Thriving Language - Early Years

Here the Beckies are delighted to talk with Lynnette and John about their extensive knowledge of Schema Play. We chat about the ethos of their community interest company SchemaPlay,   we discover their amazing research and practical knowledge of enabling child led play and extending this. Lynnette discusses how all children's learning comes from the child,  and how we can extend this through...

Here the Beckies talk about The New Year, what is happening now and  where we are at, what has been difficult and our hopes and thoughts for the future. To be honest  we really mean from March 2020 to now!  Becky has  being trying to master being a virtual speech and language therapist,  she feels very supported by the NHS in her arena. Parents have still accessed virtual support and  created new...

Here the Beckies talk to Edwin the inspirational founder of The Brun Bear Foundation. We discover the story, thought and inspiration behind this amazing charity, that helps so many people to  discover the power of communities. If you haven't heard of The Brun Bear Foundation, then you are in for a treat, we promise this will inspire not only your day but mostly probably your life!   This is a...

Here the Beckies  are delighted  to talk to Sarah the creator of This Mums Mind. We discover why she started her brilliant blog and  what her mission  to support other people is all about . Sarah is open and honest about what it feels like to live with mental health illness. This brave choice to talk came from 'time to talk'.  Sarah speaks about understanding  that not all you see is wha...

Discover with The Beckies what does Awe and Wonder feel like - what does it look like? How will we know when we observe this in practice and how do we experience it for ourselves? Totally living in the moment - total clear mind and being alive, being immersed, you or the child cannot think of anything else.   Is this happiness and joy? What does it feel like to be totally immersed in whatever you...

Here The Beckies talk to Caroline to discuss Birth to Five  Matters , there is a big buzz around this at the moment and everyone in Early Years has the opportunity to shape how we work. Caroline explains what is happening right now and what to look out for. There are lots of collaborative working parties  from the early years sector all working  hard ,  and  from the 15th December the first draft...

Here the Beckies chat about who are the word police and why do they correct everyone? Discover what we can do to help people who struggle with words. Kindness as always is the key,  the dance of conversation is so important interrupting people will only make them think you are not interested. Listen to what someone is really saying, to correct them is never a good idea. It stops flow, its stops cr...

Here the Beckies talk to Lee Friend  a male  manager in early years running a large setting with years of experience. We discover what and who his inspiration are (Emma if you are listening you have been a great advocate for early years in the foundations of Lee's journey). What is it like for a man in early years , what was Lee's route into early years? Being the only male manager in th...

Here the Beckies are joined by Caroline Eaton to discover more about why children's environments are important and why does it matter? Discover how  to  reflect children's lives in their environments so they are held in mind and know they are important. Does your environment enable children to show us what they really can do? How much do we really need to spend on our environments? &apos...

Here the Beckies chat about Children's eating habits and the role of the adult . We talk about our own experiences at school  lunchtime how we felt, and what made us overwhelmed and what made us feel listened to. Understanding the power of the person in control of the child's eating is fundamental to create   healthy eating habits for life. In the moment eating , where do schemas come in...

Here the Beckies, are sat outside ion a chilly afternoon and chatting about expectations. We find out what expectations are all about and whose idea are they anyway? What happen's in our lives to help us stop and think , what do you need? Are our expectations too high  especially at that moment.  Being honest about what you love doing, what you can tolerate and what you are finding difficult...

Here the Beckies talk about what is an Inset day - What are they, why have them? Why is understanding this crucial training element for our educational profession so important ? We may even have chance to have a coffee and lunch  with all our team, when does this ever happen? It is a really brilliant opportunity to focus on  training as a whole team, evaluating practice and embedding new ideas. No...

Here the Beckies chat about  the misunderstanding of 'Holidays' in early years and education. The dedication of the Teachers and Professionals in all education is astounding. Are we not taking our holidays because this is the only time to improve our environments and to catch up. Why don't we take our holiday that we are entitled to? Why do we work through our holidays? Are we creat...

Here the Beckies, talk to an amazing Early Years dynamic duo. They are both qualified Teachers who chose to step out of teaching primary and open their own preschool. Together we discuss their reasons for their change of heart and their  passion for embracing early years. We hear how their careers progressed as they found friendship and professionalism through a chance meeting in the playground. T...

Here the Beckies talk to Kelly who is a specialist teacher in health and wellbeing, we chat about the Facts4life, what is the project and what does it mean for early years? Facts4life is an approach to learning that promotes heath resilience for physical and mental health.  Understanding fluctuations in our health is a key element and here Kelly explains why this is so important, she discusses the...

Here the Beckies, talk about the current situation in early years and PPE. Becs talks about her training for PPE in her Speech and Language role. The discussion is around what children think about PPE, preparation and communication is key. Using social stories, using the everyday life experiences of children. We have to accept that there are times when we may dress or look a bit different for now...

Here the Beckies talk about Codes of Practice, what is it and what does it mean?  In Speech and Language Therapy there is a clear route with standards and clinic practice. Support with CPD and reflection in practice.  For Early Years there is support through Early Education, PACEY, Early Years Alliance etc, and then there is Ofsted, this is more of an overseeing body... So it leaves us with the qu...

Here the Beckies talk to a wonderful Early Years advocate Victoria Leather, about what is out there for all of us in our profession and what support we can all embrace and be part of. We talk about the Road to Recovery, and how we can all help each other... How as a sector do we continue to discuss the challenges, we come together to raise our professional voice and discuss proactively what is nee...

Here Becky from Thriving Language talks with Mel an awesome Music Therapist. Discover what is a music therapist and why does music really matter in Early Years? Children hear even before pre-birth at about 18 weeks in the womb , listening and communicating plays a huge role in everyone's life. Children can gain confidence, social skills through music. just think how does music make you feel?...

Here the Beckies are joined by the lovely Emma a University Lecturer . What is life like as a lecturer and how did Emma become one, we discover what impact a University Lecturer can make to Early Years and the lives of children. We chat about the most important aspects of choosing this career? Emma talks honestly about what she misses about not working directly with young children. Relationships a...

Here the Beckies, talk honestly about communication difficulties. Apraxia - What is this and why do we need to understand what this is? This is where you think of what you want to say however the message gets broken down on the way to saying this... This is a processing disorder. Becky talks about her practice and the children she has helped to be heard. This emotional and thought provoking line f...

Here the Beckies talk about Peer observations in practice. We chat about how what peer obs mean and how we can do them easily in practice. Its really important that these are meaningful, we can all always develop our practice and celebrate our successful teaching.  Peer observations are not carried out with an end goal in mind, they are created to be discussed and give understanding on how to move...

Here the Beckies are joined by the lovely Mindy from Badger Wood. We discover what risks children are really taking in the woods and what outside play can really mean for them. What does Forest School actually mean and what is its purpose? The children can gain a true place in their environment which enables them to understand change over time. Children's emotional and intellectual play is ve...

Here the Beckies, talk about levels of engagement in play, What is it ? Why does is matter ? How do we help children to become deeply engaged?  What does a child look like when they are in their highest state of learning? It is not for us to change and create play, wait for your invite. The children are actually building their brains and their foundations for the future. How can the early years en...

Here the Beckies talk about why we love two year olds, Living and working with two year olds can be very exciting, yes we know it can be really hard work to. Two year olds cannot emotionally regulate, so what can we all do to help them be who they really are? Nurturing, positive boundaries that are achievable, model and develop kindness and empathy. See the positive, see the delight  and  build up...