Theory of Mind: Beyond the Preschool Years, Scott A. Miller

The book describes how educators in Reggio Emilia work with young children, and looks at the connections between the Reggio Approach and the revised Early Years Foundation Stage framework. It provides practical examples involving children of different ages in a wide variety of settings, helping the reader to see the connection between practice and theory.

This new edition has been fully updated to show the increasingly mirroring connections between the Reggio Approach and the principles and commitments of the recently revised Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Each chapter focuses on one important aspect of the Reggio Approach and includes:

• Practical examples involving children of different ages in a wide variety of settings, helping the reader to see the connection between practice and theory
• Questions to enable the reader to reflect on and develop his or her own practice in accordance with new statutory requirements
• References to sources of further reading and information.

This convenient guide will help early years practitioners, students and parents to really understand what the Reggio Approach can offer their setting and children.

Demonstrating how a child-led approach supports the development of purposeful, calm, confident and independent children, The Nursery Year in Action offers a unique month-by-month overview of the workings of an outstanding Nursery setting. The book covers all aspects of practice from the organisation of the classroom and garden and the rationale behind this to the routines and boundaries that ensure children are safe, happy and therefore able to explore and learn. It tracks the events of each month in the year paying particular attention to the environment, the role of the adult, links with parents, children's individual needs and the key areas of learning and development. Throughout the book Anna Ephgrave gives the reason behind each decision and shows what the outcomes have been for the children, emphasising that a child-led approach, with planning in the moment can meet the requirements of the revised Early Years Foundation Stage and the individual needs of the children.

Key features include:

• Over 150 full colour photographs to illustrate practice
• Photocopiable pages of planning sheets, record keeping sheets, sample letters to parents and play resources also available for download
• List of resources and materials
• Examples of individual learning journeys and planning in the moment for groups
• Guidance on what to look for when assessing children's progress
• Advice on risk/benefit assessments
• Suggestions for managing transitions and minimising stress

Written by a leading consultant teacher whose Early Years' department has achieved "Outstanding" at four consecutive Ofsted inspections, this book provides practitioners with the practical ideas to work with confidence in a way that is rewarding, manageable and, above all, creates a happy, relaxed learning environment for children.

Developing Attachments in Early Years Settings examines the importance of emotional' 'holding' and the nurturing of individual relationships within group childcare. The book aims to help you make a real difference to young children's sense of self and emotional security by being 'tuned in', available, responsive and consistent.

With a strong focus on facilitating secure attachments from the beginning and guidance on how to observe young children effectively, this new edition has been thoroughly updated and revised to include:

• How to make a positive contribution to good practice for Government funded 2 year olds
• A new chapter on the Emotional Environment and the Developing Brain
• Expansion of material on the importance of the outdoors, as well as Nurture group practice
• Additional material about working in partnership with parents and developing positive relationships

Each chapter includes a personal reflection exercise and a positive contribution to good practice section. With its accessible approach, this book is essential reading for both practitioners and students looking for guidance on how to nurture secondary attachment relationships in group care settings.

Key themes examined throughout this book relate to:

• The relationship between assessment policy and children's identities as learners;
• The complexity of classroom life;
• The power of assessment to shape definitions of 'learning' and 'learners';
• The impact of discourses of class, race, religion and the 'inner city' on how children are assessed, and how assumptions about inner city schools and low attainment can put pressure on teachers to assess children in particular ways.

In this important text, the author argues that assessment policies can have a huge impact on classrooms and teachers, as well as having potentially damaging effects for young children, particularly those from minoritised and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The book explores in detail the complex interaction of education policies with discourses of attainment and expectation, and the resulting reproduction of patterns of inequality. Understanding Early Years Inequality will have an immediate impact on current debates about educational policy and practice in Early Years education, and will be of particular interest to academics and students in educational studies, sociology of education, and early childhood studies.

Young children will naturally seek out challenges and take risks and this is crucial to their overall development. This book clearly explains why children should be given the freedom to take risks and provides practical guidance on how to offer stimulating and challenging outdoor experiences that will extend all areas of children's learning.

Including examples of activities for all weather conditions across all areas of learning, the book covers:

• The pedagogical history of adventure, risk and challenge
• Health, wellbeing and keeping safe
• The adult role
• Risk assessment
• Supporting individual children with different needs
• Environments that enable challenging and adventurous play
• Working with parents and addressing concerns
• Observation, planning and assessment

This book is essential reading for practitioners and students that wish to provide rich experiences for children that will enable them to become confident and adventurous learners.

What are the implications of current policy for the future?

How can early years professionals shape and craft practice in ways that genuinely focus on the needs of children and families, rather than the interests of policy makers?

This exciting new text explores the changing context and increasing importance of early years policy. It takes a broad look at policy developments and shows how these have affected children, settings, parents and the early years workforce.

Divided into two parts, the first examines theoretical perspectives and sets out the early years policy context, looking at issues surrounding accountability, international influences on policy and the Early Years Foundation Stage. The second half of the book directly shows how policy has influenced practice, and considers:

• the upskilling of the workforce and the impact of this on practitioners;
• the development of the learning environment including outdoor provision;
• sustained shared thinking and its link to high quality learning and teaching;
• the impact of policy on parents.

Offering a fresh perspective on early years policy, this timely textbook will be essential reading for students on undergraduate and postgraduate Early Years and Childhood Studies courses and those working towards Early Years Teacher status.