This page provides a combined list of the resources linked from each section within Birth to 5 Matters.
Promoting voice and inclusion
The UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals – these cite the importance of children’s voices: “…we need to inspire hope across all sections of society, especially among young people, letting them know that their voices will be heard, their experiences will be acknowledged and their ideas will be anchored in the policymaking process.” (p. xvii)
What children’s perspectives tell us about inclusion – a free OpenLearn course from the Open University
Cole-Albäck, A. (2021) A brief history of children’s rights Birth to 5 Matters document
Summary – United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
The Index for Inclusion: developing learning and participation in schools, Tony Booth and Mel Ainscow, Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education (CSIE), 2002.
Voice
Palikara, O., Castro, S., Gaona, C., & Eirinaki, V. (2018, April). Capturing the voices of children in the Education Health and Care plans: are we there yet? In Frontiers in Education (Vol. 3, p. 24). Frontiers.
Parsons, S., Ivil, K., Kovshoff, H. & Karakosta, E. (2020) ‘Seeing is believing’: exploring the perspectives of young autistic children through Digital Stories. Journal of Early Childhood Research.
Save the Children – children’s voices (blogs from children)
Unicef – Every Child’s Right to be Heard: a resource guide on the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child General Comment no.12, Gerison Lansdown
National Voices – My life, my support, my choice: a narrative for person-centred co-ordinated care and support for children and young people with complex lives. National Voices and Think Local Act Personal
Play
DCSF (2009) Learning, Playing and Interacting, National Strategies guidance document
Whitebread, D., Basilio, M., Kuvalja, M. and Verma, M. (The Importance of Play, report on the value of play and policy recommendations
Stages in pretend play, course handout from York Preschool Speech and Language Program
Yogman,, M. Garner, A., Hutchinson, J., Hirsh-Pasek, K. and Michnick Golinkoff, R. (2018) The Power of Play: A Pediatric Role in Enhancing Development in Young Children, Pediatrics, 2018 Sep:142
Digital Futures Commission (2020) Panorama of Play literature review,
Gauntlett, D., Ackermann, E., Whitebread, D., Wolbers, T. and Weckstrom, C. (nd) The future of play: Defining the role and value of play in the 21st century, Lego Learning Institute
The role of play in any early years setting, Harvard Center on the Developing Child, video
Schemas, pdf handout
Killen, R. (nd) Building the Foundation for Lifelong Learning: An Exploration into the Development of Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities through Play, project dissertation, St Mary’s University College Belfast
Goldstein, J. (2012) Play in Children’s Development, Health and Well-being, Toy Industries of Europe report
DCSF (2007) Caring for under 3’s … Play, EYFS guidance
DCSF (2007) Messy Play, EYFS guidance
DCSF (2007) Playing and Exploring, EYFS guidance
Care
Resources for Infant Educators (RIE) – website of the RIE Alliance – a network of infant-toddler professionals based in the US
Article: Infant caregiving: How to be responsive, in Texas Child Care Quarterly, Spring 2016 (no author named)
Pikler resources:
- Association Pikler-Lóczy Hungary
- Pikler UK Association
- The Pikler Collection – a website collecting together links, videos and articles on Dr Emmi Pikler and the Pikler Approach.
