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EYSH Blogs Lost words In harmonie Case Studies In Harmony Liverpool is geïnspireerd door El Sistema uit Venezuela en maakt gebruik van orkestmuziek om de gezondheid, het onderwijs en de ambities van kinderen en jongeren in Everton te verbeteren. In Harmony Liverpool, opgericht in 2009 in Faith Primary School met 84 kinderen, is uitgebreid zodat meer dan 700 kinderen en jongeren van 0-18 jaar en hun families nu elke week gratis deelnemen aan orkestmuziek van de hoogste kwaliteit. binnen en buiten school. Muziek maken vindt plaats op Faith Primary School, The Beacon CE Primary School, Everton Nursery School and Family Centre, All Saints Catholic Primary School, Anfield Children's Centre en bij Liverpool Philharmonic at the Friary, ons oefencentrum in West Everton._cc781905-5cde- 3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_ Case Studies Send in a Case Study to be published here. Mail Email: sphubnw@evertoncentre.liverpool.sch.uk Case Study Template By Diane Boyd ‘Lost words’ reflected through the three pillars of sustainability and the SDGs. Little Oaks Playschool Early Years Sustainable Hub – Case Study Template Little Oaks Playschool Climate Action Plan Home | Climate Action Strategy | Case Studies | Curriculum Resources | Blog and Video Logs

Sensory Garden In harmonie Blogs In Harmony Liverpool is geïnspireerd door El Sistema uit Venezuela en maakt gebruik van orkestmuziek om de gezondheid, het onderwijs en de ambities van kinderen en jongeren in Everton te verbeteren. In Harmony Liverpool, opgericht in 2009 in Faith Primary School met 84 kinderen, is uitgebreid zodat meer dan 700 kinderen en jongeren van 0-18 jaar en hun families nu elke week gratis deelnemen aan orkestmuziek van de hoogste kwaliteit. binnen en buiten school. Muziek maken vindt plaats op Faith Primary School, The Beacon CE Primary School, Everton Nursery School and Family Centre, All Saints Catholic Primary School, Anfield Children's Centre en bij Liverpool Philharmonic at the Friary, ons oefencentrum in West Everton._cc781905-5cde- 3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_ Blogs / Sensory Garden Everton Nursery Teacher Kate Doyle and Dr Diane Boyd present The Authentic development of a Sensory Garden through the 17 SDGs 1. The 'otherness' of the non-human world - highlighting worms! 2. Agency in Action – Children voicing their thinking through mark making. 3. Discovering recycling waste and contamination through a community visit. 4. Understanding Construction and Positioning of a Bug hotel in our garden. 5 Sparking interest through visiting Everton Park Nature Garden in our neighbourhood 6. The Fix-it Shop! Shopping lists, money, decision – making in action. 7. Sensory cognitive explorations using recycleable sustainable resources through tyres, hurricanes and the rain! Home | Climate Action Strategy | Case Studies | Curriculum Resources | Blog and Video Logs

The aim of our curriculum at Everton Nursery School and Family Centre is to encourage the all-round development of the child, socially, emotionally, physically, intellectually and spiritually in a safe, secure and stimulating environment through reference to the Early Years Foundation Stage. Leerplan Het doel van ons curriculum op Everton Nursery School and Family Center is om de algehele ontwikkeling van het kind te stimuleren, sociaal, emotioneel, fysiek, intellectueel en spiritueel in een veilige, zekere en stimulerende omgeving door verwijzing naar de Early Years Foundation Stage. We zijn toegewijd om te allen tijde de hoogst mogelijke normen van leren en onderwijzen voor onze jonge kinderen te waarborgen. We bieden doelgerichte en inspirerende leeromgevingen voor alle kinderen om te spelen, leren en ontdekken. We kijken, luisteren en zien hoe kinderen in hun eigen tempo groeien en dagen ze uit tijdens hun tijd op onze kleuterschool door middel van zorgvuldig geplande leerervaringen. We zijn van plan het Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) 