50 Fantastic Ideas for Seasons


Book Description

Not only is the changing of the seasons an ideal time for children to focus on their understanding and exploration of the world around them, it is also a fantastic opportunity to encourage them to learn new skills or consolidate existing ones, using 'seasons' as a focus. The activities will support practitioners in exploring and reinforcing key learning around Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Although the ideas are linked to specific seasons, the concepts and skills are transferable to other seasons or activities. Suitable for Early Years practitioners and parents, this book is packed full of original ideas to inspire both adults and children. There are activities for both indoor and outdoor inspiration as well as some that can be done in both. Each activity also features guidance on how to extend the learning further as well as an overview of some of the things the children will be learning while they are participating. Regardless of whether you are freezing in the winter snow or melting in summer sun there will be something here to inspire!




50 Fantastic Ideas for Tuff Trays


Book Description

_______________ The 50 Fantastic Ideas series is packed full of fun, original, skills-based activities for Early Years practitioners to use with children aged 0-5. Each activity features step-by-step guidance, a list of resources, and a detailed explanation of the skills children will learn. Creative, simple, and highly effective, this series is a must-have for every Early Years setting. The tuff tray is a staple resource that is often abandoned or underused in early years settings. However, when used effectively, a tuff tray can enhance a child's learning through its versatile usage, such as messy play or as enhancements to support themes and ideas that are being explored. A simple tuff tray provocation can offer many learning opportunities to help a child progress and develop, as its sensory play approach promotes open-ended investigations and problem solving. 50 Fantastic Ideas for Tuff Trays is packed full of exciting activities that are not only simple and easy to prepare and manage, but that also use materials and tools found in most settings and at very low cost. With ideas for tuff trays that support books, promote mathematics and are ideal for celebrations and festivals, this book creates inviting opportunities for learning objectives to be met in an exciting and creative way.




50 Fantastic Ideas for Farm Activities


Book Description

_______________ The 50 Fantastic Ideas series is packed full of fun, original, skills-based activities for Early Years practitioners to use with children aged 0-5. Each activity features step-by-step guidance, a list of resources, and a detailed explanation of the skills children will learn. Creative, simple, and highly effective, this series is a must-have for every Early Years setting. _______________ A collection of 50 fun and effective activities to help explore and bring to life themes around farming and food production. The ideas in this book will develop a child's confidence, curiosity and connection with the land that sustains them and supports their development within the Early Learning Framework, including new vocabulary, mathematical skills, development of fine motor skills and making healthy food choices. Activities such as 'explore fruit browning,' 'balloon sheep sheering' and 'discover your dinner plate' provide real-life connections to the farm-to-fork journey. The programme, designed by experts from the Country Trust, the UK's leading agricultural education charity, offers a framework through which to explore health, cooking, growing, animals, ethics, care for the environment, nature and much more. The sensory and wide-ranging connections of the farm nurture their relationship with nature and provide benefits for their mental and physical health. 50 Fantastic Ideas for Farm Activities can be used to provide inspiration for a farm theme in the classroom, for activities to complement a class growing project, to introduce ways to use food, farming or natural themes to strengthen aspects of the curriculum, or to support a farm visit. This book will show practitioners how to make exploring every aspect of a farm-to-fork journey a fun and foundational part of any setting.




50 Fantastic Ideas for Forest School


Book Description

The 50 Fantastic Ideas series is packed full of fun, original, skills-based activities for Early Years practitioners to use with children aged 0-5. Each activity features step-by-step guidance, a list of resources, and a detailed explanation of the skills children will learn. Creative, simple, and highly effective, this series is a must-have for every Early Years setting. Jamie Victoria Barnes, creator of The Childcare Guru, uses her wealth of knowledge to present an invaluable resource filled with activities that spark creativity and encourage development and learning in a natural environment, perfect for helping young children enjoy a healthy and balanced lifestyle. The benefits of rich outdoor learning experiences are second to none. Outdoor learning offers holistic development for every child and in a fast-paced world heavily focussed on technology, forest schools provide a stimulating and relaxed environment to learn in, away from time pressures and electric devices. 50 Fantastic Ideas for Forest School presents full-colour photographs and easy-to-follow activities from Forest School TV to natural art self-portraits to get young children outside and reconnecting with the natural world, supporting their emotional and spiritual wellbeing. With over 40 books in the 50 Fantastic Ideas series there's something for everyone – whether you're a practitioner looking for new ideas or you want to try out a popular well-loved activity with a new twist. Each book offers a wide range of fun and creative activities to carry out with children aged 0 – 5 years, with lists of resources, step-by-step instructions and information about the benefits for children.




