Used as a measure of quality in the ground-breaking Effective Provision of Pre-School Education (EPPE) project, Sustained Shared Thinking is fundamental to good early years practice. It costs nothing, yet research has shown that it improves outcomes for children by supporting their holistic development. This book clearly explains what Sustained Shared Thinking is and examines the skills and expertise needed to initiate, encourage and facilitate it. The book explores the attitudes, knowledge and understanding that a practitioner must adopt in order to start or develop successful Sustained Shared Thinking. Combining theory with practical guidance, it demonstrates how it can be achieved, covering all aspects of early years practice including the Characteristics of Effective Learning, the Prime and Specific Areas of learning development, the role of the practitioner, the environment and working with parents. Features include: boxed links to key theory and research; practical strategies highlighted in the text; consideration of children at different ages and stages of development; links throughout to the Early Years Foundation Stage. Written by a leading consultant who regularly delivers training on Sustained Shared Thinking, this will be an essential text for students on foundation degree and childhood studies courses as well as early years practitioners.

Inclusion is a difficult, complex issue for which there are no off-the-shelf answers. To be an effective practitioner it is necessary to identify what makes each situation and circumstance unique and use this knowledge to develop strategies and approaches that are appropriate. This timely new text examines the key perceptions, perspectives and concepts around inclusion in the Early Years. Drawing on real-life experiences of practitioners, it considers the questions practitioners are likely to come across in their professional lives and how they might genuinely go about meeting the needs of all the children in their care. The book covers all aspects of inclusion including special educational needs, gender and sexuality, multiculturalism, multilingualism, Roma and traveller communities and economic wellbeing. Each chapter features: Case studies to develop reflective thinking Boxed examples to illustrate key points Questions to promote discussion and debate Annotated further reading lists With case studies drawn from current research and thinking points which encourage reflective practice, this book will be essential reading for students on early childhood studies programmes and early years foundation degrees that wish to become reflective and critically aware practitioners.

Used as a measure of quality in the ground-breaking Effective Provision of Pre-School Education (EPPE) project, Sustained Shared Thinking is fundamental to good early years practice. It costs nothing, yet research has shown that it improves outcomes for children by supporting their holistic development. This book clearly explains what Sustained Shared Thinking is and examines the skills and expertise needed to initiate, encourage and facilitate it. The book explores the attitudes, knowledge and understanding that a practitioner must adopt in order to start or develop successful Sustained Shared Thinking. Combining theory with practical guidance, it demonstrates how it can be achieved, covering all aspects of early years practice including the Characteristics of Effective Learning, the Prime and Specific Areas of learning development, the role of the practitioner, the environment and working with parents. Features include: boxed links to key theory and research; practical strategies highlighted in the text; consideration of children at different ages and stages of development; links throughout to the Early Years Foundation Stage. Written by a leading consultant who regularly delivers training on Sustained Shared Thinking, this will be an essential text for students on foundation degree and childhood studies courses as well as early years practitioners.

Inclusion is a difficult, complex issue for which there are no off-the-shelf answers. To be an effective practitioner it is necessary to identify what makes each situation and circumstance unique and use this knowledge to develop strategies and approaches that are appropriate. This timely new text examines the key perceptions, perspectives and concepts around inclusion in the Early Years. Drawing on real-life experiences of practitioners, it considers the questions practitioners are likely to come across in their professional lives and how they might genuinely go about meeting the needs of all the children in their care. The book covers all aspects of inclusion including special educational needs, gender and sexuality, multiculturalism, multilingualism, Roma and traveller communities and economic wellbeing. Each chapter features: Case studies to develop reflective thinking Boxed examples to illustrate key points Questions to promote discussion and debate Annotated further reading lists With case studies drawn from current research and thinking points which encourage reflective practice, this book will be essential reading for students on early childhood studies programmes and early years foundation degrees that wish to become reflective and critically aware practitioners.

The Holistic Care and Development of Children from Birth to Three provides students and practitioners with the knowledge and understanding they need to meet the complex needs of babies and toddlers. With a focus on the fundamentally holistic nature of young children's development, and emphasising the role of play, and the emotional and physical environment throughout, the book shows its reader how to maximise each and every opportunity for learning when caring for the under threes. The text addresses both theory and practice, foregrounding the vital link between the two as the reader learns how to integrate theoretical approaches into their own setting and ways of working. From personal, physical, social and emotional development, to cooperation with parents, SEN and enabling environments, a wealth of topics are discussed in the depth and detail required to ensure that children can be given the best possible start in their critical first three years. Throughout the book, the following features help the reader to reflect on, and develop their own practice: 'Case Studies' put key topics in context 'Reflective Questions' help the reader test and consolidate their knowledge of key topics 'Review your Practice' boxes invite the reader to reflect on their own practice 'Further Reading and Research' suggestions inspire independent study in key areas. The book is also supported by a companion website featuring links to relevant videos and articles, as well as an interactive flashcard glossary.