'Development Matters'-kader te gebruiken en alle kinderen uit te rusten met brede en evenwichtige leerervaringen op alle zeven leer- en ontwikkelingsgebieden - zowel binnen als buiten! Planning voor de behoeften van kinderen Ons curriculum is zorgvuldig gepland voor de ontwikkelingsbehoeften van alle kinderen onder de 5 jaar. De fase van het onderwijs voor kinderen van 0-5 jaar wordt de Early Years Foundation Stage genoemd, die de kenmerken van effectief leren bij kinderen onderzoekt door middel van zeven gebieden van leren en ontwikkelen: Communicatie en taal Expressieve kunst en vormgeving Geletterdheid Wiskunde Lichamelijke ontwikkeling De wereld begrijpen Persoonlijke, Sociale en Emotionele Ontwikkeling Curriculum learning and teaching policy The Early Years Foundation Stage is used to plan for the development of the whole child. The children’s interests are used as starting points to stimulate learning. De basisfase van de vroege jaren wordt gebruikt om de ontwikkeling van het hele kind te plannen. De interesses van kinderen worden als uitgangspunt genomen om het leren te stimuleren. Alle gebieden van leren en ontwikkelen zijn met elkaar verbonden en even belangrijk. Bij Everton Nursery School and Family Centre erkennen we volledig dat 'kinderen zich in hun eigen tempo ontwikkelen'. (Ontwikkeling is belangrijk, vroeg onderwijs 2012) De leeromgeving Hoewel de kinderkamer er misschien uitziet als een informele speelkamer, is alles met een doel geselecteerd en neergezet. Alles is ontworpen om kinderen te helpen de nodige vaardigheden te leren en te verwerven. Bijvoorbeeld; Bead threading helpt uw kind kleur- en vormherkenning, reeksen, patroonvorming en hand-oogcoördinatie te ontwikkelen, naast het creatieve plezier dat de ervaring geeft. Elk kind krijgt de kans om te experimenteren met een verscheidenheid aan materialen, apparatuur en activiteiten, waaronder verf, collagematerialen, zand, water, grote en kleine bouwdozen, 'kleine wereld'-speelgoed zoals spoorwegen of poppenhuizen, computers en andere ICT-apparatuur , deeg, games, legpuzzels, pennen, potloden, kleurpotloden, papier, een breed scala aan fictie- en non-fictieboeken en rollenspel. Kinderen hebben elke dag toegang tot onze uitgebreide, zorgvuldig geplande buitenomgeving en kunnen op bepaalde momenten van de dag ervoor kiezen om binnen te blijven of naar buiten te gaan zoals ze willen. Buiten hebben ze toegang tot speelgoed op wielen, klimuitrusting, zand en water, stille gebieden, en nemen ze deel aan het planten en onderhouden van de tuinen. Er is een uitgebreid veiligheidsoppervlak en een reeks 'heuvels' en paden om te verkennen. De kinderen gebruiken de binnenhal ook voor lichamelijke ontwikkelingsactiviteiten op grote apparaten, en voor dans-, muziek- en bewegingsactiviteiten. Inbreng van de leraar Elke klas wordt geleid door een ervaren en hooggekwalificeerde Foundation Stage Teacher. Deze leraar leidt een door volwassenen geleide leerervaring aan het begin van zowel de ochtend- als de middagsessies om de passie van kinderen voor leren te betrekken, te interesseren en aan te wakkeren. Elke leerkracht wordt ondersteund door een gekwalificeerde leerkracht voor jonge kinderen van niveau 3. Zowel leerkrachten als gezinswerkers nemen de rol van gezinswerker (sleutelwerkers) op zich voor het kind en hun gezin. Dossiers voor gezinswerkers Bij Everton Nursery School zijn we van mening dat het observeren, reflecteren, beoordelen en documenteren van het leren, de successen en prestaties van kinderen cruciale elementen zijn van het Early Years Foundation Stage-curriculum. Dit proces van documentatie stelt het personeel in staat om de voortgang van individuele kinderen te overwegen om dienovereenkomstig te plannen voor toekomstige leermogelijkheden om te voldoen aan de behoeften en het ontwikkelingsstadium van alle kinderen. Het personeel legt deze observaties, reflecties en beoordelingen vast in de individuele Family Worker Files van kinderen, die beide op elk moment beschikbaar zijn voor ouders/verzorgers.

