in this book because it fits nicely into my International Children's Literature course that I teach. "Press Here" is from France and was originally published the previous year in that country. …

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Protecting Children Online

<span style="font-style: italic;">Protecting Children Online: Teachers’ Perspectives on eSafety</span> is a new report from the <a href="http://www.nfer.ac.uk/" target="_blank">NFER</a> which analyses responses from a recent online survey - topics covered include e-safety, cyberbullying, pupil use of mobile phones and social networking. You can choose to read either the <a href="http://www.nfer.ac.uk/nfer/publications/95001/95001.pdf" target="_blank">full report</a> or a <a href="http://www.nfer.ac.uk/publications/95001/95001Summary.pdf" target="_blank">summary version</a> is also available.

Protecting Children Online

Protecting Children Online: Teachers’ Perspectives on eSafety is a new report from the NFER which analyses responses from a recent online survey - topics covered include e-safety, cyberbullying, pupil use of mobile phones and social networking. You can choose to read either the full report or a summ…

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Shrek the Teacher

I'm often asked for information about men working in childcare, and have suggested some useful resources in a <a href="http://bcftcschildhoodeducation.blogspot.com/2011/08/men-working-in-childcare.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>. However, for a 'real world' take on what it's like to work as a male in the sector, I can strongly recommend <a href="http://mr-shrek.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">Identity Crisis? No, I'm a Male Nursery Teacher!</span></a> This is a blog written by a guy calling himself Shrek the Teacher (apparently 1 of just 48 men currently working in UK State Nursery Schools) and recounts his experiences in working with a class of 3 year olds. The different posts are by turns funny, honest and moving, and even if you're less interested in the 'men in childcare' angle, it still gives a fascinating insight into working with young children on a daily basis.<br /><br />If you know of other good blogs written by people in the early years sector, please share them with other readers by adding a comment below and including the link. I may look to gather a collection of these together for a future post.

Shrek the Teacher

I'm often asked for information about men working in childcare, and have suggested some useful resources in a previous post. However, for a 'real world' take on what it's like to work as a male in the sector, I can strongly recommend Identity Crisis? No, I'm a Male Nursery Teacher! This is a blog wr…

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Multiple Risk Factors in Young Children’s Development

Several news outlets have this morning covered the publication of a new study from the <a href="http://www.ioe.ac.uk/" target="_blank">Institute of Education</a> entitled <span style="font-style: italic;">Multiple Risk Factors in Young Children’s Development</span>. The paper is the latest publication to come out of the ongoing <a href="http://www.cls.ioe.ac.uk/mcs" target="_blank">Millennium Cohort Study</a>, and analyses the intellectual development of 18,000 children between the ages of nine months and five years. Poor living conditions and unwell parents are among the factors identified as <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/feb/07/home-problems-affect-child-development" target="_blank">barriers to intellectual development</a>.<br /><br />You can read the full text of the paper by <a href="http://www.cls.ioe.ac.uk/shared/get-file.ashx?id=1327&itemtype=document">clicking here</a>.

Multiple Risk Factors in Young Children’s Development

Several news outlets have this morning covered the publication of a new study from the Institute of Education entitled Multiple Risk Factors in Young Children’s Development. The paper is the latest publication to come out of the ongoing Millennium Cohort Study, and analyses the intellectual developm…

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Free Entitlement to Education for Three- and Four-Year-Olds

A new report from the National Audit Office examines the effects of free nursery places for preschool children. Delivering the Impact of Free Entitlement to Education for Three- and Four-Year Olds looks at the impact of such places on results at Key Stage One, and also how their take-up varies around the country and among disadvantaged families.<br /><br />You can read the full report and various supporting documents by <a href="http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/1012/education_for_3-4-year-olds.aspx" target="_blank">clicking here</a>. Some of the main themes the report covers are also covered in <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/feb/03/free-nursery-places-children-education" target="_blank">this <span style="font-style: italic;">Guardian</span> article</a>.

Free Entitlement to Education for Three- and Four-Year-Olds

A new report from the National Audit Office examines the effects of free nursery places for preschool children. Delivering the Impact of Free Entitlement to Education for Three- and Four-Year Olds looks at the impact of such places on results at Key Stage One, and also how their take-up varies aroun…

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Twitter for Teachers

If you're a teacher (or trainee teacher on a PGCE) then you may be interested in <a href="http://www.creativeeducation.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Creative-Education-Twitter-for-Teachers-Final.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Creative</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Education Guide to Twitter for Teachers</span></a>. This is a detailed 34 page guide put together by the team behind the <a href="http://www.creativeeducation.co.uk/" target="_blank">Creative Education</a> website, and provides plenty of advice, tips and guidance in using the service. Strongly recommended if you're toying with using Twitter in a professional capacity but don't know how to get started.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPQJhL_l51aOP-6P4oewsp6vVyG7QOiuLyG_G46F4joEF5FbOOOVxZ4k7Cf6xezWiuQFe8pG6R4H1yA9suToQhrbfohcqjElca37ZV9G99uDMtaQ7MlQb-VpkvjUjm0eLJq9ODT2s2Q/s1600/Twitter.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704168378825283266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPQJhL_l51aOP-6P4oewsp6vVyG7QOiuLyG_G46F4joEF5FbOOOVxZ4k7Cf6xezWiuQFe8pG6R4H1yA9suToQhrbfohcqjElca37ZV9G99uDMtaQ7MlQb-VpkvjUjm0eLJq9ODT2s2Q/s200/Twitter.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 155px; height: 155px;" /></a><br /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);" class=" down" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link"></span></span>

Twitter for Teachers

If you're a teacher (or trainee teacher on a PGCE) then you may be interested in The Creative Education Guide to Twitter for Teachers. This is a detailed 34 page guide put together by the team behind the Creative Education website, and provides plenty of advice, tips and guidance in using the servic…

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