1. Big Lessons from Little Learners
Sue Cowley
@Sue_Cowley

2. What Creates ‘the Gap’? Amount and type of language in the home
Opportunities to play, explore, discover
Enriching cultural experiences/resources
Early experiences of reading and stories
Impact of stresses on parenting
Medical and genetic factors

3. Mind the Gap?

4. What Makes EYFS Different?
Focus on play
Enabling environments
All facets of development
Focus on talk and communication
Closeness of links with parents

5. Self Regulation

6. Self Regulation Behaviour as communication
What does the child still need to learn?
What could we adapt about our provision?
Building self control and independence
A focus on intrinsic motivations to behave
Less focus on extrinsic mechanisms

7. Change One Thing? Link rewards to learning
Ask: what does this child need?
Frame behaviours as a choice
Talk about the ‘why’ of behaviour

8. Freeflow and Forest Club

9. Free Flow and Forest Club
Under 5s should be active for 3 hours a day
5 – 18 year olds for at least 60 minutes a day
Interactive, child led, hands on learning
Exercise, fresh air, sunlight
Phonological awareness
Builds independence, risk taking, resilience

10. Change One Thing? Join the Daily Mile challenge
Do a daily Go Noodle session
Join the RHS school gardening scheme
Find ways to learn outdoors

11. Next Steps Planning

12. Next Steps Planning The ultimate in differentiated learning
Observe – Assess – Adapt
Lesson is a unit but learning is a process
Zone of Proximal Development
Development Matters
A personalised ‘Learning Journey’

13. Change One Thing? Base some learning on interests
Step back; take time to observe
Use a portfolio approach
Explore what builds on what

14. Partnerships with Parents

15. Partnerships with Parents
“children’s first and most enduring educators”
What did you do at preschool today?
Home visit, blog, questionnaire, WOW slips
If you build it, they will come …
A leap of faith that can pay dividends
Ripples out into the wider community

16. Change One Thing? Reach out constantly, give it time
Ask parents what they value
And you might even get me!
If you don’t ask you won’t get

17. Useful Links and References