Sharing Web Resources

Some websites are packed with information and resources that makes it possible to learn something new every time you visit. The British Association for Early Childhood website, http://www.early-education.org.uk, is no different. As I navigated in new sections of the website this week, I learned of branches and special interest group that are facilitated through the association. One such group offered is the Baby Room Group. Within this support group of sorts, they explore ideas and questions such as, "Are you interested in the links between attachment and early language?" This provides a time to examine how the Early Years Foundation Stage (UK standards for learning, development and care for children from birth to five) may affect baby room practice. I found it interesting that they referred to infant and toddler environments as baby rooms. 

Visiting this site every week keeps me informed of late news and events. It was posted that Early Education, "launched Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), new non-statutory guidance produced by Early Education with support from the Department for Education that supports all those working in early childhood education settings to implement the statutory requirements of the EYFS Framework 2012." The director stated, "Development Matters demonstrates how the four themes of the EYFS Framework and the principles that inform them work together to support the development of babies, toddlers and young children within the context of the EYFS framework."  


Lastly, I re-visited the publications and resources link to find that Early Education's own Nancy Stewart wrote How Children Learn: The Characteristics of Effective Early Learning, with a foreward by Early Education President, Helen Moylett. "This book explores effective early childhood learning through focusing on how rather than what children learn." While this is an important topic to the UK in regards to their EYFS structure, this is important to remember when working with young children anywhere. As we have all been studying the process of learning, not what is being taught. 


                                                                       


Each one of the examples I provided here addresses the inequity in who teaches young children and tackles issues related to responsiveness. Early Education offers a plethora of resources and supports to early childhood professionals on a variety of topics and issues in the arena of child development and working with families. I hope you take a minute, if you haven't already, to take a look. I'm sure you will find an article that addresses a topic of interest for you.