Sensory Garden In harmonie Blogs In Harmony Liverpool is geïnspireerd door El Sistema uit Venezuela en maakt gebruik van orkestmuziek om de gezondheid, het onderwijs en de ambities van kinderen en jongeren in Everton te verbeteren. In Harmony Liverpool, opgericht in 2009 in Faith Primary School met 84 kinderen, is uitgebreid zodat meer dan 700 kinderen en jongeren van 0-18 jaar en hun families nu elke week gratis deelnemen aan orkestmuziek van de hoogste kwaliteit. binnen en buiten school. Muziek maken vindt plaats op Faith Primary School, The Beacon CE Primary School, Everton Nursery School and Family Centre, All Saints Catholic Primary School, Anfield Children's Centre en bij Liverpool Philharmonic at the Friary, ons oefencentrum in West Everton._cc781905-5cde- 3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_ A Reflective conversation A reflective conversation with SENCO class teacher Emma Louise Scott and HLTA Maria Edge from Everton talking to Diane Boyd. 1. Setting the Context - introduction to the Podcast and participants Emma and Maria 1 Reflective Conversation Setting the Context Artist Name 00:00 / 01:01 2. Initial first thoughts - before the sustainability training 2 Initial first thoughts Artist Name 00:00 / 00:51 3. Can the SGD's - be easily implemented into early childhood pedagogy 3SDG implemented Artist Name 00:00 / 03:14 4. Which SDG - did you feel you were more familiar with or relevant to your practice? 4 Which SDG Artist Name 00:00 / 05:00 5. What was the most significant point you took from the training 5 What was the most Artist Name 00:00 / 06:05 6. The interconnection of the three pillars of Sustainability 6 The interconnection Artist Name 00:00 / 04:56 7. Reflections and conclusion - What have you taken away from the training and our conversation 7 Reflections and conclusion Artist Name 00:00 / 03:13 Home | Climate Action Strategy | Case Studies | Curriculum Resources | Blog and Video Logs

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Liverpool City Region and Beyond Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Hub Home Events Newsletters Blogs Programmes Documents Subscribe Childminders Recruitment Reddish Vale Nursery School Blog Becoming physical development champions and beyond…. This blog explores the importance of evaluating the opportunities available to promote physical development in the early years, with a particular focus on promotion children’s independence, risk taking and following their lead. Our pedagogy Opportunities for outdoor play are vital in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Reddish Vale Nursery places equal value on outdoor and indoor play, and the well-resourced outdoor area is an important part of the continuous provision. As a team we work on the premise that regular activity is vital for strengthening neural networks, where regular, intense exercise results in the growth of neurons to aid memory and learning. Opportunities in the outdoor area are designed to improve concentration, hand eye coordination, confidence and decision making. The evidence RISE at Manchester Metropolitan University outlines the importance of physical development where ‘Physical development lays the foundation for learning, health and wellbeing. The more physically active we are as young children, the more likely we are to maintain an active lifestyle later in life. This sets a positive health trajectory, promoting long-term physical well-being and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Encouraging early physical activity is crucial for establishing healthy habits and also impacts greatly on early literacy and the social, emotional, and cognitive development of children.’ Rise x Future Me at Manchester Met (mmu.ac.uk) Children who are given the opportunity to play outdoors are shown to have better planning, attention and inhibition where regular activity reduces stress, and increases self-regulation. Children learn how to control their bodies, develop physical competence and an enjoyment of outdoors and to practice problem solving. The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) on the Early Years Evidence Store key findings in ‘promoting physical activity’ outlines the following: There is evidence that promoting physical activity improves children’s physical development outcomes including a range of movement skills. Encouraging enjoyment through play and a focus on child-directed choice are effective strategies to further support children’s physical development. Motivating children to be physically active through the use of resources or equipment, both outdoors and indoors, can support children’s physical development. Educators have an important role to play in structuring the environment and activities to support children’s physical development. EEF | Physical Development (educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk) Becoming Physical Development Champions Reddish Vale Nursery School engaged in Physical Development Champion training where we evaluated our current environment and made some changes to promote gross motor skills. We removed the majority of chairs from the tables to enable children to stretch for resources. We made group times more physical. We increased activities which help to develop core strength. We corrected W sitting where this was happening. We also provided more opportunities for tummy time. Although we have always promoted independence in children we looked for times of the day where we could increase opportunities for this. We encourage children to pour their own drinks at snack time and peel their own fruit. At lunch time children collect their own lunches and clear away after themselves. There is an absolute wealth of evidence based information, videos, case studies and examples for best practice available you can read at your own pace, but did