Useful Websites
1: Introduction to holistic development
This website has some excellent in-depth investigations of aspects of ‘quality’ in the Early Years, from practitioners and pedagogy to home-based care and service integration. It is a good reference document for students, with sections on practice and policy too. It can be downloaded from the Sutton Trust.
www.suttontrust.com/researcharchive/sound-foundations/
2: Personal, social and emotional development
The connected baby website presents the science behind and reasons for good connections from birth. There is a range of free articles and research on this site, as well as courses, books and films that you can purchase.
The Forestry Commission England has some excellent ideas for things to do in the woods, from using stepping logs and a play path through the trees, to exploring and using your imagination in the roots of trees that have fallen over or planting willow dens. Find lots more information, including details of live events, at their website.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is an American, professional membership organisation that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, from birth through to age eight, by connecting early childhood practice, policy and research. There is a number of interesting publications, as well as professional development opportunities, on this comprehensive site.
The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) supports parents by giving them accurate, impartial information, so that they can decide what’s best for their family.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) gives guidance, advice and information services for health, public health and social care professionals. It is a great site for information on wellbeing as well as physical health.
This site hosts free webinars on a range of early childhood subjects by well-known speakers. These are regularly updated.
3: Physical development
The website of the American Physical Therapy Association has a vast range of information about physical development for all ages. Search for ‘baby’ to get the most relevant birth-to-three information, including details of ‘containers’.
Information about the Smiles4Children project (2016) run by 4Children. www.foundationyears.org.uk/files/2016/12/Toothbrushing-Report.pdf
Free, up-to-date information from Public Health England on targeted toothbrushing and more.
This is a webpage from Johnson’s that shows some techniques for baby massage for different-aged babies and young children, including illustrations:
www.johnsonsbaby.co.uk/baby-massage/newborn-massage-guide
The World Health Organization (WHO) has a huge range of health-related articles and information to keep children healthy and well, from immunisations to disaster responses.
4: Language development
The Literacy Trust has an excellent set of resources, projects and research on its website, which include many ideas for babies.
There is lots of information about the benefits of singing and language development on the British Council website.
There is information on singing with children in general if you visit the Kodaly website.
You can find out more information about speech, language and communication needs from both of these charities.
iCan: www.ican.org.uk
Afasic: www.afasic.org.uk
5: Play and holistic development
The play cycle is a way of describing a child's play process, used mainly by play workers to better understand children’s play and how play can be supported. More information and a description of the play cycle can be found here.
www.surreycc.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/childcare-professionals/playworkers/the-theory-of-play
For a much more in-depth analysis, this offers an excellent literature review. While it is written for play workers, it has some excellent links and resources about play.
www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/10/6809/5
The Association of Play Industries (API) has a number of good publications for the birth-to-three age range and older. There are practical ideas (such as building a new play area), community links and the All Party Parliamentary Group’s report, Fit & Healthy Childhood: The Early Years.
6: Early mathematical development
The Komodo Math website has useful information about young children’s mathematical development and is written in clear language that is suitable for sharing with parents and carers.
This website has some useful activity ideas for young children that are linked to the development of mathematical concepts.
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/sites/brighton-hove.gov.uk/files/Mathematics%20Guidelines.pdf
7: Cognitive development
Hear some of the experiments that Alison Gopnik has done with babies and young children: ‘Babies and young children are like the R&D division of the human species’. Her research explores the sophisticated intelligence gathering and decision making that babies are really doing when they play.
8: Special Educational Needs
The Foundation Years website has links to many Special Educational Needs and Disabilities resources, such as case studies, as well as links to the most up-to-date information from the Department of Education (DfE).
www.foundationyears.org.uk/?s=SEND
The Special Needs Jungle website has many articles, information and case studies for parents that are also useful for practitioners. It is an excellent source of information about rare diseases and syndromes.
The National Deaf Children’s Society offers practical information, as well as family support, events and news.
9: Suitable physical environments
GM Under 5s, part of Greater Sport, aims to help young children aged zero to five have the best active start in life, with physical literacy prioritised as a central feature. There is a whole range of tried-and-tested physical activities and ideas.
www.greatersport.co.uk/get-active/gm-under-527s
This international website, dedicated to Early Years development, has an excellent library section, with up-to-date research, journal and free articles.
The Natural Posture Solutions website has research, graphics and free articles explaining how posture and good alignment are essential from birth. Kathleen Porter’s articles give clear, well-described solutions for poor posture and alignment.
10: Effective partnerships
The Reggio Emilia Approach is recognised for its collaboration and co-construction of knowledge.
Megan Beren’s research showed that, even though training on same-sex families was clearly needed, most teachers had not received training or development. The full research document is available online.
www.learninglandscapes.ca/images/documents/ll-no13/beren.pdf
Family Lives is a website offering advice on all aspects of parenting.
www.familylives.org.uk/advice/your-family/parenting/parenting-in-same-sex-relationships/
The 1001 Critical Days manifesto highlights the importance of intervening early in the 1,001 critical days between conception and age two to enhance outcomes for children.
11: What does the future hold?
The European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) website hosts the Digital Childhoods – Special Interest Group, where they make available the latest publications, books, journals and conferences.
www.eecera.org/sigs/digital-childhoods/
The National Forum for Neuroscience in Special Education is dedicated to sharing insights into the latest research and increasing dialogue around special education. Their latest research is available on the NAHT website.
The Family and Childcare Trust website is excellent for up-to-the-minute information on policy, research, business information, training and parent information. www.familyandchildcaretrust.org/