Support For Parents
Communication, Speech & Language
The development of children’s spoken language underpins all seven areas of learning and development. Children’s back-and-forth interactions from an early age form the foundations for language and cognitive development.
The number and quality of the conversations they have with adults and peers throughout the day in a language-rich environment is crucial. By commenting on what children are interested in or doing, and echoing back what they say with new vocabulary added, practitioners will build children’s language effectively.
Reading frequently to children, and engaging them actively in stories, non-fiction, rhymes and poems, and then providing them with extensive opportunities to use and embed new words in a range of contexts, will give children the opportunity to thrive.
Through conversation, storytelling and role play, where children share their ideas with support and modelling from their teacher, and sensitive questioning that invites them to elaborate, children become comfortable using a rich range of vocabulary and language structures.
(Source – Development Matters 2021)
Physical Development – Every Movement Counts
It is important for your child to be physically active and to eat well. Children learn through their bodies. Every time they move, their brains build connections.
- Young children need lots of physical activity to develop their balance, posture and coordination. These are the foundations that will help your child to be physically ready to sit still and concentrate.
- Physical activity encourages the development of hand eye coordination for reading and writing.
- When your child is active, they are learning about their bodies and what they can do. They are also learning about social rules and (SOURCE – WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE EARLY YEARS)
Also remember that physical activities can also have the following benefits to children in their other areas of development:
- Physical activities, particularly ‘heavy work’ (lifting, pulling etc) activities can really help children who struggle with emotional regulation.
- Physical activity can also help children break cycles of anxiety, develop new skills and self-esteem and self-confidence.
HELP CHILDREN TO CELEBRATE WHAT OUR BODIES CAN DO!!
Online safety
Thinkuknow is the education programme from NCA-CEOP, a UK organisation that protects children both online and offline.
What to Expect in the Early Years
New EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum)
Information for Parents.
Oral health
We need to look after our teeth just like we look after the rest of our body.
Do you know how to keep your teeth healthy?
Mental Health & Well-being
Things that can help keep children and young adults mentally well include:
- Being in good physical health, eating a balanced diet and being physically active
- Having time and freedom to play, both indoors and outdoors
- Being part of a family that gets along well most of the time, here they feel loved, trusted, safe and secure
- Going to a school that looks after its pupils’ wellbeing, again by supporting them to feel trusted, safe and secure
- Taking part in local activities, clubs and groups and feeling part of a community
Links to information supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing:
Safeguarding our Children - cultivating a safeguarding culture
Child sexual abuse is a reality for thousands of children across our country.
But we can all play a part in protecting children and getting them the right help.
Meal times
A very useful link from the ‘Health for Under 5’s’ website and has been referenced on the DCFP website (Devon Children and Families Partnership) from which we take valuable and useful information to help support our children and families around their health and safeguarding.
Potty training and toilet training
ERIC has broken down the potty training process into three easy-to-follow steps: preparation, practice and perfecting those skills! Follow their step-by-step guide to help your toddler become independently toilet trained.