In episode 7 of the TTS Talking Early Years Podcast, Alice Sharp is joined by Simon Airey to explore how a play-based approach to learning in the Early Years enriches and extends a child’s vocabulary.  

Simon and Alice touch on the impact the pandemic has had on children’s language and how there is a greater need for additional support in settings across the UK and internationally. Sharing their own experiences of developing children’s language through play-based learning, Alice and Simon suggest practical and inspiring ways to support children’s language development and why tuning into the children’s own individual and additional needs is so vital when engaging children in role-play scenarios.

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Alice Sharp is joined by Simon Airey, an educator with over 20 years’ experience of teaching, working in specialist provision and the EYFS. In this episode, Alice and Simon explore the language opportunities beyond the setting and how educators can tap into the children’s unique experiences to enhance language development. 

Simon explains the power of forging strong relationships with all parties, right from the practitioner to the child, to the parents and carers. Reflecting on his teaching experiences, Simon shares that by developing deeper connections with all those involved, we better understand the child’s capabilities and genuine interests which in return helps shape and scaffold more meaningful learning experiences.

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(The views expressed throughout this podcast are the speakers' own, and TTS does not take responsibility for the views and guidance highlighted as part of this recording.) 

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Alice Sharp is joined by Simon Airey, an educator with over 20 years’ experience of teaching, working in specialist provision and the EYFS. Simon is passionate about facilitating open-ended play-based learning to develop key skills and shares his thoughts on why role play is essential to language development in the Early Years. 

Alice and Simon strip the conversation right back to the basics, looking at what role play is, the different types of role play and practical ways to engage children in this type of learning to develop key skills. 

Simon explains the importance of discovering the child’s interests and using this as the foundations for learning to spark imaginations and excitement.

During this episode of the TTS Talking Early Years Podcast, Alice Sharp and Olivia Kirkby talk all things resources. Olivia shares the importance of open-ended resources in the Early Years and the learning opportunities these physical resources support. 

Providing open-ended, cross-curricular resources can enhance cognitive skills, language, self-regulation and self-discovery. Olivia explains that by using open-ended resources to support play-based learning enables children to learn new words and engage in back-and-forth conversations with one another. 

Olivia adds that when practitioners share their excitement towards the resources and environment, the children are likely to be more engaged (and share the same excitement!). Simply adding one or two new cross-curricular resources can benefit all areas of continuous provision and all areas of development in the EYFS.

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(The views expressed throughout this podcast are the speakers' own, and TTS does not take responsibility for the views and guidance highlighted as part of this recording.) 

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During this episode of the TTS Talking Early Years Podcast, Alice Sharp and Olivia Kirkby explore the importance of quality interactions in the Early Years and the role practitioners must play in encouraging these interactions. 

 From open-ended questions, positive reinforcement to practitioners self-evaluating and reflecting on their own communication, Olivia and Alice suggest various practical ways to achieve quality and effective interactions that will form the foundations for language and cognitive development.

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(The views expressed throughout this podcast are the speakers' own, and TTS does not take responsibility for the views and guidance highlighted as part of this recording.) 

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During this episode of the TTS Talking Early Years Podcast, Alice Sharp and Olivia Kirkby continue the conversation on creating enticing, language-rich learning environments. This week, Alice and Olivia focus on exploring the emotional environment. 

How do we create safe, secure and cosy places for play-based learning? And why is the emotional environment so integral to children’s learning and development in the Early Years? Alice and Olivia reflect on these questions and so much more to provide valuable insights, tips and guidance to help you create warm, safe and impactful learning environments.

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Welcome to Series 2 of the TTS Talking Early Years Podcast! In this very first episode Alice Sharp (podcast host) is joined by TTS’ very own Early Years Consultant, Olivia Kirkby, to talk all things Early Years. 

Alice and Olivia explore the role of the physical environment and why creating an enticing physical space is so important. Olivia explains that reflective practice is key in creating an enabling environment. When you enter a room in your setting, how does the space make you feel? How do the children interact with you, their peers and the resources within the space?

Room analysing, peer-on-peer observations, continuously reflecting on each area of your provision and making improvements based on what you observe will help promote a language-rich environment.

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This episode of the TTS Talking Early Years podcast wraps up what has been a jam-packed series 1; discovering the wonderful world of outdoor learning. In this final episode of series 1, Alistair and guests, Mel Mcree and Sarah Lawfull, jump right back into the topic of Forest School and why it’s so important. 

Alistair Bryce-Clegg asks Mel and Sarah the million-dollar question; in an Instagram and Pinterest-dominated world, what exactly is the REALITY of Forest School and why is this reality so important? 

Sarah and Mel talk about the importance of Forest School activities being led by the child’s genuine interests, but also finding the right balance of educators sharing their own competency, passion, and skills to enrich and scaffold children’s learning in the great outdoors.

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Episode 19 of the TTS Talking Early Years podcast continues the conversation about all things Forest School. Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined again by renowned Forest School experts and advocates, Mel McCree and Sarah d Sarah Lawfull. 

Research and evidence show that the Forest School approach actively develops children’s risk awareness and confidence in managing their own risk-taking abilities. Although it is such an integral part of early years education, we know it can sometimes be a daunting approach to adopt, especially in a risk-averse society. 

Sharing their knowledge and experience with us, Mel and Sarah discuss the role of the adult vs the child when adopting the Forest School approach and how Forest School promotes safe opportunities for children to take appropriate and managed risks.

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In this TTS Talking podcast episode, Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined by renowned Forest School experts, Mel McCree and Sarah Lawfull. 

Sharing their knowledge and passion for everything Forest School, Sarah and Mel share their tips and guidance to help practitioners develop their confidence when taking children’s learning outdoors and why the Forest School approach is an integral part of early childhood. 

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(The views expressed throughout this podcast are the speakers' own, and TTS does not take responsibility for the views and guidance highlighted as part of this recording.) 

Please note: When referencing the speakers views, theory and work for development of your own materials, please ensure academic reference of the speaker is cited.