you know that researching, investigating and using the Education Endowment Foundation EEF Evidence Store shows that you are reflecting on your setting so make sure you add these to your personal development record. The furniture was also checked to ensure that this was appropriate for the individual and we changed chairs to enable children to anchor themselves properly when seated, with both feet on the floor. Some chairs with arms are used for children that need extra support. Beyond our Physical Development Champion work – what did we do next? Observation and reflection The EEF studies looked at the benefits of introducing different resources to stimulate interest or encourage nature-based play. Different or new resources could be smaller tools such as hand tools and jigsaws or more dynamic toys such as balls or climbing frames. In nature-based studies, children were encouraged to participate in more risky play through climbing natural structures. Likewise, freedom to play with natural elements such as grass, rocks, and branches was supported. These activities all led to improvements in children’s physical development outcomes. A common theme across the evidence was ensuring that children were provided with choice and a high degree of independence. EEF | Physical Development (educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk) Introducing a gravel pit Gravel pits can bring the following benefits: 1. Sensory Development Gravel offers a unique tactile experience different from sand, water, or soil. This helps children explore texture, weight, and sound, enriching their sensory input. 2. Fine Motor Skills Scooping, pouring, picking up, and sifting small stones promotes hand-eye coordination and dexterity. Using tools like shovels, buckets, or sieves builds grip strength and control. 3. Creativity and Imaginative Play Gravel can be used in pretend construction, road-building, or even as "ingredients" in play kitchens. It encourages open-ended play, allowing children to invent their own games and stories. 4. STEM Learning Children naturally engage in early science and math concepts through sorting by size, counting stones, or experimenting with gravity and volume. Opportunities for cause and effect learning, like observing how gravel moves or shifts. At Reddish Vale Nursery School, the children made their own gravel pit using tarpaulin, sleepers and a huge order of pea sized gravel. Climbing opportunities in the 2s Through observing our 2 year olds we noticed their need for a constructive physical outlet, helping them to burn energy and regulate emotions and behaviour afterward. We therefore introduced a climbing wall where 1.Gross Motor Development Climbing strengthens large muscle groups in the arms, legs, and core. This helps develop balance, coordination, and body awareness. 2. Fine Motor and Grip Strength Grasping climbing holds improves hand strength, finger dexterity, and fine motor control—important for future skills like writing and self-care. 3. Confidence and Independence Climbing challenges young children in a way that lets them experience success, promoting self-esteem and a sense of achievement. It encourages independent decision-making and exploration. Conclusion When did you last evaluate your environment through the physical development lens? Do your routines and environments all offer opportunities for independence? Are your children encouraged to take risks? Are there opportunities for tummy time, even for older children? Look specifically at what the children are already doing and how this could be developed. Do you already have resources that could be introduced in a different way? Are you making the best use of the space you’ve got? References https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/early-years/evidence-store/physical-development https://www.reddishvalenursery.stockport.sch.uk/our-curriculum/physical-development-champions https://rise.mmu.ac.uk/topic/the-importance-of-physical-development/ https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/670fa42a30536cb92748328f/EYFS_statutory_framework_for_group_and_school_-_based_providers.pdf Physical Development Physical activity is vital in children’s all-round development, enabling them to pursue happy, healthy and active lives9. Gross and fine motor experiences develop incrementally throughout early childhood, starting with sensory explorations and the development of a child’s strength, co-ordination and positional awareness through tummy time, crawling and play movement with both objects and adults. By creating games and providing opportunities for play both indoors and outdoors, adults can support children to develop their core strength, stability, balance, spatial awareness, co-ordination and agility. Gross motor skills provide the foundation for developing healthy bodies and social and emotional well-being. Fine motor control and precision helps with hand-eye co-ordination, which is later linked to early literacy. Repeated and varied opportunities to explore and play with small world activities, puzzles, arts and crafts and the practice of using small tools, with feedback and support from adults, allow children to develop proficiency, control and confidence. P10. https://child-development-training.education.gov.uk/about/module-5 Strategic Partners Stronger Practice Hub Privacy Notice

