How children explore the universe?The article '
How children explore the universe?' is an article that Gill Deakin, School Improvement Adviser has used for discussion during the EYFS leadership course, to help EYFS leaders tune into children.
It is wonderful to read articles that make you think, that make you explore individual words that you read or phrases that make you get excited about a child's learning processes.
'Have you ever wondered how children explore the universe' was the title of an article that caught my eye and then I was hooked and read on to find other phrases….
'…. the child as a powerful and competent being'
'...the child sees every situation as an opportunity to learn, expand and change'
'...brain studies have confirmed that learning engages the entire body. In this connection, learning is a mental and physical process. A particularly important quality of learning in children is that this is a social process – a joint formation of knowledge and meaning'……if you ask me what the secret of a child's universe is and how they approach the exploration of the world around them, I would say that the answer is in the child's openness, inquisitiveness, curiosity and wish to share what they do with others. Every bang in their universe leads to a new question and exploration.
I can imagine that as an interview question – "How would you provide for a bang in a child's universe to lead them into exciting questions and explorations?"
EYFS leaders' courseDue to demand an extra EYFS leaders' course has been scheduled to start in January. This 3 part course will address what is needed to be an effective EYFS lead. How you can write, implement and manage an appropriate plan of action to keep a very important phase of education moving forward.
If you would like to find out more or book a place visit
CPD online.
The importance of the characteristics of effective learning throughout continuous provision Thursday 11 February 2021, 1.15pm to 3.15pm
Continuous provision describes the exciting learning that is available in the environment every day to the children, both inside and outside.
During this course we will explore part of your essential role as an adult in the early years' environment - observing how the children are learning, in other words, the characteristics of effective learning. If a child is curious about something they've just seen or heard, how can you encourage them to find out more and still be an independent learner? What might problem-solving look like for a four or five-year-old? How are you going to identify the next steps for each unique child that you see each day in their play and how can you communicate this information to the rest of the team so that significant moments in a child's learning are acted upon and the child can make progress with their skills and knowledge through that all-important play-based approach to learning.
For further details and to book visit
CPD online.
EYFSP Cluster ModerationThere has not yet been any announcement regarding the expectation on Local Authorities and schools regarding early years moderation and collection of EYFSP data in summer 2021.
We currently have cluster moderation sessions scheduled to take place in March, to help ensure the accuracy and consistency of EYFSP assessments made by early year's providers. These sessions are available to book through CPD online, (search 'EYFSP').
We would encourage schools to still book themselves a place on one of these sessions because even if we are not required to moderate in the same way this year, it is our intention to use this time to support Reception teachers with the quality assurance of their provision for Reception aged children for both on site and home learning. This will also support the process of internal moderation.
At these sessions, we can evaluate the learning that has taken place so far this academic year and discuss how the remainder of the year can be used to support further learning in order for each child to reach their full potential and achieve the Early Learning Goals. It will be an ideal opportunity, to have that professional dialogue between colleagues about the accuracy of judgements that each teacher is making. We will use the virtual 'meeting room' facility for this.
The prime purpose of the EYFSP information at the end of the year is to inform the Year 1 teachers of the children's strengths and areas of development so that they can meet their needs and carry on their learning. The sessions will therefore also provide an opportunity to discuss and gain a shared view of the consistency and accuracy of judgements being made in preparation for this transition later in the year. If you have any queries about Early Years moderation and assessment, please contact Gill Deakin: Gdeakin@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk
