New Releases by Sally Featherstone

Heuristic Play is a tightly described, but freely accessed activity, using a specific range of ''found'' or everyday objects, and, in its pure sense, is only really applicable to a specific age range (from 12 months to about two and a half). However, there is now plenty of evidence that heuristic play has continuing value for children throughout the Foundation Stage and well into the primary years. Collections of objects, carefully selected and offered in both adult-led and child-initiated sessions, indoors and outside, can build on the experience of treasure baskets In this informative and helpful book you will find further information on the process of using both treasure baskets and heuristic play with babies and young children. You will also find chapters which explore the benefits of heuristic play with objects for children throughout the early years from six months to seven years. Of course, the materials, the provision and the adult role will develop and change as children mature, so this book also gives guidance on how heuristic play itself should change to meet the needs of children at different stages of development.

Why is it that, when children play, some behave like butterflies, flitting around among the flowers of the activities on offer, landing for a moment before moving on to the next attractive flower (activity) while others behave with the single minded concentration of bees? As children grow and learn, they acquire skills through play and practical activities. This recently acquired learning is tenuous and is secured through practice, repeating the skills in different contexts, with different people. Only then will learning be ''hard wired'' for life. It is now evident that where children are able to select resources, play companions and activities for themselves, they can practise emerging skills and concepts by selecting the resources they need and using them in ways which are unique to them. This book, written by a group of experts in early years practice, explores the place and purpose of child-intitiated learning in high quality early years practice. Child-initiated learning is a key feature of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

The control of large and fine muscles and the ability to feel, copy and continue a steady beat are all essential for learning, and particularly for learning to read. Baby and Beyond Movement and Beat gives practitioners ideas for supporting the progression of these vital skills at all ages of development in the EYFS.Each page has a series of ''activity boxes'' that are labelled for each age group showing how each area can be approached by children at different stages of development. The format makes it easy to select the level of activity appropriate for each child making these books ideal for groups of mixed ages. When returning to the same areas later the practitioner can choose another activity to support progression and extend learning.

This book gives ideas for introducing and extending experiences of sound and music for babies and young children. Each page spread contains a range of experiences and a selection of ideas ffor each of the six stages in Development Matters (Revised EYFS 2012).The Baby&Beyond series takes simple activities or resources and shows how they can be used with children at each of the EYFS development stages, from birth to 60+ months. Each activity is laid out so that you can see progression at a glance.

This story explores how it feels to be a younger sibling. Written by early childhood experts, this picture book is designed to help children understand emotions and fears.

Max is excited as he gets ready for his first day at school - but he''s a bit worried too. Each time he starts to worry, Dad is there to reassure him. And in the end, it''s Dad who is left alone, as Max runs off to play with his best friend Yuka!

The ''50 Fantastic Things'' series is a no nonsense, ideas bank ... no frills, just 50 examples of great ideas already in practice Ideal for the busy practitioner they offer a a ''dip in'' approach to accessing ideas that they may not have thought of. Simple inspiring ideas is just what they need to reignite their enthusiasm.

The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework requires that practitioners forge positive relationships with parents and actively engage them in their children''s early learning experiences. The suggestions in this book aim to aid practitioners in their endeavors to make parents feel welcome, included and supported. Practitioners can dip into the book and choose simple ideas ranging from supporting parents during the induction period, involving them in curriculum development and helping them to support their children''s learning at home. Each idea comprises- a list of resources needed; step-by-step instructions on how put the idea into action; suggestions for how to extend the idea; and how the idea is beneficial to parents.

This is a new edition of Making It Work in Year 1, revised and updated.This book has been specially devised in response to the needs expressedby Reception and Year 1 teachers who are grappling with the complexityof transition. It deals with building on from children''s experiences inthe Foundation Stage into KS1. The approach is to focus on the individual,starting at the stage children have reached, rather than where adocument says they should be.