Liverpool City Region and beyond Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Hub Home Events Blogs Childminders Programmes Documents Subscibe Early Years Professional Development Programme Newletters Recruitment Please fill out the following information in order to access this webinar on-demand. Email Name Local Authority your setting is based in: School / Setting name Setting Postcode What best describes your role in the Setting Choose an option What best describes your Setting Choose an option Setting Region Choose an option Number of practitioners/teachers watching on this device, including yourself * Session: Session URL: By ticking this box, you understand that all materials are the copyright of Liverpool City Region and Beyond Stronger Practice Hub at Everton Nursery School and Children's Centre and/or the webinar presenter(s). You will be subscribed to the Liverpool City Region and Beyond Stronger Practice Hub Mailing List and will receive occasional emails from us; you can manage your preferences and unsubscribe anytime. I agree Watch Strategic Partners Stronger Practice Hub Privacy Notice

The benefits of outdoor play Liverpool City Region and Beyond Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Hub Home Events Newsletters Blogs Programmes Documents Subscribe Childminders Recruitment The benefits of outdoor play How childminders use outdoor spaces to enhance children’s learning outcomes. By Tracie Dowling ‘My greatest childhood memories are of playing outdoors. Running around, climbing trees, playing in my treehouse, making mud pies, using my mum’s roses to make perfume (not always fragrant!) and inventing new games that kept me, and my brother occupied for hours – these are all things that contribute to a happy, healthy upbringing’ Introduction My name is Tracie Dowling, and I have been an OFSTED Registered Childminder for over 33 years and a Strategic Partner of Liverpool City Region and Beyond Early Years Stronger Practice Hub. One of my roles has been to support the Deysbrook Childminder Network at the Village Community Centre in West Derby, Liverpool. https://www.evertonnurseryschoolandfamilycentre.org/childminders Not all childminders are lucky enough to have a large outdoor space attached to their setting; however, this does not prevent them from ensuring the children access quality outdoor learning opportunities. The childminders at Deysbrook meet up once a week at the drop-in session and have access to a community garden where they can grow produce, exercise and access activities. They also regularly organise to meet up at the local allotment, parks, farm, forest, zoo and beaches. ‘The Early Years Foundation Stage states that ‘children benefit from spending as much time outside as possible. This makes a significant contribution to the progress they make particularly in their personal, emotional, social and physical development’ Benefits of outdoor learning opportunities Having the opportunity to learn outdoors can be a holistic and essential approach to education, offering a multitude of benefits beyond the traditional educational setting. Here are some of the ways the childminders take advantages of outdoor learning opportunities: Enhanced Physical Development: The childminders regularly take the children to the local forest to experience the natural outdoor spaces which are uneven and inconsistent (logs, trees, pathways) and therefore improve children's balance, coordination, agility and encourage movement in ways that improve their muscles, bones and physical endurance. Cognitive Development: The openair environment of the local park provides opportunities for exploration (plants, wildlife, habitats) problem-solving (how to cross a big puddle?), critical thinking (how to make a den using found objects), decision-making and building essential skills like spatial awareness and adaptability. The children engage in activities such as den building, learning to look after the environment, and exploring nature. Communication and Language Skills: Collaboration between the childminders and peers significantly boosts communication and language development. This provides a natural, engaging environment to practice language, explore new vocabulary and develop social skills. By providing the children with Imaginative play opportunities, exploring the natural world, and interaction with peers all contribute to language acquisition and communication skills which is evident by the children expressing thoughts, asking questions and listening to their childminder and peers. While in the outdoor area the children listen to natural sounds and explore other sensory experiences (e.g., the rustling of leaves, the feel of mud and sand) this broadens and enhanced language development by using words such as squidgy, squelchy, scrunching. Personal, Social, and Emotional Development: When the childminders take the children on visits for instance to the beach this provides abundant opportunities for personal growth and social development. The children learn to manage risks, (being close to water/climbing on slippery rocks/identifying and studying the jellyfish) develop self-confidence, and form positive relationships in the safety of their childminder and experiences with peers. Knowledge and Understanding of the World: Outdoor learning offers a direct relationship with nature, enabling children to explore and understand the natural world, encouraging an enduring interest in science, ecology, and caring for their environment. My personal childminding ethos and curriculum is ‘sustainability in the garden classroom’. I am privileged to have a wonderful outdoor space where I teach the children to care for their environment. We have a wormery to use up food waste and provide our plants with nutrients, water butts to recycle water and feed our fruit and vegetables, habitats for the wildlife such as frogs, bees, bugs etc. We grow plants (not always successfully) using different methods such as hydroponically, using recycled materials and no dig raised beds. We welcome childminders and our community family to share our environment, where we exchange ideas’ share surplus produce and have a swap scheme for instance toys/plants/story sacks to promote positive relationships and encourage cost effective way of living. Literacy and Mathematics: Outside spaces can serve