Quality improvement and leadership
DfES (2005) Key Elements of Effective Practice (Primary National Strategies),
Babies’ Effective Early Learning (BEEL) – resources on the website of the Centre for Research in Early Childhood
Leuven scale of children’s well-being and involvement – article by Ferre Laevers, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven / Centre for Experiential Education (PDF) (undated)
DCSF (2008) Early Years Quality Improvement Support Programme
Ofsted (2008) Early Years Leading to Excellence
Ofsted (2013) Getting it right first time
DCSF (2010) Challenging Practice to Further Improve Learning, Playing and Interacting National Strategies guidance document
Transitions
High Quality Transitions – extended article based on the Birth to 5 Matters section on transitions
Transitions case studies – additional material for the Birth to 5 Matters guidance
DCSF (2007) All about…transitions, EYFS guidance
Child Development
Child development overview – document adapted for Birth to 5 Matters from Principles into
Practice, EYFS 2007
The effects of poverty, Child Poverty Action Group, webpage (nd)
Early child development | Inequality: the IFS Deaton Review, webpage (nd)
Funds of knowledge:
- Hedges, H; Cullen, J & Jordan, B. (2010). Early years curriculum: funds of knowledge as a conceptual framework for children’s interests. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 43:2, 185-205 (summary of article)
- Funds of Knowledge video, HeadStart Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Centre, video
- Exploring Cultural Concepts: Funds of Knowledge HeadStart Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Centre, pdf handout
Identity and belonging, Aistear Early Childhood Curriculum Framework (nd)
Gauntlett, D., Ackermann, E., Whitebread, D., Wolbers, T. and Weckstrom, C. (nd) The future of play: Defining the role and value of play in the 21st century, Lego Learning Institute
Harvard Centre on the Developing Child (CDC) – many guides, videos, research reports, e.g.:
- A Guide to Serve and Return: How Your Interaction with Children Can Build Brains
- ‘Serve and return’ interaction, video from Harvard Centre on the Developing Child
- Child development core story
- 8 things to remember about child development
- The foundations of lifelong health are built in early childhood
- Connecting the Brain to the Rest of the Body: Early Childhood Development and Lifelong Health Are Deeply Intertwined
- Three Principles to Improve Outcomes for Children and Families
Self-regulation
Flores, I.R. (2011) Developing Young Children’s Self-regulation through Everyday Experiences Young Children, July 2011.
Scaffolding self-regulated learning – Early Learning Consultancy, PDF
In Brief: Executive Function, Skills for Life and Learning – video from the Harvard Center on the Developing Child
How adults and children can build core capabilities for life – video from the Harvard Center on the Developing Child
The MEHRIT Self-regulation resource library for parents and practitioners including:
- Stressors across five domains of self-regulation
- Class Environment Reflection Tool
- Self-regulation for Goodstart Early Learning
Checklist of Independent Learning Development (CHILD 3-5) – Cambridge University Faculty of Education
De la Riva, S (2015) Effect of Self-Regulating Behaviour on Young Children’s Academic Success, International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education 7(1):69-96
Education Endowment Foundation (2021) Self-regulation Strategies, EEF Early Years Toolkit
Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University (2014) Enhancing and Practicing Executive Function Skills with Children from Infancy to Adolescence
Characteristics of Effective Learning
Rationale for Characteristics of Effective Learning, extract from the Tickell Report (The Early Years: Foundations for life, health and learning, An Independent Report on the Early Years Foundation Stage to Her Majesty’s Government by Dame Clare Tickell, pp. 85-91) 2011, D16(8857)/0311
Case studies – Characteristics of Effective Learning — what is a child doing, what is the adult role? Birth to 5 Matters document (PDF)
Whitebread, D. (2019) Developing Essential Skills: Supporting self-regulation in 3-4 year olds Early Years Teachers Handbook, Sutton Trust.
Bristol City Council (2020) Bristol Characteristics of Effective Learning document
Laevers, F. (Ed) (2005) Leuven scales – Well-being and Involvement in Care Settings. A Process-oriented Self-evaluation Instrument, Kind & Gezin and Research Centre for Experiential Education, Leuven University
Prof Ferre Laevers keynote, 2016, Early Years Scotland (video)
Claxton, G. (2003) Learning is learnable – and we ought to teach it, In the National Commission for Education report Ten Years On, edited by Sir John Cassell, 2004
Ackerley, R. (2013) The “Soft,” “Non-Cognitive” Skills are Hard, Cognitive and Critical, blog: The Genius in Children.
Belonging, Being & Becoming – The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (nd) Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners (PDF)
National Scientific Council on the Developing Child (2018) Understanding Motivation: Building the Brain Architecture That Supports Learning, Health, and Community Participation Working Paper No. 14. Harvard Center on the Developing Child.
Hoskins, B. & Deakin Crick, R. (2008) Learning to Learn and Civic Competences, JRC Scientific & Technical Reports, European Commission Joint Research Centre: Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen and Centre for Research on Lifelong Learning (CRELL)
Center for Self-Determination Theory webpages on Basic Psychological Needs and Intrinsic Motivation
Moorhouse, P. (nd) Curiosity.
Ackerman, C.E. (2021) Growth Mindset vs. Fixed + Key Takeaways From Dweck’s Book, Positive Pyschology blog.
