What are schemas and why do they matter? Again! Again! provides an introduction to understanding and supporting schemas and schema play in young children. Practitioners will find an overview of schemas with guidance on where they fit within the EYFS. There are examples of schemas, with illustrations and descriptions of common behaviour patterns, and these are set within the general context of child development. The intention is to help early years practitioners identify schemas and to understand both how important they are and the vital role they play in the growing child's learning. The aim is to help the reader understand how they can develop, plan and resource activities which support children's learning through experiment and play.

Translating research about child neuroscience into practice in education is a daunting prospect for most practitioners. In fact, many see it as fraught with difficulties and risky. However, the importance of this research has never been more important. The context of the early years in the UK, has seen considerable changes within recent years, with a raft of government regulation and guidance, and a national move to free childcare entitlement at increasingly earlier ages. Combined with a mounting pressure for accountability in 'Closing the Gap' between disadvantaged children and those more fortunate, these pressures make it fundamental that those working with young children understand what neuroscience is telling us, and more important, what it is not. Practitioners, teachers managers, and governors in settings and schools will not only be called to account for the attainment of their children, as measured in tests, but in the way children are prepared for lifelong earning, which will support them for the rest of their school lives and beyond. This book is a comprehensive position statement for practitioners that highlights: where we are now; what we know; what we don't know; what research developments mean for practitioners and setting, and how this fits in with the government expectations within the EYFS framework. Sally Featherstone covers the current thinking in educational research and neuroscience, how some of this has been misinterpreted by 'early adopters' or 'over-enthusiastic promoters', and how new information can help practitioners to be more effective in their work with young children.

The 'Carrying on in Key Stage 1' series supports the continuing growth and development of independent learning and practical activities, which are features of early learning. The aim is to encourage teachers in Key Stage 1 to build on the best of practice in the Early Years Foundation Stage, balancing adult directed tasks with learning that children initiate and develop themselves. The activities covered by the series are the ones children often say they miss most when they move into Years 1 and 2. Sand offers ideas and guidance for providing children with a wide range of interesting challenges to use sand, gravel and other natural materials to explore, construct, imagine and experiment. It supports development in literacy, numeracy and creativity through active play and problem solving. The authors are all experienced educators who have worked in schools, settings and local authority support services, and are now in high demand as writers and trainers.

Little Baby Books have been written to give straighforward and practical help in implementing the advice contained in the Birth to Three Matters guidance (DfES/Sure Start, 2003). they are by experts in child development and early learning. All the suggested activities have been tried and tested with children in the appropriate age group. Each book covers one area of learning, an four broad stages of development. Visual links make it easy to see which is the focus group for the activity. No special equipment is required - most activities rely on things you already have, or can easily collect. Activities are fun and easy to use. Each page: - has clear instructions for the activity - shows how the activity can be matched to individual children, including those with additional needs - points out what to watch for and note during the activity, so you see the learning in action - describes how thw child's learning develops and how it links with later skills

You can grow something in every setting! This book helps you to offer the magic of plants and flowers even in the most difficult situations. Seeds, pips, stones and cuttings are all explored, and there are suggestions for hanging baskets, window boxes and growing your own food.

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. Messy play is at the heart of the early years curriculum, supporting creativity and imagination, and giving children opportunities to experiment with tactile materials. This book offers 50 ideas for using natural resources, simple household items and recycled resources for low cost inspiration. Practitioners and teachers in the early years are always looking for new ideas for messy and 'hands-on' play, and this book will give children many opportunities for exploration and investigation through sensory play.

Natasha is good at taking turns. TJ isn't! Natasha waits for her turn to wash her hands. TJ doesn't. She waits to speak to Grandma. TJ doesn't. She waits for her turn in games. TJ doesn't. However, there is one thing Natasha doesn't want to wait for - goodnight kisses! Each of the simple stories in the Dealing with Feelings series, beautifully illustrated by Melissa Four, explores a familiar childhood experience. These stories help children to process and understand a variety of emotions, while helpful tips at the back of the book suggest ways for parents and practitioners to build on the understanding in many creative and fun ways.

This story explores how it feels to be a younger sibling. Gregory notices that in many situations, his big brother Derek can achieve more he can score more goals, reach higher, and ride his bike faster.

