The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Some books just have a universal appeal – and Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar is one of those books. Written over 45 years ago, the simple story with its striking illustrations has been a favourite for generations. But it’s not just a...

Schemas

Why do young children do what they do? Have you seen a toddler repeat an activity over and over again – tipping over the Lego box and emptying its contents on the floor, swishing the paint around in a circle, rolling their toy car over the uneven tiles and refusing to...

Outdoor activities

Getting outside and learning with the children in your setting is key to improving their development in all areas. We wanted to give you a bit of inspiration on what activities you could do in your settings, or trips you could take, with supportive information along...

Mark-making

Mark making is a term used for the creation of different patterns, lines, textures and shapes. This may be on a piece of paper, on the floor, outside in the garden or on an object or surface. It could be a simple dot or a line across a paper, all of this contributes...

Literacy in the early years

The term “literacy” is used by some to simply describe reading and writing, but in fact literacy covers a much wider range of learning. Literacy in the early years includes talking about books, print in the environment, early mark making and writing, as...