Early Learning Consultancy (nd) Supporting children’s intrinsic motivation and growth mindset
Art Costa (2014) What are habits of mind? (video) on James Anderson’s Habits of Mind website,
Lansbury, J. (2014) Don’t help this child, video and blog
Ruckdschel, S. (2013) Building student grit: Is Hard Work and Effort More Important than IQ? Susan Ruckdschel’s Blog for Lteracy Solutions.
Moylett, H. (2021) Persistence is important – some messages from research, Two short (slightly updated) extracts from Moylett (2013) Active Learning, London: MA Education Ltd.
Sharp, C. (2004) Developing young children’s creativity: what can we learn from research?, NFER
Grainger, T., Craft, A. and Burnard, P. (2007) Examining possibility thinking in action in early years settings
Markham, L. (nd) 12 tips to raise a competent child, Aha Parenting website.
Mindsets – self-theories, page on the Learning-Knowledge website
DCSF (2010) Finding and Exploring Young Children’s Fascinations, The National Strategies Early Years document
Whitebread, D. (2009) Play and Self-regulation in Young Children, Presentation to the EARLI Conference, Amsterdam
Play Scotland (2011) Getting it Right for Play – The power of play: an evidence base
DCSF (2009) Learning, Playing and Interacting: good practice in the Early Years Foundation Stage, The National Strategies Early Years document
Experiments and Encounters: examples of Characteristics of Effective Learning in action from Sightlines Initiative:
Dewar, G. (2011-2019) Teaching self-control: Evidence-based tips, Parenting Science website
Early Learning Consultancy (nd) Scaffolding self-regulated learning, handout
Executive function: Resources from Harvard Centre on the Developing Child:
- Enhancing and Practicing Executive Function Skills with Children from Infancy to Adolescence
- Executive Function infographic
- How early experiences shape executive function
- How adults and children can build core capabilities for life (Video)
- In brief: Executive function – Skills for life and learning
- 8 things to remember about child development
McClelland, M.M., Cameron, C.E., Duncan, R., Bowles, R.P., . Acock, A.C., Miao, A. and Pratt, M.E. (2014) Predictors of early growth in academic achievement: the head-toes-knees-shoulders task Front Psychol. 2014; 5: 599
Hernández M.M., Eisenberg N., Valiente C., Spinrad T.L., Johns S.K., Berger R.H., Silva K.M., Diaz A., Gal-Szabo D.E., Thompson M.S., Southworth J. (2018) Self-Regulation and Academic Measures Across the Early Elementary School Grades: Examining Longitudinal and Bidirectional Associations Early Educ Dev 2018;29(7):914-938
Neuenschwander, R., Röthlisberger, M., Cimeli, P., Roebers, C.M. (2012) How do different aspects of self-regulation predict successful adaptation to school? J Exp Child Psychol 2012 Nov;113(3):353-71
McClelland, M.M., Acock, A.C., Piccinin, A., Rhea, S.A., Stallings, M.C. (2013) Preschool attention span-persistence and age 25 educational outcomes Early Child Res Q. 2013 Apr 1;28(2):314-324.
Inclusive practice and equalities
Resources to support practitioners working with children with special educational needs
General
The Council for Disabled Children has a huge range of resources to support parents and practitioners, as well as signposts to other organisations.
The Early Support website offers a range of resources for practitioners working in the early years.
The Early Support Developmental Journal can help to plan goals appropriate to needs.
Early Support: Developmental Journal for Children with Multiple Needs offers specific support for children who have Profound and Multiple Learning Needs.
The SEND Gateway is an online portal developed by Nasen, offering education professionals free, easy access to high quality information, resources and training for meeting the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The Autism Education Trust has a range of free-to-download resources as part of their modular training programme for professionals in all early years settings. This includes an Autism progression framework linked to the EYFS as well as a set of standards to enable setting to evaluate their own provision.
Autism Transitions: This website is a collaboration between The University of Southampton and Aviary Nursery, Eastleigh, funded by the Froebel Trust.
Inclusion Development Programme: Supporting children on the autism spectrum: Guidance for practitioners in the Early Years Foundation Stage
The Makaton website offers free resources in the Makaton Library. You need to create a free account to access the Library. Topics covered by the free downloads include:
- Vocabulary
- Songs and stories
- Activities and games
- Reports and guides
- the opportunity to sign up for sign of the week.
