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  • Podcast
    The Episode All About Urban vs Rural Upbringings

    Oct 02, 2024 • 39 min read

    In this episode of the Little Minds Big Ideas podcast with the Early Years Network, hosts Emily and Ben discuss the differences between rural and urban upbringings. They explore various aspects such as education, community, healthcare, independence, and more, while sharing their personal experiences.

  • Podcast
    Dear Diary: How the outside world perceives early years

    Sept 30, 2024 • 20 min read

    In this episode of 'Diary of an Early Years Educator,' Emily reflects on her week and discusses an important issue prompted by a recent education conference she attended. Emily shares her thoughts on professionalism in early years education, the importance of uniforms, and the unfortunate perception gap between early years educators and other education professionals.

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Class

Early Years Education Foundations

  • Educational Development
  • Emily Macfarlane
  • 40 Mins
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Skill Level

Unqualified Professionals

Duration

40 Mins

Resources

1 Files

Streaming Content

5 Videos

Description

For a young child developing a healthy and intelligent brain, play is absolutely everything to them! Playing is how children most efficiently develop new, and strengthen established, neurological connections within their brains that allow them to learn vital social, emotional and cognitive skills. Enabling children's play is the fundamental duty of all early years professionals and the most important thing we can do, aside from safeguarding and protecting the children under out care. In this class Emily we guide you through the basic principles of why play is so important to children, introduce you to two of her favourite play theorists and how you can have such a major impact on developing children through play!

Skills you'll learn

Lesson Content

1. Exploring Theories of Play

07:34

In this lesson Emily gives a brief overview of the work of both Rudolf Steiner and the Reggio Emilia approach inspired by Loris Malaguzzi. Through these two exceptional play theories you'll explore some of the key principles of play and how we can use these theories to further children's curiosity, imaginations, and learning through play!

2. The Five Characteristics of Meaningful Play

07:31

Children are born to play, it is the most important thing a child can ever do! Join Emily in this lesson breaking play down into the main characteristics and how we can help support children to learn and develop through their play.

3. Investing Into Our Future

05:12

Our role in early years is to prepare early years children for a future that we cannot predict, however there are some basic cognitive skills that all future employees will want to see. Helping children to develop these essential cognitive skills during the early years when children's brains are ripe for learning is crucial! In this lesson Emily helps guide you through developing these future skills they'll need in later life through their play.

4. Quality Interactions In The Early Years

07:39

In this lesson Emily explores our role in the early years and how we can help support children during their early years development journey. We're passengers on this journey with the children to help facilitate, support and guide...not to dictate and impose ourselves on the children.

5. The Importance of Scaffolding Learning

03:06

Scaffolding children's learning is a vital component of our role and how we best help children on the road of discovery and who are following their own innate curiosity. In this lesson Emily explains what scaffolding is, as well as, providing you with some tips and tricks how you can help scaffold children's learning within your setting.

Meet your teacher

Having worked in early years since the age of 16 early childhood learning means everything to me, which is why I'm so passionate about ensuring a platform dedicated to our communities learning exists. I've experienced first hand the lack of genuine and affordable learning opportunities that exist within early years and trying to provide my teams with high quality and flexible training on a non-existent budget is an impossible task. Its our mission to change this.

'I love learning something new on The Early Years Network!'

Being able to access The Early Years Network training videos has given me the confidence to do my role to the best of my ability. With easy to understand videos, I feel that I am constantly learning something new, that in turn, allows me to provide children with the best possible learning opportunities.

Hannah Dakin

Unqualified Nursery Practitioner

Class FAQ'S

Are all the Network Classes included in my monthly price?

Regardless if you are a standard user or a corporate user, your membership grants you access to our entire collection of Network Classes so you can begin your educational journey with us today without any limitations.

Are there quizzes on the platform?

The Early Years Network is all about meaningful learning that will transform the way you interact with and educate young children, not attempting to fill your head with information for the sake of a quick superficial quiz.

Are videos available in different languages?

Unfortunately for the time being videos are only available in English, but maybe one day...

Can I access The Early Years Network if I don't have an early years qualification?

YES! Content on The Early Years Network has been created for people interested in early years regardless of age, experience or academic background. We have something for everyone whether you are a childminder, parent/carer or an early years professional.

Can I download the videos?

No, all videos are only accessible to stream online and require an internet connection in order to access the platform and watch the content.

Can I only access The Early Years Network on a computer?

Absolutely not, The Early Years Network has been optimised to be used on any device from your mobile phone to your tablet! Our flexible approach to learning embraces any and all types of device so you can learn anytime, anywhere!

Is The Early Network an accredited institution?

Whilst The Early Years Network is not an accredited body we do offer skill-based learning helping people transform knowledge and theory into meaningful change and improvement to their practice, environments and curriculum. Our Network Courses are created and hosted by leading experts within their academic fields, and upon completion of each course learners will be provided with a certificate to evidence their achievement.

Is there a minimum subscription time?

Of course not! You're free to cancel your membership whenever you like.

What is The Early Years Network?

We are a learning and development platform dedicated to the magical world of early years! We cover a wide range of topics, from child brain development to the importance of safeguarding and child wellbeing, through high-quality and immersive video content.

What subjects are covered on The Early Years Network?

We cover everything Early Years from ‘Cognitive Development Theories’, to the science behind play and even how to build the best rocket ship out of cardboard (you won't want to miss that video!). If you can think of a topic in early years we've probably got a video on it!

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