Effective Transition into Year One


Book Description

Essential reading for all Reception and Year One teachers, presenting a clear and practical map for effective transition to support children's emotional, social and academic development. Bestselling author Dr Alistair Bryce-Clegg presents a clear map to support children as they move from the Early Years into Key Stage 1. Helping children make the transition into Year One is a challenge. When done well it can have a significant impact on children's social, emotional and academic development, but when done badly it can set some children's development back by up to a year. Dr Bryce-Clegg is determined to help practitioners conquer this challenge. Having been involved in a number of transition projects that specifically focus on children's development throughout this period, Alistair draws upon his experience in this book. Packed full of practical ideas to help practitioners to plan for and create an effective learning environment that promotes high levels of attainment in Year One based on the effective principles of EYFS practice, this book should be in every Reception and Year One teacher's library.




50 Fantastic Ideas for Exploring Nature


Book Description

Many practitioners are under pressure to deliver effective outdoor learning experiences for all children. Current resources are aimed at academic studies or families - this book is an inspirational and accessible resource for practitioners. A starting point for outdoor activities that really engage, encourage and develop children.




50 Fantastic Ideas for Outside All Year Round


Book Description

Outdoors is a great space to enhance and extend children's learning. There are lots of children who have a natural affinity with the outdoors and use it as their preferred learning space. As adults supporting children's learning, it is important to support the investigation of their outdoor environment, but also that learning is taken into those spaces and delivered to children in the most engaging way that it can be. What you can (almost) always guarantee is children's enthusiasm to take their learning outdoors, what you can't always guarantee is the weather! In 50 Fantastic Ideas for Outdoor All Year Round Alistair has created 50 ideas that will get children and practitioners outside and learning come rain, snow, wind or sunshine! All of the activities have got their own central skill that can then be adapted to fit the interests of the children or each setting's own particular outdoor environment. So, whether your setting's outdoor space is a back garden, a small yard or large playground there will be activities that can be used and that will inspire young learners.




50 Fantastic Ideas for Take-Home Activities


Book Description

_______________ The 50 Fantastic Ideas series is packed full of fun, original, skills-based activities for Early Years practitioners to use with children aged 0-5. Each activity features step-by-step guidance, a list of resources, and a detailed explanation of the skills children will learn. Creative, simple, and highly effective, this series is a must-have for every Early Years setting. This book from the award-winning '50 Fantastic Ideas' series is packed full of activities that will inspire practitioners and motivate children to explore the world around them. It contains ideas that are easy for practitioners to digest, allowing them to easily pass on strategies and instant ideas to parents and carers. The introduction will explain to practitioners how these activities could be shared with families and how to entice and include the harder to reach families, who would not necessarily buy a book or look at activities online. The activities encourage creative play and exploration, and will inspire tasks set for home learning.




50 Fantastic Ideas for Small World Provocations


Book Description

_______________ The 50 Fantastic Ideas series is packed full of fun, original, skills-based activities for Early Years practitioners to use with children aged 0-5. Each activity features step-by-step guidance, a list of resources, and a detailed explanation of the skills children will learn. Creative, simple, and highly effective, this series is a must-have for every Early Years setting. Small world play offers a wide range of learning opportunities for young children. Acting out narratives and ideas through the manipulation of small or miniature equipment, tools, toys and objects helps children to respond to their environment. Play becomes representative of real-life situations and is a medium through which children can explore their own feelings about these events and experiences in a safe and productive way. The frequent inclusion of sensory elements in this play also deepens experiences. Small world play is rich in possibilities for specific, thematic, learning, such as gathering information about spaces, positions, colours and cultures. Small world play is entertaining, challenging, motivating and allows children to use their imaginations and decide on their own play choices. Many practitioners find it challenging to continually renew the play environment, but this book suggests ideas for how to ensure a meaningful play content that replicates environments or scenarios that children can connect to, using a large variety of resources from natural materials to specific props. Presented in the accessible, practical and flexible 50 Fantastic Ideas format, Judit Horvath's book is a compendium of ideas that will ensure you get the most out of small world play in your setting, without over-stimulating and distracting the children involved.




50 Fantastic Ideas for Fearless Play


Book Description

The 50 Fantastic Ideas series is packed full of fun, original, skills-based activities for Early Years practitioners to use with children aged 0-5. Each activity features step-by-step guidance, a list of resources, and a detailed explanation of the skills children will learn. Creative, simple, and highly effective, this series is a must-have for every Early Years setting. Fearless play is a key element in developing a child's confidence, extending their limits, and helping them learn to assess risks and manage situations. This book is full of fun and colourful ideas for facilitating fearless play in early years settings. The variety of activities means there's something for every child to enjoy, ranging from basket making to mud racing. Each idea is targeted to help children face new challenges and explore the world around them, as well as helping to establish motor skills, coordination, and body awareness. A perfect resource for busy early years practitioners who want children in their care to play safely and fearlessly.