The National Deaf Children’s Society provides a range of resources for all education professionals working in the early years on deaf friendly teaching and supporting deaf children in the early years. This includes guidance on recognising the signs of hearing loss and helping families of deaf children and those that support them to observe, monitor and record the progress their child makes. Practitioners can also find advice on simple steps that can be taken to improve the listening environment in nurseries, schools, and other education settings.
The Downs Syndrome Association provides information about children with Downs syndrome for practitioners in early years settings as well as signposting to help with Education Health and Care Plans and Legal issues.
I CAN is the children’s communication charity. Their website offers free downloads that provide information and advice to support any speech, language and communication needs. This includes guidance written by speech and language therapists about what to look for at different stages of language development.
Local resources
Look out for resources on your Local Offer website; here you should be able to find information to support for parents but also services and resources for practitioners in general and SENCOs. Many websites enable you to navigate to a lot of local resources in one place, such as:
Surrey Local Offer A combination of information for parents about processes (such as Education Health and Care Plans) and where to access help at different stages of these processes.
Children’s Health Surrey, another local website that brings together helpful advice sheets, therapy resources and information linked to Speech and language therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy.
Bristol City Council: Differentiated Early Years Outcomes is a resource developed to allow practitioners to show progress within EYFS for children who have additional needs and disabilities.
Resources on gender
- LGBTQIA+ magazine
- Getting Started: Celebrating difference and challenging gender stereotypes in the Early Years Foundation Stage, Stonewall
- Unlimited potential: final report of the Commission on Gender Stereotypes in Early Childhood
- Just like a child: respect gender equality in the early years, Zero Tolerance
- Eight ways to challenge stereotypes in early years settings, Let Toys Be Toys
- Lesson plans, No Outsiders
- Toolbox for gender-conscious and equitable early childhood centres, Gender Loops
- Gender equal play in early learning and childcare, Care Inspectorate and Zero Tolerance
- The MITEY UK and Other Methods: How to Get More Men to Join the EYFS, Interview with Shaddai Tembo
- DCSF (2007) Confident, capable and creative: supporting boys’ achievements, National Strategy document
Resources on race
- Racism resources for caregivers, Mattel/Play Room
- Winkler, E.N. (2009) Children are Not Colorblind, PACE Vol. 3-No. 3 |
- The Anti-racist Glossary (website)
- Tembo, S. (2018) Talking about race in the early years, Critical Early Years website
- DCSF (2009) Building futures: Believing in children, A focus on provision for Black children in the Early Years Foundation Stage, National Strategies Early Years document
- DCSF (2009) Building Futures: Developing trust. A focus on provision for children from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller backgrounds in the Early Years Foundation Stage, National Strategies Early Years document
Blogs
- Bradbury-Coffey, A. and Coffey, G. (2021) LQBTQIA representation in the early years, Famly blog
- Pemberton, L. and Bradbury-Coffey, A. (2020) Early years inclusion revolution, Famly blog
- Bradbury-Coffey, A. (2020) Creating a partnership with parents and carers who identify as LGBT in the early years, Early Years Reviews
- Grimmer, T. (nd) Understanding terminology, LGBTQIA+ Early Years blog
- Coffey, G. (2020) Tips for creating inclusive environments for children with SEND, Kinderly blog
Parents as partners
Case study: Parent partnership at Harrington Nursery School
Greshoff, S. (nd) Partnership with parents in Steiner-Waldorf settings
Lucas, B. (2010) The Impact of Parental Engagement on Learner Success, GEMS Education/Centre for Real-World Learning
DCSF (2007) Parents as Partners – Effective Practice EYFS document
Attachment and the role of the key person
Attachment theory, Birth to 5 Matters document
Jools Page’s work on the concept of Professional Love and attachment-based relationships
Quality framework for children under three years of age – International Step by Step Association
Young Children Develop in an Environment of Relationships, Report from National Centre on the Developing Child
Case study from Guildford Nursery School: The key person approach at Guildford Nursery School and My day at nursery school
Supporting development and learning
DCSF (2009) Learning, Playing and Interacting, National Strategies document
DCSF (2007) Supporting Learning, EYFS document
DCSF (2010) Finding and Exploring Young Children’s Fascinations: strengthening the quality of gifted and talented provision in the early years, National Strategies Early Years document
Drummond, M.J. (nd) Wondering and Imagining – a commentary, in R. Duckett, and MJ Drummond, Adventuring in Early Childhood Education, Sightlines
The Life of an Idea [awaiting updated link], Refocus Journal article
Learning environments
Case studies: Learning environments in varied contexts, Birth to 5 Matters document
White, J. (nd) A Good Place to be Two, Community Playthings booklet
Lindon, J. (nd) Cultural diversity in the early years , Community Playthings article
Huleatt, H. (nd) Treasure baskets, Community Playthings website
White, J. (ed) (2017) Loose parts and flexible thinking Early Education Journal no 82, Summer 2017.