Carrying on in Key Stage 1 is written to help teachers continue key practical activities and child focused learning throughout Key Stage 1. The activities are easily mapped onto the National Curriculum Programmes of Study for this age group, which is included in short form within the book. With the child at the centre of the activities, the book offers many exciting suggestions for topic based work, following on from and building upon the work children have done in the Foundation Stage. There is a host of ideas for using everyday materials such as paper and wood, along with purpose-designed construction materials such as Lego. The tasks included in the book are active, varied and challenging - guaranteed to interest both boys and girls. Outdoor Play looks at different sorts of outdoor spaces and some resources to use in them, keeping a good balance between what must be bought and what can be obtained free. Activities include play, games, plants and animals, mark making and constructing dens

Fascination Traps introduces a series of situations for children to encounter and respond to. These scenarios are designed to inspire children''s imaginations and lead to learning through fascination. Photos and text are carefully chosen to inspire practitioners to use everyday materials, found objects, natural objects and simple stimuli to create indoor and outdoor scenarios. The book is a unique, yet practical approach to encouraging children to respond to what they see, hear, smell, touch and feel; children are encouraged to react to surprises and conundrums by expressing their ideas, thoughts and feelings.

A wealth of great ideas for parents or carers of toddlers.

A wealth of great ideas for parents or carers of four and five year olds.

The DSCF are pushing for the Letter and Sounds initiative to cover the whole 0-5 age range and this series answers that remit! These four books are differentiated to meet the particular developmental stages of the framework and clearly linked to the developmental statements, so they can be used in all sorts of schools and settings. They offer appropriate activities in four age bands, closely matched to the EYFS, and giving children a thorough grounding in the essential skills they need to become good readers.

Following the success of the Little Book of Investigations, this book goes one step further in size, scale and scope. It covers explorations indoors, outside and in the local community, from the water in the tap, the dust on the floor, the mud in the garden, to exploring connections, constructions and other early technological experiments. Topics include the natural world, minibeasts, weather, growth, change over time and making changes to materials and the environment. The inventive activities will all also provide opportunities for children to sustain their thinking with other children and adults while using the skills of observation and experiment. Like all the other titles in this series, The Little Book of Explorations is packed with practical advice for early learning practitioners. The activities are carefully planned to reflect the latest thinking in education for young children. Little Books are particularly suitable for use between 36 and 60+ months.

Offers practical advice to parents and carers wanting to guide and support young children who are troubled or distressed.

Role Play is an important part of every child''s entitlement. This book guides you in planning, stimulating and organising role play inside and out. It discusses why role play is important. It presents activities suitable for a range of role play situations. It includes ideas for materials, equipment and locations.

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Making books and cards is a familiar activity in the early years, but the results often lack real creativity and individuality. This book shows how young children can make their own books, cards and letters, using familiar materials in a creative and individual way, so the recipient or reader gets something truly unique! As well as producing some wonderful results, children will experience activities that develop fine motor skills, concentration and creativity, working on their own or with friends. Little Books are packed with advice and ideas for working in Early Years settings, particularly with children aged between 3 and 6 years. They are carefully planned to meet the objectives for each stage of development and reflect the latest thinking on the education of young children. Little Books make an excellent start to an exciting journey through learning.

Another title in this inspiring series to support role play andimaginative work in the EYFS and Key Stage 1. This project book tellsthestory of what it''s like to run a shop in photographs and provides awealth of resources and ideas for teachers. The accompanying CDcontains the photo story plusadditional stunning, high resolution photographs and imagesthat can be printed, projected or used with an interactive whiteboard.Also included is a wealth of resources such as posters, activity sheetsand background images all available to print out in black and white orcolour.

