Teaching Self-Advocacy Skills to Our Young Children Today to Change the Societal Attitudes of Tomorrow by Jenna Jefferies
For too long, compliance has been the only goal for children with developmental differences in education and society. In this blog post by Jenna Jefferies, she explores how teaching self-advocacy skills to neurodivergent and disabled children can empower them to communicate their needs and stand up for themselves. By presuming competence, explicitly teaching self-advocacy in early years settings, and creating spaces where children feel validated, educators can help shift societal attitudes from deficit-focused to celebratory-driven. Learn practical strategies for supporting children’s self-advocacy that will raise a generation confident in getting their needs met and create a more inclusive society that values neurodiversity.
Bristol Early Years Book Club: Nurturing a Community of Readers
The Early Years Book Club, a collaborative initiative in Bristol, invites early years practitioners to enhance their knowledge of children’s literature. Monthly themes foster dialogue and resources, such as books focused on feelings and race equality. The club promotes community and celebrates reading, offering valuable tools for enriching children’s learning experiences.
Trauma Informed? Dispelling the Jargon and How You Can Make a Difference by Terri Mitchell
Explore the meaning behind common educational phrases like ‘Belonging Strategies’ and ‘Trauma Informed’ while discovering how to make a meaningful difference in children’s lives. Early years educator Terri Mitchell challenges us to shift our perspective on challenging behaviors and view them through a trauma-informed lens. Drawing from her extensive experience and training in Trauma Informed Schools, she explains how early childhood experiences shape brain development and why understanding trauma and attachment is crucial for every educator. This insightful post offers practical guidance on becoming an emotionally available adult who can positively impact children’s life outcomes.
The Importance of Self-Care Strategies for Staff, Children and Setting – Case Studies from the Early Years
In this blog post, by Dr. Louise Hannan, the complex emotional landscape of Early Years settings is explored through the lens of staff well-being and self-care strategies. Drawing from her experience as a practitioner, manager, and researcher, she examines how staff emotional well-being directly impacts children’s development through warm, responsive relationships. Through a case study with Bridgwater and Taunton College Childcare Centre, the research demonstrates how implementing simple self-care strategies can enhance job satisfaction, reduce stress, and create a more positive environment for both staff and children.
Evidence Informed Leadership and PD Opportunities with other Hubs
Evidence-Informed Leadership Programme The Bristol and Beyond SPH is collaborating with the Somerset Research School to repeat a very well-received leadership programme. Using Evidence to Strengthen Your Early Years Leadership is a three-part training programme for...
Promoting Positive Relationships through Relationship Mapping – Case Studies from the Early Years
Relationship Mapping, Attachment and Attunement in the Early Years is a training course delivered by Jacqui Lewis, an early years specialist. The Bristol & Beyond Stronger Practice Hub funded Jacqui to extend the delivery of this training to include our SPH area. The course explores the concept of relationship mapping, using sociograms to visualise relationships, and provides an opportunity to reflect upon the individual and pedagogical factors which influence adult-child relationships, and to consider how to strengthen relationships so that every child has a meaningful connection.
The Joy of Reading: How to Help Children Read for Pleasure Through Identity and Belonging by Esther Molyneux
When children learn to read, they gain knowledge, articulate ideas effectively, expand vocabulary, and enhance their attention span. However, literacy is more than a skill; it profoundly impacts children when they see a reflection of themselves, their identity, home structure, culture, and lived experience.
Early Years Recommendations – October 2024
Over the past few months, we’ve gathered some of our favourite new resources and recommendations curated by the Bristol & Beyond Stronger Practice Hub. Dive into insightful blog posts, explore new resources and guidance, watch training from experienced voices in...
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