Outdoor play
Ouvry, M. (2011) Going out to play and learn, Learning Together series, Early Education
Scottish Government (2020) Out to Play – creating outdoor play experiences for children: practical guidance
Engaging children in physical active play
Natural Play, Natural Growth in the Early Years, Jan White’s website
UK Chief Medical Officers’ Physical Activity Guidelines (2019)
Communication Friendly Spaces – Elizabeth Jarman’s website
Creative woodwork – Irresistible learning – Pete Moorhouse’s website and Woodwork in the early years, Community Playthings booklet
Displays – How to make your displays work for the children, Famly Blog
Froebel Trust training and resources pamphlets including Froebel Principles and Practice Today
Sightlines materials
- Doing the Right Thing: Working with children in natural outdoor spaces
- The Extraordinary Ordinary Space
- Elemental Experiences
The wider context
DCSF (2007) Effective practice: the wider context, EYFS document
Rethinking Childhood, Tim Gill website
UNESCO, Education for Sustainable Development UN Sustainable Development Goals including Sustainable Development Goals – Resources for educators
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
Hackett, A. and Practer, L. (2016) APSE toolkit: An analytical framework for evaluating museum spaces for children and families,
Government of Western Australia Department of Local Government and Communities and Western Australian Council of Social Services (2016) Early Years Network Resource Kit: for starting and sustaining an Early Years Network
Observation, assessment and planning
Explaining the OAP cycle, Birth to 5 Matters document
Chesworth, L. (nd) Observing, recognising and responding to children’s funds of knowledge and interests
Chesworth, L. and Wood, E. (nd) Using the observe-plan-cycle to co-construct the curriculum with children
Professional reflective practice, Birth to 5 Matters document
Case study: Involving other professionals, Birth to 5 Matters document
Case study: Using OAP as quality improvement, Birth to 5 Matters document
Examples of OAP process:
- learning story 1 adapted from LPI Resource, National Strategies
- learning story 2, Early Learning Consultancy
Case studies on the Characteristics of Effective Learning (includes OAP), Birth to 5 Matters document
Pen Green Centre, Charnwood Nursery School and Rowland Hill Nursery School (2018) A Celebratory Approach to SEND Assessment in the Early Years,
Chilvers, D. (Ed) (2018) Observing Children’s Development Part 1, Early Education Journal no 84, Spring 2018.
Allingham, S. (Ed) (2018) Observing Children’s Development Part 2, Early Education Journal no 85, Summer 2018.
Aguirre Jones, D. and Elders, L. (nd) Reflecting on the reflective cycle, in ReFocus Journal 9, Sightlines Initiative..
Sully, A. (nd) The role and responsibility of documentation, in Refocus Journal 3, Sightlines Initiative.
Ofsted (2015) Teaching and Play in the Early Years – A balancing act?
