Ruth Lue-Quee is joined again by Shardi Vaziri, to discuss building strategies to create an inclusive indoor environment. Shardi highlights how designing an accessible classroom helps with children’s independence and supports their overall learning journey. The conversation highlights the need for practitioners to be mindful of how children approach and interact with as space, citing the need for clear labelling of classroom equipment, so the essentials are easy to find independent of an adult. 

Shardi shares practical strategies for promoting an inclusive indoor environment in early years settings, such as the inclusion of steps to help children access equipment, or allowing space for children with additional needs, so they have opportunities to reach what they need to learn too. By stepping back and observing the classroom from a child’s perspective, changes can be easily made. This episode offers valuable takeaways for educators, encouraging them to be enablers of inclusive indoor environments, which are essential for children’s overall well-being and development. 

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Ruth Lue-Quee is joined by Shardi Vaziri, an Early Years specialist, writer, and consultant, to discuss the importance of creating inclusive environments within the Early Years. Shardi explains the different types of Early Years settings and how to create inclusive spaces to support children in their learning and development, particularly those who may not yet be at age related expectations. 

Shardi shares valuable insights for practitioners working with children with SEN, discussing how important a well-thought-out environment can be for young learners. By creating a holistic environment, practitioners can plan to support a range of needs both in and out the classroom. This episode ultimately encourages practitioners to deepen their understanding of learning spaces and put new ideas into their practice to help children thrive. 

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Ruth Lue-Quee is joined by Helen Battelley for a final episode, to explore the concept of the "third teacher" and its impact on children's development. The episode highlights how the environment, often considered the "third teacher", plays an important role in fostering physical, emotional, and cognitive development in young children. Helen shares insights into how educators can create rich, inclusive, and play-based environments that allow children to develop confidence, physical skills, and creativity. 

The conversation touches on various types of play, and stresses the importance of facilitating these experiences without adult over-intervention. Helen encourages early years practitioners to view their settings through a child’s eyes and make small adjustments to ensure all children, including those with SEN, can access and benefit from these environments. The episode is a reminder to educators to slow down, allow children to explore at their own pace, and create opportunities for play for lifelong learning and development. 

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In this episode, host Ruth Lue-Quee is joined by Helen Battelley to discuss the eight senses. Expanding beyond the traditional five senses - Helen introduces the vestibular, proprioceptive, and interoceptive systems, and their crucial roles in children's physical, social, and emotional development.  

Practitioners are encouraged to incorporate a variety of movement activities into their settings to hone the three additional senses, helping children to develop body awareness, spatial navigation, and recognise internal bodily signals. This episode offers practical strategies and insights for early years practitioners dedicated to supporting the holistic development of children in their care. Be sure to tune in for valuable guidance and inspiration! 

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Ruth Lue-Quee is joined again by Helen Battelley, to discuss the key role practitioners play in supporting children's movement and growth. Helen highlights how educators’ behaviours and attitudes can directly influence children's development, as young children tend to mirror the adults around them. She emphasises the need for practitioners to be mindful of their actions and language, ensuring they create positive and encouraging environments for children to thrive physically and emotionally. 

Helen shares practical strategies for promoting movement in early years settings, such as removing unnecessary chairs, encouraging play, and creating physical activity policies. By making small adjustments, practitioners can create environments that encourage children to explore, take positive risks, and develop both gross and fine motor skills. This episode offers valuable takeaways for educators, encouraging them to be enablers of movement and physical activity, which are essential for children’s overall well-being and development. 

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Ruth Lue-Quee is joined by Helen Battelley, expert in early childhood physical development, to discuss the critical role of reflexes and their impact on development. Helen explains the difference between primitive and postural reflexes, and how delays can affect children’s physical and emotional development. They highlight how early years practitioners can identify these delays and support children through targeted activities like tactile play and gross motor exercises. 

Helen also shares valuable insights for practitioners working with children with SEN, discussing how challenges with reflexes can manifest in behaviours like anxiety or sensitivity to sounds. By recognising these signs, practitioners can implement movement-based strategies to support development. This episode ultimately encourages practitioners to deepen their understanding of reflexes and incorporate purposeful activities into their practice to help children thrive. 

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In this episode, Ruth Lue-Quee and Andre Imich discuss whether the Early Years sector is adequately equipped to support children with SEN. They highlight that the volume of children needing attention often surpasses the available support, particularly in areas like speech and language therapy. While there is strong ambition to improve, the sector still faces challenges with providing the right level of support and ensuring consistency, especially with the increasing use of agency staff. 

Ruth and Andre outline key areas for improvement, including having a robust Early Years curriculum, sufficient staffing, effective communication with parents, and strong liaison with specialists. Despite these challenges, they also discuss the positives and the potential for a flexible, supportive future for SEN in the Early Years sector.  

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In this episode, Ruth Lue-Quee and Andre Imich delve into the complexities of supporting children with multiple types of SEN in the early years. They explain that most children with SEN have more than one need, such as a child with hearing impairment also facing speech and language challenges. Understanding these co-occurring needs is essential, as conditions like autism can involve a range of issues that require specific interventions. 

Ruth and Andre offer practical strategies for practitioners, noting that many approaches benefit all children, not just those with SEN. They suggest creating orderly, predictable environments and providing consistent responses to support learning. They also emphasise the importance of keeping thorough records, using multi-sensory teaching methods, and adapting to different learning styles. Their key takeaway is to focus on play and utilise basic strategies like repetition and varied learning opportunities to aid all children’s development. 

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Host Ruth Lue-Quee is joined again by SEN expert Andre Imich as they discuss identifying SEN needs in Early Years. In this episode, they explore how to balance developmental expectations with a child’s individual needs, and the benefits of adapting the curriculum to support them better.  

Ruth and Andre share practical tips for identifying SEN, such as paying attention to how children communicate non-verbally, how they play, and their behaviour. They stress the importance of working closely with parents and using a clear process to address concerns. They also encourage practitioners to seek help from specialists when needed, and keep communication open with parents and support services.  

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Ruth Lue-Quee kicks off this new series with expert guest André Imich, as they dive into the complexities of Special Education Needs in the Early Years. With over a decade of experience as the SEN and Disability Professional Adviser for the DfE, Andre brings a wealth of knowledge on identifying and supporting children with SEN. 

Ruth and Andre discuss what SEN truly means in an Early Years context, address common misconceptions, and the challenges settings face with the rise in SEN needs over the past few years. They also explore the resources available to practitioners, and whether a formal diagnosis is needed to access help.

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