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  • Podcast
    The Episode All About Self-Expression

    Jul 22, 2024 • 50 min read

    In this week's episode, "The Episode All About Self-Expression," hosts Ben and Emily dive into the vibrant world of self-expression and its vital role in early childhood development. Join them as they explore the importance of freedom in creativity, the necessity of emotional support, and how confidence is built through embracing individuality.

  • Podcast
    The Episode All About The Early Years Room 101

    Jul 15, 2024 • 42 min read

    In this week's episode of Little Minds, Big Ideas hosts Ben and Emily take inspiration from the BBC show hosted by Frank Skinner, Room 101. Join them as they humorously and critically nominate three early years-related "things" they would love to banish forever into Room 101.

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Class

Early Years Education Foundations

  • Pedagogy & Theory
  • Ben Jones
  • 1 Hour
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Skill Level

Unqualified Professionals

Duration

1 Hour

Resources

1 Files

Streaming Content

6 Videos

Description

Welcome to Waldorf Education and the theoretical teachings of Rudolf Steiner! Rudolf Steiner, the founder of anthroposophy, believed that the early years and child development are crucial for a child’s future growth and success. He emphasised the importance of nurturing a child’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, and believed that a holistic approach to education was necessary. Steiner advocated for a child centred learning approach, where teachers need to understand each child’s needs, interests and abilities to provide an appropriate education. He believed that learning should be experiential, and children should learn through direct experience and experimentation, also emphasising the importance of practical and hands-on activities such as crafts, gardening and cooking to supplement academic learning. Within this class you'll deep dive into all these theoretical ideas and concepts, as well as, investigating some strategies and ideas that you can use to incorporate aspects of Steiner's ideas into your practice!

Skills you'll learn

Lesson Content

1. Understanding Waldorf Education

24:48

To begin this class you'll delve into the concept of holistic development, the role of the practitioner through the eyes of Rudolf Steiner, how he viewed the different stages of child development over time and the concept of free play and real work. Lesson 1 is a pivotal step in gaining a real grounding in the ideas and educational principals of Rudolf Steiner.

2. Daily Rhythms & Repetitions

09:59

This lesson is all about establishing daily ‘Rhythms and Repetition’ was an integral component of Steiner’s ideology as he believed it ‘protected the life forces of children’ by providing them with security and reassurance throughout the day. Your rhythms are the sequence or structure of your day or week, whereas your repetitions are certain events or routines that take place on a regular basis.

3. Developing 'The Heart' Through Positive Relationships

07:19

Holistic learning for Rudolf Steiner was all about developing 'the hands, the heart & the head' not just an amalgamation of educational outcomes in one activity. In this lesson you'll be exploring the idea of developing 'the heart' through positive relationships and healthy attachments, as well as, the benefits that come from these healthy connections.

4. The Steiner Environment

12:47

Creating aesthetically pleasing environments has become a huge trend across the Early Years community the past few years and this largely stems from the work of Steiner. Within this lesson you'll investigate why he emphasised the importance of creating environments that were homely and designed to be the opposite of a generic classroom and instead convey calm and relaxed spaces, enabling the children to settle faster and give their full concentrate to the task at hand.

5. Artistic Expression Within Early Years

07:05

This lesson is all about incorporating an important Waldorf Principle of artistic expression within your early years curriculum and everyday activities. Artistic expression can be anything from clay modelling, mud play or even poetry as oral expression, fantasy play and rich language was just as important to Steiner as having the freedom to create physical art.

6. Outro: Rudolf Steiner's Approach To Early Years Development

04:08

In this final lesson Ben discusses the benefits incorporating some of Rudolf Steiner's principles could have on your setting, as well as exploring ways in which his ideas still resinate a hundred years later within our modern world.

Meet your teacher

As an owner of multiple settings across the United Kingdom, I truly understand the difficult challenges our industry and the people within it face on a daily basis. Which is why I'm so resolute in providing change for our industry through a platform that offers meaningful and accessible learning, to not only improve practice and children's outcomes, but also to provide the incredible people within our community with a meaningful voice to share their work and passion.

'Learning for a brand new mummy and professional in early years.'

I've recently become a mummy for the first time and just recently gone back to work as a room leader. I was really nervous about feeling left behind and out of the loop, but finding The Early Years Network has given me so many ideas to share with my team and confidence. The bitesize lessons are so easy to dip in and out of, I find myself watching them at the most random moments! I've so far encouraged all my team to sign up and would recommend anyone with young children or works in the industry to get it!

Claire Edmonds

Room Leader

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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