Articles with Tips and advice from Is It Time To Play.
Have you been sat with a blank planning grid in front of you, for what feels like hours, trying to decide “what to plan” for next year? Maybe you are feeling confusion about which approach is best? Or perhaps you’re still scratching your head at the DfE saying “plan your own curriculum”? I hear you! … Read more
The end of term is busy, in fact it’s manic!! But finding the time to have a high quality and gentle transition process eases anxiety for everyone! Here’s my top tips for getting the most out of your new reception class’ move up days. Transition to Reception is a process and not a single event … Read more
Time to move on to Key Stage One: What to expect and how to support your child in Year One It might seem like it was only five minutes since you were standing at the school gates waving your little one off to school for the very first time, while simultaneously wiping away tears of … Read more
In the last week I have read three mainstream media articles about phonics “failing” primary school pupils. I wanted to dig deeper, is it phonics failing children or the system? Reading in the Early Years is crucial to developing a wide range of skills and is the new DfE focus on phonics narrowing the curriculum? … Read more
Medium term EYFS planning has always been very personal and linked to your own pedagogy. Since the introduction of the EYFS 2021 there is a chance to seize the opportunity to try something different. In the EYFS there is such a huge variety of teaching pedagogies . As teachers we are constantly reviewing and adapting … Read more
The EYFS has changed… but has this changed your own personal planning? Are you continuing with what you know or seizing the opportunity to try something a bit different. Where do I start? For me, planning always starts with the learning environment. The continuous provision… thinking about what is always available to engage the children … Read more
I have been a advocate of structured play based learning in the classroom for many years, in both the EYFS and beyond. So imagine when I heard this recently… “In Reception they just play. Children in Year One have to be doing more formal, focused work.” Hold on…! Stop the bus a minute…! Just playing? … Read more
Continuous or Enhanced Provision? For me… ⭐️ Continuous Provision refers to the resources and learning areas that are available all the time. ⭐️ Enhancements are things that you add into those areas to promote engagement, link to a theme or book or as a way of addressing identified needs or areas of focus. An example … Read more
The changes to planning, assessment and observation for the EYFS 2021 have got me reflecting on how we will be approaching next year… I had my first planning meeting in preparation for next year this week. Lots of changes afoot for us (change in class dynamic to Reception/ Year 1 alongside the EYFS reforms). I … Read more
With offers day having been and gone, and September fast approaching, many parents (and children) are beginning to feel anxious about the move to “big school”! For the last 8 years, I have been a Reception Class Teacher- the smiley face at the gate, telling parents it will all be fine and your children have … Read more