NCB (2012) A Know-how Guide: the EYFS progress check at age 2
DfES (2007) Creating the Picture, Primary National Strategy document
DCSF (2009) Progress Matters, National Strategies Early Years document
Education Scotland and Scottish government (2020) Realising the Ambition, national practice guidance for early years in Scotland
Ministry of Education, New Zealand (2017) Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa Early childhood curriculum
Overview of Characteristics of Effective Learning and Areas of Learning and Development
Rationale for Characteristics of Effective Learning Excerpt from Tickell Report (The Early Years: Foundations for life, health and learning, An Independent Report on the Early Years Foundation Stage to Her Majesty’s Government by Dame Clare Tickell, pp. 85-91) 2011, D16(8857)/0311
Rationale for Prime and Specific Areas of Learning and Development, Excerpt from Tickell Report (The Early Years: Foundations for life, health and learning, An Independent Report on the Early Years Foundation Stage to Her Majesty’s Government by Dame Clare Tickell, pp. 92-98) 2011, D16(8857)/0311
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
US-based organisations:
Communication and Language
“Serve and return” interaction, video from Harvard Center on the Developing Child
Case studies of practice, Nursery World
Series of identifiable stages
- Universally speaking – ages and stages of children’s communication development, ICAN website
- Progress checker from ICAN
- Stages of language development, The ESRC International Centre for Language and Communicative Development (LUCID) (Powerpoint)
- Early Communication and Language, from the Every Child a Talker programme, National Strategies document
The importance of the early years, The ESRC International Centre for Language and Communicative Development (LUCID) (video)
Supporting Speech and Language fact sheet, The Communications Trust
Speech sounds, ICAN fact sheet
Stewart, N. (2015) Listen to my idea! Communication and language in the early years in D. Whitebread and P. Coleman (2015), Teaching and Learning in the Early Years, 4th edition
Parents’ resources, The Communication Trust
Playful interactions, videos and activities – BBC Tiny Happy People
- How eye contact is key to your baby’s language learning – BBC Tiny Happy People
- How baby babble helps them to start speaking – BBC Tiny Happy People
- Brilliant Brains – how laughter and surprise help your baby learn – BBC Tiny Happy People
- Brilliant Brains – how your baby communicates through gestures – BBC Tiny Happy People
- Brilliant Brains – How babies start processing sounds in the womb – BBC Tiny Happy People
- Brilliant Brains 6-9 months – How babies come to recognise their name
- Don’t worry about sounding silly, baby talk is great!
National Literacy Trust, Words for Life website – activities for parents and support materials
Burke, N. (2018) Musical Development Matters in the Early Years: free downloadable guidance written to support the development of music practice and provision in settings plus free online resources to accompany the guidance: videos, questions for reflection, research, information and downloadable resources
Songs, rhymes and finger play pamphlet, Froebel Trust
The ESRC International Centre for Language and Communicative Development (LUCID) Evidence Briefings:
- How can our responses to babies’ gestures help with their language development?
- Quantity vs. Quality of child-directed speech: what matters most?
- How does shared book reading help boost child language development?
NCB (2019) Closing the Word Gap with Jean Gross CBE, article, presentation and briefing paper
English as an additional language
- FAQ: Raising Bilingual Children, Linguistic Society of America
- Understanding the steps of learning for children with English as an additional language in the Early Years, Ethnic Minority Achievement Service, Brighton & Hove City Council
- Case studies EAL (??)
- Multilingual Manchester Research reports, University of Manchester
- The ESRC International Centre for Language and Communicative Development (LUCID) Evidence Briefing – Myths and misconceptions about language development in multilingual children
- The Bell Foundation, EAL framework (create free account to access)
- NCB (2017) Supporting bilingual families, article, presentation and briefing paper
- DCSF (2007) Supporting children learning English as an additional language, National Strategy document
Bowen, C. (2011) Brown’s Stages of Syntactic and Morphological Development, Speech-language-therapy website
Talking with parents about children’s SCL Needs, ICAN video
Makaton information, resources and guidance, Makaton website
Physical Development
Short list
- Active Matters – Dedicated to early years physical development, led by Dr Lala Manners, loads of up to date resources, articles and news (UK) including Greater Manchester Moving– Top 10 Tips for Movement
- Early Movers– helping under 5s live active and healthy lives, a collaborative project between Loughborough University, the NCSEM and Loughborough campus nursery
- Jabadao – a charity focused on developmental movement
- Casey, L and Robertson, J. (2019) Loose Parts Play Tool Kit (2nd edition), Inspiring Scotland– very useful for physically active outdoor play
- Moving Smart (New Zealand); has a very helpful blog
- NHS England How much sleep do children need?
