As the leaves begin their spectacular transformation and autumn treasures appear on our playground surfaces, there’s no better time to bring the wonder of the season indoors through creative, hands-on learning. Autumn Nature People, delightful life-sized figures crafted from natural materials, offer EYFS practitioners a perfect blend of seasonal celebration, creative expression, and sensory-rich learning ... Read more The post Creating Magical Autumn Nature People: A Complete EYFS Activity ...| Special Education and Inclusive Learning
Nursery Object Sorting Games: Fun, Easy, and Educational Activities for EYFS Nursery object sorting games are some of the most effective and accessible learning tools in the early years. These activities support foundational skills across communication, thinking, maths, and sensory development. Whether you’re a teacher, childminder, or parent looking for simple sorting activities for toddlers ... Read more The post Nursery Object Sorting Games appeared first on Special Education and Inclusi...| Special Education and Inclusive Learning
Indoor & Outdoor Activities for Every Child Gross motor skills form the foundation for all learning. When children develop strong core muscles, balance, coordination, and spatial awareness, they’re better equipped to sit attentively, write clearly, and engage confidently in classroom activities. These 50 games provide the movement experiences children need to succeed in school while ... Read more The post 50 Gross Motor Skills Games That Build School Readiness appeared first on Special Educ...| Special Education and Inclusive Learning
A Practical Guide for Teachers (and Parents) Understanding Fine Motor Skills Development Fine motor skills develop when children practice precise, controlled movements using the small muscles in their hands and fingers. These skills are essential for everyday activities like writing, buttoning clothes, and using utensils. When children engage in craft activities, they naturally strengthen these ... Read more The post 100 Fine Motor Skills Craft Activities appeared first on Special Education a...| Special Education and Inclusive Learning
Unlock the Magic of Show and Tell: A Guide for Early Years and Primary Teachers Show and tell isn’t just about sharing a favourite toy; it’s a powerful way to spark curiosity, build confidence, and grow vital communication skills in young learners. Done right, it transforms simple sharing into a rich learning experience, deepening connections ... Read more The post Age-Appropriate Show and Tell Tips for Teachers appeared first on Special Education and Inclusive Learning.| Special Education and Inclusive Learning
“Destructive” Play: A Teacher’s Guide to Learning and Development in Early Years The term “destructive play” often conjures images of chaos: broken toys, scattered blocks, and frustrated adults. As early years educators, we frequently see children pushing things over, purposefully dropping objects, or disassembling items. Naturally, we might perceive these actions as misbehavior, defiance, or ... Read more The post Destructive Play in EYFS: Embrace the Power of “Unbuilding” appe...| Special Education and Inclusive Learning
Supporting holistic development through crafts, hands-on exploration and creative expression There’s something truly magical about watching a three-year-old discover that mixing yellow and blue paint creates green, or seeing the pure joy on a toddler’s face as they squelch playdough between their fingers for the first time. These moments aren’t just delightful to witness – ... Read more The post EYFS Messy Play: Integrating Craft and Sensory Learning appeared first on Special Educatio...| Special Education and Inclusive Learning
Supporting the Transforming Schema Through Art As early years practitioners, we often encounter children who seem magnetically drawn to mixing, squishing, and transforming materials. These little scientists are exploring what we call the transforming schema, and art activities provide the perfect laboratory for this crucial developmental work. I’ve discovered that children with a strong transforming ... Read more The post 6 Transforming Schema Art Activities appeared first on Special Educat...| Special Education and Inclusive Learning
Standing at my classroom window this morning, watching the last of the autumn leaves spiral down onto the playground, I was reminded of Jamie, a four-year-old in my class who struggles with any form of transition. Just six weeks ago, he’d stood frozen in the doorway, overwhelmed by the prospect of his favourite summer tree ... Read more The post 5 Activities for Teaching About Changing Seasons appeared first on Special Education and Inclusive Learning.| Special Education and Inclusive Learning
How One Simple Texture Activity Transformed Our Creation Story Time (And Stopped the Fidgeting Forever) If you’ve taught Bible stories in EYFS, you know the challenge. Twenty-eight children aged 4-5, different attention spans, varying developmental needs, and a curriculum requirement to deliver meaningful RE content. Traditional storytelling methods often leave some children restless, others disengaged, ... Read more The post Creation Story Texture Timeline Sensory Activity appeared first o...| Special Education and Inclusive Learning
Across the board, the Development Matters framework is available to support and guide nursery practitioners, together with the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage framework (EYFS).| Learning Journals
The beneficial effects of outdoor learning and play on children’s experiences have been known for thousands of years, but parents seem generally more afraid to let their children explore, play and discover outside by themselves. This is the ‘Cotton Wool ‘generation, wrapped up & overprotected in many ways, allowed hours of technology rather than climbing […] The post Why Outdoor Learning Boosts Children’s Development appeared first on First Discoverers.| First Discoverers
Author June O’Sullivan is a committed standard-bearer for early years, social business and child poverty, and her role as CEO of the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF) affords her ample opportunity to address all three causes. Awarded an MBE in 2013 for her services to London’s children, June offers First Discoverers some thoughtful childcare reflections […] The post Interview with LEYF’s June O’Sullivan MBE appeared first on First Discoverers.| First Discoverers
This post will outline the importance of using a Learning Journey Template to track all children's progress, in all areas of learning and development while at nursery.| Learning Journals
In this post we look at positive behaviour management strategies, providing a guide that looks at strategies, why it's so important, and what it looks like in early years.| Learning Journals