If Publications develop knowledge and understanding of the world and stimulate creative thinking in role play by asking children ''What If?'' Each What If? pack consists of a CD ROM and guidance booklet. The CD contains stunning, high resolution photographs and images which can be printed, projected or used with an interactive white board, plus support resources: * detailed drawings of a key character with their clothing and equipment * picture environments to stimulate play * illustrations of vehicles and machinery * lists, templates and writing frames * maps and posters * labels, badges and games to play * a linked story told in a slide show with original photographs and music * guidance booklet * high resolution photographs and images to stimulate talking and play Each What if kit consists of a CD RoM and guidance booklet. The CD contains lots of lively, exciting photographs and images which can be printed, projected, or used with an interactive whiteboard. Each CD also includes an introduction to the play, plus support resources - lists, labels, writing frames, backgrounds, borders, maps, pictures, etc. Practitioners will have their own ideas for using these inspirational materials, and the booklet provides additional ideas and guidance. The aim is to stimulate talking and thinking, and to provide a base for creative role play.

If Publications develop knowledge and understanding of the world and stimulate creative thinking in role play by asking children ''What If?'' Each What If? pack consists of a CD ROM and guidance booklet. The CD contains stunning, high resolution photographs and images which can be printed, projected or used with an interactive white board, plus support resources: * detailed drawings of a key character with their clothing and equipment * picture environments to stimulate play * illustrations of vehicles and machinery * lists, templates and writing frames * maps and posters * labels, badges and games to play * a linked story told in a slide show with original photographs and music * guidance booklet * high resolution photographs and images to stimulate talking and play Each What if kit consists of a CD RoM and guidance booklet. The CD contains lots of lively, exciting photographs and images which can be printed, projected, or used with an interactive whiteboard. Each CD also includes an introduction to the play, plus support resources - lists, labels, writing frames, backgrounds, borders, maps, pictures, etc. Practitioners will have their own ideas for using these inspirational materials, and the booklet provides additional ideas and guidance. The aim is to stimulate talking and thinking, and to provide a base for creative role play.

''Little Baby Books'' are a series written by two early years specialists to help those working with under 3''s to put the advice in ''Birth to Three Matters'' into practice. Activities in each book are presented in four age groups suitable for different ages and stages.

These New Baby Books are a reorganisation of the Material in the original series of 16 Baby Books. They have been divided in a different way. Sixteen Books have become four organised by developmental stage. Each page gives step-by-step instructions, tips and plenty of further ideas for children ready for more. They offer practical ideas on differentiation for young babies with special needs as well as tips on what to look and listen for. The experiences suggested in this book will help young children to grow and develop through a range of planned and informal activities.

These New Baby Books are a reorganisation of the Material in the original series of 16 Baby Books. They have been divided in a different way. Sixteen Books have become four organised by developmental stage. Each page gives step-by-step instructions, tips and plenty of further ideas for children ready for more. They offer practical ideas on differentiation for young babies with special needs as well as tips on what to look and listen for. The experiences suggested in this book will help young children to grow and develop through a range of planned and informal activities.

These New Baby Books are a reorganisation of the Material in the original series of 16 Baby Books. They have been divided in a different way. Sixteen Books have become four organised by developmental stage. Each page gives step-by-step instructions, tips and plenty of further ideas for children ready for more. They offer practical ideas on differentiation for young babies with special needs as well as tips on what to look and listen for. The experiences suggested in this book will help young children to grow and develop through a range of planned and informal activities.

These New Baby Books are a reorganisation of the Material in the original series of 16 Baby Books. They have been divided in a different way. Sixteen Books have become four organised by developmental stage. Each page gives step-by-step instructions, tips and plenty of further ideas for children ready for more. They offer practical ideas on differentiation for young babies with special needs as well as tips on what to look and listen for. The experiences suggested in this book will help young children to grow and develop through a range of planned and informal activities.

These New Baby Books are a reorganisation of the Material in the original series of 16 Baby Books. They have been divided in a different way. Sixteen Books have become four organised by developmental stage. Each page gives step-by-step instructions, tips and plenty of further ideas for children ready for more. They offer practical ideas on differentiation for young babies with special needs as well as tips on what to look and listen for. The experiences suggested in this book will help young children to grow and develop through a range of planned and informal activities.