- NHS Health for Under 5s Ages and Stages Questionnaires – further information about the questionnaires used by Health Visitors
- Outdoors and Active – Early Education project resources increasing physicality through play outdoors
- Pikler Collection – gathers all information about the work of Dr Emmi Pikler available in the English language
- Ball, D., Gill, T. and Spiegal, B. (2012) Managing risk in play provision: implementation guide, Play Safety Forum, NCB
- Sensory Integration – information about sensory development and processing
- Siren films clip library (subscription required: 30 day free trial) –Observational films showing interrelationship between gross and fine motor movements
- Supporting physical development in early childhood – Open University/Future Learn free online course in 6 parts
- World Health Organisation (WHO) (2019) 24 hour guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behavior and sleep for children under 5 years of age
- Eat better, start better, Foundation Years website
Additional resources
- Active for Life (for parents) – very practical ideas for being more active as families (Canada) including How to make a DIY active indoor playspace on a budget (blog)
- Baby massage: tips and benefits – NCT Ist 1000 days New Parent Support
- Is being barefoot in the early years catching on? from Early Childhood Outdoors blog
- On our Bicycles – Bikeability Balance – PDF from Bikeability
- Dorothy Marlen – combining Steiner and Pickler approaches for babies and infants
- Eating and feeding – University of Salford Cognitive Development Lab podcast
- Cursive writing, handwriting and EYFS: What you need to know, Early Education pedagogic pages
- Harvard University Centre on the Developing Child
- Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Children’s Play and Leisure: Promoting a Balanced Approach – high level statement on risk in play
- Baby Liv and rolling (video) from Janet Lansbury, natural early movement and parenting support (USA)
- Learning through Landscapes (UK) Early Years resources – national organisation supporting schools for learning outdoors
- Physical Literacy in the Early Years (PLEY) outdoor loose parts play event (video) (Canada)
- Anna Freud Centre: Common difficulties in the Early Years (Mental Health in Early Childhood) and Mentally Healthy Schools
- Timbernook – physical outdoor experiences from a paediatric physiotherapist
- NHS physical activity guidelines for children (under 5 years)
Expressive Arts and Design
Burke, N. (2018) Musical Development Matters in the Early Years: free downloadable guidance written to support the development of music practice and provision in settings plus free online resources to accompany the guidance: videos, questions for reflection, research, information and downloadable resources
Sound Communities: free online resource from Creative Futures exploring music and communication, including videos, resources and information
Soundwaves Network: a collection of musically focused case studies
Burke, N. (Ed) (2018) Music in Early Childhood, Early Education Journal no 86, Autumn 2018
Creative Skills Online Podcast from Starcatchers, talking with artist practitioners about ideas for the early years
Penfold, L. (2019) What is the role of materials in children’s learning through art? Art. Play. Children. Learning. Blog post. Theory-led piece on children’s use of materials,
Hills, P. (2019) Are you dancing? Are you asking? The duet between the body as a material and the environment, in Materials as provocations: Early Education Journal No 89 Autumn 2019.
Keyte-Hartland, D. (2019) Intelligent Materials: Agency and Ethics, in Materials as provocations: Early Education Journal No 89 Autumn 2019.
Lowings, L. (2019) Thoughtful planning-strategies to liberate innovative and collaborative learning, in Materials as provocations: Early Education Journal No 89 Autumn 2019.
Lowings, L. (2019) “I have lots of ideas, so many ideas you wouldn’t even think of”: thinking conversations in a nursery school, in Communication and language: Early Education Journal No 87 Spring 2019.
We Think Everywhere, website on an Erasmus funded project looking at Creative and Expressive uses of Digital media and technology with young children
Makerspaces in the early years: Enhancing digital literacy and creativity (MakEY) – EU funded project led by Professor Jackie Marsh at the University of Sheffield
Ring, K. (2013) Creative Representation: the child’s unique response to experience, in Early Education Journal, Spring 2013.