Molly and Sunita are playgroup friends who spend time together every day, playing, talking, and learning about getting on with each other. Their relationship is generally good but even the best of friends sometimes fall out or feel grumpy! Molly is learning that Sunita has moods and feelings, but these will not get in the way of true friendship. The Dealing with Feelings series teaches positive behaviour and promotes personal, social, emotional skills. Developed and written by experts and supported by research, each book includes additional notes and tips to help teachers, practitioners and parents reinforce the lessons children are learning through the simple stories.

Developing fine motor skills is a key feature in learning to read and write. Many children need additional help to develop these skills in the Early Years Foundation Stage, and The Little Book of Fine Motor Skills gives you lots of ideas for interesting activities focused on hand/eye coordination and refining the movements of arms and hands. Like all the other books in the Little Book series, this book presents appropriate and enjoyable activities in a simple format, which would enable the most inexperienced practitioners to plan and deliver the curriculum against clear objectives.

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. Exploring and investigating familiar objects and places gives children real experiences to think, plan and get involved in both indoors and outside. This book gives a variety of ideas for investigations, some of which will extend far beyond the simple initial starting points. Simple observations can turn into early science, technology and creative thinking. Using familiar and easily found objects, the investigations will involve and encourage children to develop these thoughts.

For a child, moving from the Early Years Foundation Stage into Key Stage 1 can be a huge change. It is up to the adults involved to make the process of transition as smooth and continuous as possible. This brand new edition contains advice for teachers, teaching assistants, practitioners, parents and managers on supporting children though and after the move. It includes a special section on how we can use new knowledge about how children learn to help them build on their previous experiences of learning and what we can do to help them cope with the emotional factors involved in the change.

_______________ 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. 50 Fantastic Ideas for Sharing and Playing introduces children to the concept of sharing and supports practitioners with lots of ideas for sharing through play. Sharing is an essential skill for children to learn and this simple text has activity ideas for both indoors and outdoors, helping children to share their talk and thoughts as well as their belongings. For young children and those children who are not used to sharing they need to be introduced to the concept in a meaningful way, which is going to make them willing to share, as they are keen to achieve the ultimate reward. The best way to do this is through play. Children are far more likely to able to apply what they have learnt about sharing through a real play experience than they are to apply the morals of a sharing story to their every day life and ultimately shows children that sharing can help them to achieve their goals.

This story celebrates the many things that a young child can do independently. Natasha is very proud of her self-help skills. She can pour her own drink, wash her hands, dress herself, and even get her own breakfast.

Give your sand and water sessions a new lease of life with this fully updated Little Book. Split into two sections, it offers a range of activities for sand and water play that link to the early learning goals and which are accompanied by a list of suggested resources, useful vocabulary and related songs and stories to take the theme further.

Carrying on in Key Stage 1 is written to help teachers continue key practical activities and child focused learning throughout Key Stage 1. The activities are easily mapped onto the National Curriculum Programmes of Study for this age group, which is included in short form within the book. With the child at the centre of the activities, the book offers many exciting suggestions for topic based work, following on from and building upon the work children have done in the Foundation Stage. There is a host of ideas for using everyday materials such as paper and wood, along with purpose-designed construction materials such as Lego. The tasks included in the book are active, varied and challenging - guaranteed to interest both boys and girls. Role Play, a new title in this lively and detailed series follows Construction, Sand and Water, now popular resources in many schools. The knowledge, experience and national profile of the authors will ensure a strong demand for what is bound tobe another popular title.

_______________ 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. You only need to watch children to know that boys and girls learn differently! It's not that girls don't like to be outdoors, to get messy or to be noisily active, they do - they are just able control their muscles at a younger age, so they can sit, watch and listen to adults more easily. They can also manipulate materials and tools such as pencils (called fine motor skills) earlier than many boys, so they are ready for the reading and writing activities in school. But we must resist the temptation to think that boys are not as good as girls - they are just different. Their skills and interests draw them to activities that are big, adventurous, risky and messy, and of course, they love being outside. All children like pretend play, but this is sometimes limited to domestic activity in the home corner, rather than allowing boys to experiment with roles often associated with grown-up men. This book offers you fifty ideas for things that make the most of the ways boys learn, capturing their interest and helping them to learn. Many offer opportunities for early writing, mathematics and reading, as well as technology, science and role-play.