as an environment for literacy and numeracy activities. Children can count objects, (bugs, shells, sticks) write using natural materials (sand, soil, chalk, sticks) or engage in storytelling and creative writing inspired by the environment for instance using the ’anywhere farm’ story sack at the urban farm. Expressive Arts and Design: Openair environments encourage creativity and artistic expression. Children can be involved in activities such as drawing, painting, or sculpture using natural materials, (logs, sticks, shells, pinecones) furthering their artistic development. The children are very interested in using flowers and leaves to make natural prints pressing the flowers (from my garden) between two pieces of material to bring out the natural colourings. Conclusion By childminders being creative and giving children opportunities to access various outdoor environments reinforced with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) 7 areas of learning is a pathway in a child’s holistic development. The EYFS framework recognises the importance of outdoor learning, and the benefits of this approach are undeniable. By providing children with outdoor environments for physical activity, cognitive growth, social interaction, and a deep connection to nature, we nurture well-rounded children and enable them to be better prepared for the challenges of life and holistic learning. This is the collective responsibility of parents and educators to ensure that all children have access to these inspiring outdoor activities and environments that will profoundly shape their future in positive and meaningful ways. External References and Resources https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/early-years/evidence-store Reference to Physical Development, Communication and Language, Literacy and Mathematics https://www.evertonnurseryschoolandfamilycentre.org/strongerpracticehub https://www.gov.uk/early-years-foundation-stage https://www.evertonnurseryschoolandfamilycentre.org/early-years-sustainable-hub https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/research/forest-schools-impact-on-young-children-in-england-and-wales/#research-objectives The Garden Classroom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHk8MmfrBTc https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/family-friendly/family-friendly-gardens Strategic Partners Stronger Practice Hub Privacy Notice

EYSH Blogs Lost words In harmonie Blogs ‘Lost words’ reflected through the three pillars of sustainability and the SDGs. By Diane Boyd As early years practitioners we recognise the importance of our role in supporting children’s oral skills through holistic development. Influential research by Hart and Risley (1992,1995) stated that early year’s children living in poorer disadvantaged situations experienced significantly less adult directed words than their higher socio-economic peers. The research implied there was a ‘30-million-word deficit’ for the lower socio-economic children by the time they were four. That is a lot of missing words! These crucial findings draw attention to the importance of what quality practitioners can do to support and narrow the gap for children through quality interactions and using their quality environments (SDG 4 Quality Education). So, how can we close the gap and support children’s communication skills? The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS DfE, 2024, p9) clearly states the importance of “back-and-forth interactions” as a necessary requirement for language and cognitive development in young children. Sameroff and Fiese (2000) suggest back-and-forth interactions are more important than the quantity of the vocabulary children are exposed to, because the bi-directional conversations shared together are closely entwined with Personal, Social and Emotional Development, a universal prime area (EYFS, DfE,2024). As practitioners we need to focus on ensuring all children have opportunities to encounter through modelling and scaffolding, complex language input with a high level of longer, richer sentences (Rowe, 2008). This aligns with the Education Endowment Foundation – Communication and Language toolkit, which reminds practitioners to support and model effective linguistic aspects of communication. However, reflecting on pedagogical interactions Margaret Donaldson (1978) says this must make ‘human sense’ to the children, suggesting the need to draw on the socio-cultural aspects of community too (SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and communities). Within the Specific Area Understanding the World (EYFS, DfE,2024, p11) practitioners are asked to guide “children to make sense of their physical world and their community.” Taking children out beyond the gates of your setting allows them to experience holistically their neighbourhood, and what makes sense to them. Every neighbourhood is different (think of smells in a city compared to a beach town!) but as the EYFS (DfE, 2024, p 11) states “the frequency and range of children’s personal experiences increases their knowledge and sense of the world around them”. One such example is walking with your children through the town daily or weekly, past the local shops and engaging in back-and-forth conversations, adding new vocabulary as they walk. Exchanging hellos and making conversation with shop keepers will help children to become familiar with new vocabulary that is seemingly being lost due to the overuse of supermarkets. In large supermarkets everything is there and available in one stop – just come in and buy! There are limited interactions, relationships and vocabulary shared. Sadly now, how many children know for instance, what a cobbler is and what their work comprises of, linking here to SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth. By visiting in a natural organic