The Holistic Care and Development of Children from Birth to Three provides students and practitioners with the knowledge and understanding they need to meet the complex needs of babies and toddlers. With a focus on the fundamentally holistic nature of young children's development, and emphasising the role of play, and the emotional and physical environment throughout, the book shows its reader how to maximise each and every opportunity for learning when caring for the under threes. The text addresses both theory and practice, foregrounding the vital link between the two as the reader learns how to integrate theoretical approaches into their own setting and ways of working. From personal, physical, social and emotional development, to cooperation with parents, SEN and enabling environments, a wealth of topics are discussed in the depth and detail required to ensure that children can be given the best possible start in their critical first three years. Throughout the book, the following features help the reader to reflect on, and develop their own practice: 'Case Studies' put key topics in context 'Reflective Questions' help the reader test and consolidate their knowledge of key topics 'Review your Practice' boxes invite the reader to reflect on their own practice 'Further Reading and Research' suggestions inspire independent study in key areas. The book is also supported by a companion website featuring links to relevant videos and articles, as well as an interactive flashcard glossary.

Children develop and learn best when their environment is tailored to their individual needs, supported through careful observation, informed assessment and dynamic planning - a cycle which is the bedrock of good early years practice.

Although the EYFS recommends that observation, assessment and planning should be linked in a constant, cyclical process, in practice this can be a significant challenge. This book presents an integrated framework which puts the cycle into practical terms, bringing it all together to ensure a seamless process and to support you in this vital part of your work.

The focus is on the critical links within the cycle and combines theory with proven good practice, including: Making and recording observations effectively and efficiently How observations should inform next steps, assessment and planning Bringing all the information together into a cyclical process Exploring potential challenges Using reflective practice to refine and improve your techniques Rich in practical examples and case studies that illustrate how the cyclical framework works in practice, this is an excellent resource for early years practitioners and students looking to improve their observation, assessment and planning techniques.

"""Observation, Assessment and Planning in the Early Years - Bringing it All Together," actually does bring it all together. Kathy Brodie has linked theorists from the past to the present, skilfully connecting to the revised EYFS. Early Years students and practitioners will have the opportunity to reflect on the innovative ideas that she has suggested. Kathy has also included detailed information on observing SEN children. This modern update to observation, assessment and planning is a must read for the early years sector."
Laura Henry, Managing Director, Childcare Consultancy

"This is a very well researched and practical guide to observation, planning and assessment in the Early Years. Kathy has collected together both historical and current thinking and ideas around the subject and then presented them in a way that is easy for the reader to access, understand and, more importantly, apply.
The structure and format of the book helps the reader to check their understanding of the key learning points and then supports them in working through any challenges that they may have along with answers to key questions.
"Observation, Planning and Assessment in the Early Years" is an essential read for all Early Years Practitioners from those with experience to those just starting out."
Alistair Bryce-Clegg, Early Years Consultant

"This is a wonderful and timely resource to help practitioners make and use well informed judgements of young children's learning and achievement. The four threads of observation, assessment, next steps and planning are skilfully woven together. Plentiful exemplifications and case studies vividly illustrate theoretical points and give young children a central place in the book."
Marion Dowling, Early Years Specialist and Vice President of Early Education"

The City of Light Sedona published in 2009 is a prelude to the 2013 book also by Genii Townsend, SOMETHING'S COMING! Universal Cities of Light, Love and Healing! Most of the 200+ pages in The City of Light Sedona are included in the 448 page SOMETHING'S COMING! published in 2013 to include another 100+ visits Genii has taken into the City of Light Embassy of Peace Headquarters. Please see the new listing for SOMETHING'S COMING before placing an order for this prequel. What do you get if you combine: Sedona's ancient history (according to Native Americans) as a Sacred site, a "crystal city of light" and portal for intergalactic visitors scenes from the movie Cocoon of the aliens as "light bodies"; scenes from the movie Contact with technical plans for the intergalactic transportation machine being "downloaded"; light frequency healing technologies from Star Trek; the essence of Ken Cary's books The Starseed Transmissions and The Third Millennium; and Shirley MacLaine's book and mini-series Out on A Limb? The answer . . . The City of Light Sedona: Revelation of the Prophecies, Purpose, Plans and Manifestation of Cities of Light, Love and Healing. In this exciting 200+ publication, author Genii Townsend shares information she has kept secret for 25 years. The book describes several prophecies, the purpose and plans for a prototype City of Light in Sedona, Arizona. Included are diagrams and descriptions of advanced "Light Healing Technologies," discussion of the need for spiritual awakening and enlightenment on earth, descriptions of the healing features of the City and Sedona's past and future "ultimate destiny" as a prototype City of Light. The book also includes messages Genii has received as a "trans-audio" and about 40 visits she has made in 2009 and 2010 to the Embassy of Peace Headquarters within the City of Light. Once in the middle of Genii's ordinary life, God gave her a mission like no other she had ever heard of. You, the reader, are invited to journey with her into.... THE CITY OF LIGHT SEDONA! JUST IMAGINE... Experiencing healing techniques in light modules where no drugs, knives, or needles can sever the body's electrical lines. A Memory Manor building where you can release past memory hurts with no emotion attached. A Fountain of Light that makes you feel physically and mentally great, and sitting on benches that massage the body. An Empowerment Emporium where you can balance your emotions. A Birth-aterium where babies are born laughing with the mother who had no anesthesia, no pain and the only crying is for the pure joy of the experience. A stadium-size building called The Embassy Of Peace where Light Beings from the Universe gather to help bring forth Peace on this Earth.