Planning is central to the role of any early years practitioner and involves careful consideration of resources and the learning environment, learning outcomes, observation and assessment and the unique abilities of individual children. This is a big ask and in a busy setting it can be a challenge to adopt a flexible, creative approach to planning that embraces the unexpected rather than relying on templates or existing schemes of work. This book takes a fresh look at planning to consider the possibilities that should be encouraged when playing alongside young children. It shows how a creative approach that allows for spontaneous adventures in play through child-led projects leads to rich learning experiences that build on children's own interests. Drawing on practice from Reggio Emilia, New Zealand, Scandinavia and settings in the UK, the book covers all aspects of planning including: using observations of children to enable them to lead projects; organisation of indoor and outdoor learning environments; inclusive practice; learning through risk taking and adventure play; working with parents and carers; encouraging the team to consider different ways of working. Including encounters from authentic settings and provocative questions for reflective practice, this timely new text aims to give students and practitioners the confidence to adopt a flexible approach to planning that will better meet the needs of the children in their care. The authors are experienced lecturers, practitioners, mentors and assessors. Working with students, visiting placements, training teachers and early years professionals, they provide a sense of real purpose in their writing and enjoyment in the themes made explicit throughout this book.

Play is an important vehicle for learning in the early years. With intentional planning frameworks, this resource provides teachers with tools and strategies to organize and develop curriculum around high-level, purposeful play. Practical application techniques help teachers create a cycle of planning and observation as they use a play-based curriculum to help young children thrive in the classroom. Gaye Gronlund is an early childhood education consultant who trains early childhood educators across the country. She is the author of six books.

Practitioners need help keeping up to speed with the latest developments in the Early Years. Updated in line with current policy and practice, this new edition fully reflects the Early Years Foundation Stage themes, principles, commitments and guidance and recognises the importance of play as a context for teaching, learning and assessment. With explicit links to the EYFS learning and development grids and the early learning goals, it includes practical guidance and ideas on: creating stimulating learning environments indoors and out planning exciting focus activities and experiences responding to children's individual interests and supporting personalised learning sound observational practice and how to assess children's learning and development within the EYFS framework developing genuine partnerships with parents and learning links with home. Incorporating 'Key Points for Good Practice' within each chapter, and direct links to the EYFS 'Principles into Practice' cards as well as EYP standards, this is a key text for all practitioners working with children in the later stages of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It is also ideal for students pursuing Qualified Teacher Status in the Early Years and Early Years Professional Status, and for those enrolled in courses in Early Childhood Studies and Foundation Degrees in Early Years.

Praise for 3rd edition: 'Experienced practitioners and students will find a host of new ideas to help them create interesting environments and starting points to promote young children's learning.' - Early Years Update, April 2009 'Planning for Children's Play and Learning includes practical guidance and ideas on creating stimulating learning environments indoors and outdoors, planning exciting learning experiences.' - Early Years Update, September 2009 This new edition of Planning for Children’s Play and Learning has been fully updated to reflect the revised Early Years Foundation Stage and in line with current policy and practice. It recognises the importance of play as a context for teaching, learning and assessment and links theory with practical examples to show practitioners how they can best support the children in their care. With new material on learning stories, language development, ICT and the home learning environment, the book includes practical guidance and ideas on: • creating stimulating learning environments indoors and out • planning exciting focus activities and experiences • responding to children’s individual interests and supporting personalised learning • sound observational practice and how to assess children’s learning and development within the EYFS framework • developing genuine partnerships with parents and learning links with home. Incorporating ‘Key Points for Good Practice’ within each chapter, and direct links to the EYFS, this is a key text for all practitioners working with children in the later stages of the EYFS. It is also ideal for students pursuing Qualified Teacher Status in the Early Years and EYT Status, and for those enrolled in courses in Early Childhood Studies and Foundation Degrees in Early Years.

Young children learn best through play. Planning for Play helps educators understand the different types of play and the rich opportunities offered through carefully planned time and environments designed for valuable pre-K play experiences.

Discover new, practical methods for teaching literacy skills in your early childhood classroom. Has teaching early literacy skills become a stumbling block to getting your preschool students kindergarten ready? Break out of the tired “letter of the week” routine and learn how to transform your lessons with fun and effective techniques. Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers will equip teachers to infuse every aspect of their teaching with exciting hands-on literacy teaching methods that engage students and help them build authentic connections with books, so that 100% of their students will have a strong literacy foundation and will be fully prepared for success in kindergarten and beyond. Respected author Vanessa Levin, veteran early childhood educator and author of the “Pre-K Pages” blog, breaks down the research and translates it into realistic, actionable steps you can take to improve your teaching. Features specific examples of teaching techniques and activities that engage students in hands-on, experiential learning during circle time, centers, and small groups. Offers a simple, four-step system for teaching literacy skills, based on the foundational principles of early literacy teaching Demonstrates how to build your confidence in your ability to get 100% of your students ready for kindergarten, long before the end of the school year Understand the problems with traditional literacy teaching and identify gaps in your current teaching practice with this valuable resource.

Fully reflecting the content of the Foundation Stage's Early Learning Goals (DfEE 1999), this text is written for all practitioners working in Early Years settings, as well as those pursuing Qualified Teacher Status for the 3-5 year age group.