way through a neighbourhood walk, children will become familiar with the shop keepers such as an optician, haberdasher, greengrocer, butcher, chemist, and baker (remember use this core language) that reside on their high street. When do children ever hear these occupational words now? So, it is imperative early years practitioners highlight these words before they become ‘lost’. Reinforce the words further through reading non-fiction books and revisit language associated with each profession, for example, Dylan the Shopkeeper by Guy Parker Rees. Set up your role play as different shops visited to consolidate language further. The new vocabulary can be extended to understand the produce they can purchase from the different shops, resonating with SDG 8, SDG 9, and SDG 11. The EYFS (DfE,2024) asks practitioners to build ‘positive relationships’, and this is a way of doing this through your locality. For example, in the greengrocer discuss the type of apple with the children and then taste test them. Granny Smith or Royal Gala which are sweet or bitter? Think of the lovely describing words or faces here! Other extension activities could include memory games- I went to the baker and I bought bread, a cake, some pastries; or I went to the butcher, and I bought some pork sausages, a bacon chop, some beef burgers; this consolidates the produce from each shop and the repetition aids the children’s cognition. After visiting the high street, the children could make their own big story book from each shop rather than buying books to support. This would be very effective as this supports children’s understanding of text - words and images together have meaning, that there is a beginning, middle and end in books which will make ‘human sense’ to them as this connects them to their community high street shops, and the satisfaction of knowing they wrote the book. Due to plastic credit cards being used in supermarkets there are other words that are now less frequently used in the terms of monetary currency. How often do children hear in purchasing back and forth conversations, or the words pennies and pounds being used? By highlighting during your neighbourhood walks not just the local shop keepers, their profession and produce sold, take the children into the shop, and model the use of real money. As the EEF Communication and Language states “settings should use a range of different approaches to developing communication and language skills.” It is important that children hear your “back-and-forth interactions” (EYFS, DfE,2024p, 9) with the shop keepers, as they are valuable conversations of both produce and currency together. The EEF (Early numeracy approaches) research shows that by utilising holistic pedagogy it has “a higher impact than when maths was delivered as a supplementary activity.” Through these conversations children will hear pennies, pounds, change and cost which they can replicate in role play back at your setting because this makes “human sense” (Donalson,1978) to them. Moving out into the locality and community children will have countless opportunities to use their 5 senses – hearing, smelling, tasting, seeing, and touching. By visiting local parks, gardens, or beaches regularly children will develop empathy and care for their environment. The emphasis is that you always use correct terminology with the children. For example, not the generic term ‘flower’ but daffodil or snow drop, and you encourage the children to observe the fauna but not pick them. There is a fabulous book called Lost Words by Robert MacFarlane and Jackie Morris (2021) which focuses again on disappearing words but this time in the natural world. The book states “all over the country, there are words disappearing from children's lives. These are the words of the natural world; Dandelion, Otter, Bramble, and Acorn, all gone. A wild landscape of imagination and play is rapidly fading from our children's minds. The Lost Words stands against the disappearance of wild childhood”. This book could be used as a follow up to walks or scientific observations in woodland. Crucially for the planet we need to ensure young children hear, use, and understand key words from nature. As the EEF- Early Literacy approaches state you must ensure that “your early literacy strategy is well-balanced and combines approaches that will support the development of skills, knowledge and understanding”. From a sustainable perspective we need to invest in our locality whether this is the high street or park or woodlands or coastline. If children develop a relationship with their community and locality then they will love the area, respect the area and care for the area. EEF- Early years evidence highlights “approaches for teaching early literacy should, therefore, be used in ways that build on approaches that support communication and language, which are fundamental to children’s literacy.” This resonates with the Specific Area Knowledge and Understanding which asks practitioners to “foster their understanding of our culturally, socially, technologically, and ecologically diverse world” EYFS (DfE,2024, p11). Extending and developing these ‘lost words’ of the high street and environment builds “important knowledge,” and “extends their familiarity with words that support understanding across domains” (EYFS, DfE, 2024, p11). Economic sustainability through regular opportunities to use and understand words associated with currency, socio-cultural sustainability through engaging and connecting with your local community high street shops and environmental sustainability with care and empathy because of a relationship with the natural world. This clearly demonstrates the interconnected and holistic approaches to both early childhood and sustainability. Home | Climate Action Strategy | Case Studies | Curriculum Resources | Blog and Video Logs