EYR International Blog

28/07/2021

Understanding the Basics of Phonics

Phonics is the way in which children begin to understand words, and as such is one of the most important parts of a child’s early education. This blog will go over the basic principles of phonics and the terms used, to help better understand the subject and consequently help children learn more effectively. Phonics deals with phonemes; the smallest unit of sound. Though there are only 26 letters in the English Alphabet, there are 44 phonemes. We’ve listed them below along with an example of how they sound; One of... Read More

23/06/2021
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Endangered Species Day Activities and Resources

21st May marks Endangered Species Day – a day to highlight the threats thousands of species of animals, insects, flowers and plants, and other creatures face. Endangered Species Day is celebrated globally on the third Friday of May every year. Particular focus is on raising awareness about the importance of protecting endangered species, their habitats and recognising conversation efforts. More than a whopping 37,000 species across the world face extinction. It’s now more important than ever that we teach our little ones about empathy and the importance of caring for... Read More

20/05/2021
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Tuff Tray Kits and Activities Your Children Will Love

What is a tuff tray? There’s no end to what you and your little ones can do with a tuff tray! A tuff tray, also known as a tuff spot or play tray is a large, durable octagon-shaped tray, made from heavy-duty plastic and is often found in educational settings and homes. They’re a staple in early year’s education as they provide endless possibilities for open-ended play, either individually or in groups. It’s a fantastic resource that has become widely popular over the years due to its simplicity while offering... Read More

Blog about sensory play activities for children 07/05/2021
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Sensory Play Activities for Children with Special Needs

This blog has been written with the help of our industry expert, Georgina Durrant, a former teacher/Special Educational Needs Coordinator and founder of The SEN Resources Blog. She shares with us her favourite sensory play activities for children with special needs which are guaranteed to stimulate the senses, keep children engaged and ignite their creativity and imagination. What is Sensory Play and Why is it Important? Sensory play is wonderful and a firm favourite activity for many children! It’s not only enjoyable for lots of children but it can also... Read More

20/04/2021
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Gardening Benefits & Activities for Children

Spending Time Outdoors Benefits Children’s Health & Well-Being Encouraging children to put down the smartphone and spend time outside can seem like a daunting task. At present, children on average only spend 16 minutes a day outside, and less than 24% of kids meet the daily recommended levels of physical activity. Spending time outside can significantly impact children’s health and well-being. After doing outdoor physical activity, children are 28x more likely to eat healthier foods. They’ll also feel more relaxed, get a workout – whether it’s their upper arms from... Read More

29/03/2021
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5 Benefits of Outdoor Learning in Early Years

The benefits of learning outside the classroom are endless. Being outside allows children to express themselves freely and unlike an indoor classroom, there aren’t any space constraints meaning children can jump, shout and explore to their hearts content. The sense of freedom playing outdoors brings is fantastic for a child’s development, both physically and mentally. The importance of outside play in early years can’t be underestimated and below are just some of the many benefits it offers to children: Encourages an Active Lifestyle Children who learn to play outdoors are... Read More

29/03/2021

Outdoor Play Benefits for Early Years

This article has been written by early years consultant, Anne Rodgers, from ATR Consultancy. What can children learn and experience outdoors? Children can learn and experience many things in the outdoor environment and being outdoors helps them to establish a healthy and active lifestyle. It offers children opportunities to use their bodies physically by engaging in activity with freedom of movement. This will help them to become confident in their abilities and support those children who learn best when outdoors or through activity and movement. Children will learn to run, climb,... Read More

29/03/2021

Tips and Tricks on Taking Maths Outdoors!

Taking learning outdoors can offer a whole host of benefits to children, from refreshing the learning environment to improving mental health and wellbeing. Thanks to these many benefits there is an increased demand for new and easy ways to make the transition from indoor learning to outdoor learning seamless. Read on for some of our tips and tricks on taking your maths lessons into the great outdoors. We have a wide range of versatile resources to not only switch up the classroom to outdoors, but for your little ones to... Read More

24/03/2021
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Make Time for Crafts

By John Hopley Creative Steps Editor & EYR Industry Expert. Arts & Crafts have tremendous benefits for the development of young children, and not just in a creative sense. You only have to look at the plethora of craft activities many turned to during ‘lockdown’ to realise the wider wellbeing benefits of creative pursuits, as highlighted by shows such as Grayson’s Art Club and Kirstie Allsopp’s ‘Lockdown Craft Club’. Creative activities for children are, of course, great for incorporating the Expressive Arts & Design element of the EYFS and the Exploration & Using Mixed Media &... Read More

12/03/2021
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Imaginative Play Supports Resilience

This article has been written by Jen Kinsman, EYR Industry Expert, mum of two, and youth theatre leader. In the below she shares her ideas on how imaginative play supports emotional resilience. For more from Jen, visit her Twitter or blog Raising2Children Have you ever felt drained, overwhelmed, or frustrated about a job and all you hear is, “you just need to be more resilient?” I’m glad to say evidence-based research can significantly change those opinions. Resilience is a skill we develop over time with the right kind of support.... Read More