If Publications develop knowledge and understanding of the world and stimulate creative thinking in role play by asking children 'What If?' Each What If? pack consists of a CD ROM and guidance booklet. The CD contains stunning, high resolution photographs and images which can be printed, projected or used with an interactive white board, plus support resources: * detailed drawings of a key character with their clothing and equipment * picture environments to stimulate play * illustrations of vehicles and machinery * lists, templates and writing frames * maps and posters * labels, badges and games to play * a linked story told in a slide show with original photographs and music * guidance booklet * high resolution photographs and images to stimulate talking and play Each What if kit consists of a CD RoM and guidance booklet. The CD contains lots of lively, exciting photographs and images which can be printed, projected, or used with an interactive whiteboard. Each CD also includes an introduction to the play, plus support resources - lists, labels, writing frames, backgrounds, borders, maps, pictures, etc. Practitioners will have their own ideas for using these inspirational materials, and the booklet provides additional ideas and guidance. The aim is to stimulate talking and thinking, and to provide a base for creative role play.

Messy play is an essential element of all Early Years Ssettings. The experiences help babies and childrean to develop eye and hand control, fine motor skills. muscles and language. The messy experiences in this book encourage development and learning through sensory play. They all use sight, touch and smell, and of course, many babies and children will want to taste the experience as well.

Little Baby Books have been written to give straighforward and practical help in implementing the advice contained in the Birth to Three Matters guidance (DfES/Sure Start, 2003). they are by experts in child development and early learning. All thesuggested activities have been tried and tested with children in the appropriate age group. Each book covers one area of learning, an four broad stages of development. Visual links make it easy to see which is the focus group for the activity. No special equipment is required - most activities rely on things you already have, or can easily collect. Activities are fun and easy to use. Each page: - has clear instructions for the activity - shows how the activity can be matched to individual children, including those with additional needs - points out what to watch for and note during the activity, so you see the learning in action - describes how thw child's learning develops and how it links with later skills

Little Baby Books have been written to give straighforward and practical help in implementing the advice contained in the Birth to Three Matters guidance (DfES/Sure Start, 2003). they are by experts in child development and early learning. All thesuggested activities have been tried and tested with children in the appropriate age group. Each book covers one area of learning, an four broad stages of development. Visual links make it easy to see which is the focus group for the activity. No special equipment is required - most activities rely on things you already have, or can easily collect. Activities are fun and easy to use. Each page: - has clear instructions for the activity - shows how the activity can be matched to individual children, including those with additional needs - points out what to watch for and note during the activity, so you see the learning in action - describes how thw child's learning develops and how it links with later skills

Little Baby Books have been written to give straighforward and practical help in implementing the advice contained in the Birth to Three Matters guidance (DfES/Sure Start, 2003). they are by experts in child development and early learning. All thesuggested activities have been tried and tested with children in the appropriate age group. Each book covers one area of learning, an four broad stages of development. Visual links make it easy to see which is the focus group for the activity. No special equipment is required - most activities rely on things you already have, or can easily collect. Activities are fun and easy to use. Each page: - has clear instructions for the activity - shows how the activity can be matched to individual children, including those with additional needs - points out what to watch for and note during the activity, so you see the learning in action - describes how thw child's learning develops and how it links with later skills

Ideas for making and using puppets you have made yourself with the children or using bought puppets. Ideas and activities for using puppets in stories, circle time, rhythm, phonics, etc. and story starter ideas.

Being a confident and competent user of language is at the heart of learning. Here are activities and ideas for developing communication and vocalisation.

_______________ 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. Each page gives step-by-step instructions, tips and plenty of further ideas for children ready for more. The experiences suggested in this book will help young children to grow and develop through a range of both planned and informal activities, many of which the reader will already be familiar with. The activities use objects and resources easily available in most homes and settings; they focus on practical activities and purposeful play for individuals, pairs and small groups. They allow children to develop at their own pace, to make unhurried discoveries and allow for much repetition.