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Establishing valuable bonds with young children is at the heart of early education and care practice. The importance of the adult’s position in the space, as a role model and safe space cannot be undervalued.

It is important to remember that every child is unique and, as such, develops in their own unique ways. How can we support children’s personal development?

Every child is different. Every child is unique. We’re going to look at what we mean by an ‘enabling environment’ within early education and care,

Moving from nursery to school is a big step for young children and their parents. It’s an exciting time, but it can also bring challenges. By creating a supportive environment and encouraging open conversations, practitioners can help ease worries, answer questions, and provide practical guidance. This activity is designed to make the transition to school smoother and more reassuring for everyone involved.

There are a variety of transitions we experience on a daily basis, so many that the list goes on and on… let’s take a closer look at how common, everyday transitions differ, so we can appropriately support children’s experiences throughout their early education and care.  

Professionals working with young children all hold a responsibility to support children to develop in a safe and happy especially when it comes to feelings of security and mental wellness.  

Children create a bright, colourful star-shaped suncatcher to celebrate someone special in their life. The star symbolises how their special person lights up their world - whether that’s a dad, mum, grandparent, carer, or another important person. This activity offers a colourful way to celebrate love that’s adaptable, inclusive, and enjoyable.

Smooth transitions between activities help young children to feel secure, stay engaged and develop self-regulation. With clear cues and supportive routines, practitioners can turn potentially challenging moments into opportunities for learning and independence. 

Self-regulation strategies are promoted throughout a child’s entire educational journey, but it’s important to trace back the roots to where this all begins, to manage and sustain effective emotional management with maximum impact. Just as we wouldn’t expect a child to intuitively know their letters and sounds, it shouldn’t be expected that children have the tools to respond to the ever-changing spectrum of emotions we experience daily.

Moving from nursery to school is a significant milestone for young children. Every child experiences this transition differently, so it’s important to observe and respond to their emotions, acknowledging their individual needs. Offering personalised support can help make the process smoother and more positive. Here are some helpful tips to guide the transition.

Understanding self-regulation with young children and understand how it plays an unparalleled part in supporting healthy, well-rounded development and wellbeing for children.

In this article, we'll explore what infant mental health is, why it’s important and how we, as professionals, can foster a healthy emotional environment for young children in our care.  

Self-regulation refers to the ways we recognise and manage our emotions to improve self-control, and minimise impulsive and irrational behaviour. It’s about catching our feelings before they catch us!