Moorhouse, P. (2021) Creative Woodwork in Early Childhood, Birth to 5 Matters document
Parker, L. (nd) Exploring Clay, Froebel Trust pamphlet
100 Languages of Children: The Reggio Emilia Approach: Film from the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre; Poem from the Reggio Emilia Approach website
Reding, C. (nd) The sounds of leaping – exploring relationships between music and movement, ReFocus Journal 9
Memin, M. and Reding, C. (2008) The energy and conviviality of imagination – exploring and developing ideas through dance and music, ReFocus Journal 6, Winter 2008
Understanding the World
Mirrors Windows and Doors – an online magazine on cultural and multicultural diversity in children’s books
EYFS Science for Starters – activities for children from 4-6 from STEM Learning
Laying the Foundations – edited collection of chapters about the teaching of science to children aged three to six years. Published by the Association for Science Education (ASE) in 2000, now on the STEM Learning website
Fostering curiosity in the early years – Continuing Professional Development Unit from the Primary Science Teaching Trust
Tree tools for schools – activities from the Woodland Trust
Summary of evidence on value of nature to development, Dose of Nature website
Notes from Prof Tina Bruce to support and encourage children, families, practitioners and carers to engage with nature and understand the natural world, Birth to 5 Matters document
Catling, S. (2006). What do Five-Year-Olds Know of the World? Geographical Understanding and Play in Young Children’s Early Learning Geography, 91(1), 55-74.
Creativity in Science and Mathematics Education for Young Children, Executive Summary from Creative Little Scientists project
Digital technologies and the early years, videos and downloadable resources from the National Literacy Trust
Makerspaces in the early years: Enhancing digital literacy and creativity (MakEY) – EU funded project led by Professor Jackie Marsh at the University of Sheffield
Literacy
Symbolic play, Birth to 5 Matters document
Supporting creativity and enjoyment with literacy, Birth to 5 Matters document
Literacy in the community, Birth to 5 Matters document
Early reading, Birth to 5 Matters document
Early writing, Birth to 5 Matters document
Being a writer at age 2 – Birth to 5 Matters video
DCSF (2008) Mark Making Matters: Young children making meaning in all areas of learning and development, National Strategies Early Years document
Making books with children from The Writing for Pleasure Centre
Mathematics
Learning and Teaching with Learning Trajectories, US-based website on natural developmental progression in learning mathematics from birth to 8
Carruthers, E. and Worthington, M. (2010, revised 2016) Children’s Mathematical Graphics: Understanding the Key Concept, NRICH website
Gifford, S. (2020) The Importance of Shape and Space in the Early Years, NRICH website
Early years mathematics pedagogy: exploration, apprenticeship & making sense, Early Childhood Mathematics Group pedagogy statement
Number and quantity: Williams, H.J. (2019) Mathematics in the Early Years: What Matters? – the first part of an article first published in IMPACT, journal of the Chartered College of Teachers, 2019, on
Solving mathematical problems: Gifford, S. (2016) Mathematical Problem Solving in the Early Years: Developing Opportunities, Strategies and Confidence, NRICH website
Family maths, Everyday Family Math: Supporting Children’s early math learning with fun, everyday activities!, videos from Tandem in partnership with Development and Research in Early Mathematics Education (DREME), Stanford University
Building Firm Foundations in Mathematics documents for three age bands: B-2s, 3-5s & 5-7s from the Early Childhood Mathematics Group
Mathematical moments, examples of practice from birth to 5, Early Childhood Mathematics Group
Boosting children’s confidence in maths: Parents fear (math) no more!, blog with tips for parents, Development and Research in Early Math Education, Stanford University
Education Review Office, (2016) Early mathematics: a guide for improving teaching and learning, New Zealand Government
Seeking patterns: Gifford, S. (2019) Developing Pattern Awareness with Young Children, NRICH website
Building on mathematical ideas and pretend play: Carruthers, E. (nd) Open Mathematics, open minds: children’s thinking and mathematics, Community Playthings website
Erikson Institute Early Maths Collective (USA), resources, professional development modules
Development and Research in Early Maths (DREME) (USA) , resources for teachers and parents, blogs, professional development modules
Count with me, leaflets with tips for parents from Surrey County Council
DCSF (2009) Children Thinking Mathematically, National Strategies Early Years document
DCSF (2008) Mark Making Matters, National Strategies Early Years document
Early Years Maths, materials to support reception teachers from National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM) and a podcast on How children develop mathematical thinking
NRICH EYFS homepage of project aimed at enriching mathematical experiences
Mastery in Mathematics in the Early Years, East Midlands West Maths Hub
Using manipulatives in the foundations of arithmetic, Nuffield Foundation funded research project with resources for teachers