Useful Websites

Chapter by chapter list of useful websites which include valuable information, resources and media that are both educational and entertaining for your learning experience.

Chapter 1: The emergence of Early Childhood Studies: an historic overview

Title: How we protect children’s rights: With the UN convention on the rights of the child

Explanation: This website gives a more detailed overview of the United Nations Convention for the Rights on the Rights of the Child. (UNCRC). It is the most complete statement of children’s rights ever produced and is the most widely-ratified international human rights treaty in history. It is worth exploring this further as only limited reference is given in the chapter.

Title: Human nature and the blank slate

Explanation: In the 2003 TED talk Steven Pinker argues that all humans are born with some innate traits. He presents a talk about his thesis which resulted in the publication of his book "The Blank Slate".  Some of the ideas he put forward caused some people to be quite upset. An interesting and fascinating talk that informs as well as challenges thinking.

Title: Early child development

Explanation: This website gives links to publications and research based projects. It recognises the early childhood period as one of the most important phases in life. It also gives a larger global understanding of the concept of childhood - that it is a diverse concept and linked to cultural, social and economic factors. Whilst much is linked to health there is a recognition of the social determinants that impact on children and childhood.

Chapter 2: The brain and children’s early development

Title: Brain Development

Explanation: This website provides a number of multimedia resources for helping early childhood professionals and parents use knowledge from neuroscience to nurture young children’s healthy development.

Title: The Beginning of Life

Explanation: Drawing upon findings from neuroscience “The Beginning of Life” is a documentary series exploring how the environment affects young children’s development. The series documents the early lives of children across a number of countries and features interviews with specialists from the fields of neuroscience and child development. It is available through various video-on-demand platforms including Netflix and iTunes.

Title: How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime

Explanation: In this TED talk Nadine Burke Harris (paediatrician) explains how prolonged stress in childhood affects children’s developing brains and bodies. With reference to the ACE study, she discusses how early adversity dramatically affects health across the lifespan, to the point where those who’ve experienced high levels of trauma are at triple the risk for heart disease and lung cancer.

Title: 1001 Critical Days: The Importance of the Conception to Age Two Period

Explanation: The UK’s first cross-party children’s manifesto outlining why the first 1001 days of life are ‘critical’ for ’increasing children’s life chances’

Chapter 3: Children as thinkers: Philosophy for Children

Title: Philosophy for Children: Evaluation report and Executive summary

Explanation: This research report shows the findings from a 4 year study into 50 schools that showed the impact of P4C on children's' verbal and reasoning skills as well as their listening and communication skills.

Title: Philosophy is a right

Explanation: In this TEDx talk, Dr Blease argues that children should be taught how to be philosophically (critically) aware about ideas, arguments, and different ways of viewing the world.

Title: Creating philosophical worlds in the classroom

Explanation: Sarah Stanley's website offers a wealth of resources for integrating P4C in the early years.

Title: SAPERE

Explanation: SAPERE's website provides information on useful resources and training opportunities in P4C.

Chapter 4: Children as learners: multimodal perspectives on play and learning

Title: What is Multimodal Research?

Explanation: A useful introduction to Multimodal discourse analysis from Professor Carey Jewitt of the Institute of Education, London.

Title: Dr. Karen Wohlwend

Explanation: Her personal website provides further information on Karen Wohlwend’s work and publications.

Chapter 5: Creativity, curiosity and resilience

Title: Do schools kill creativity?

Explanation: In this TED talk Ken Robinson explores the impact of the education system on creativity and how specific types of creativity are not valued.

Title: Te Whāriki

Explanation: This link is to the Te Whāriki early childhood sociocultural curriculum of New Zealand.

Chapter 6: Children as communicators: peers and others

Title: Talking Point

Explanation: This website reports that it is ‘the first stop for information on children’s communication’ and is particularly useful for information on ages and stages. The website has helpful details for children from birth through to 17 years old and gives information on what you should expect children within each age bracket to be doing and how you can support their development further.

Title: Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists

Explanation: The website of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists has information and publications of how to help children who have additional needs with regards to communicating. Under the tab entitled ‘clinical resources’ there is a wealth of information on various disabilities that can impact on speech and language. This site would be of particular interest to those working with children who have special needs.

Title: A word game to communicate in any language

Explanation: This TED talk gives an explanation into how children who struggle to communicate can be helped.  It also will allow you to consider, in more detail, how children learn to communicate and the processes that need to be undertaken when doing something as simple as talking.

Title: Every Child a Talker: Guidance for Early Language Lead Practitioners

Explanation: This PDF is a government produced guide for the ‘Every Child A Talker’ campaign that was introduced in England in 2011 as a result of the Bercow review (2008). Although it is not a current publication it contains some useful activities, some very good ideas and suggestions and would be useful to apply to early years practice.

Title: Speech and Language Difficulties

Explanation: This web page would be good to show to parents if they had concerns. The BBC have explained things very clearly and have listed some good ideas for helping and supporting children with their communication.

Chapter 7: Children’s friendships

Title: Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage

Explanation: The EYFS sets out the standards for learning for children aged 0-5, which all schools and early years providers must follow. The EYFS notes the importance of play in children’s social learning and development.

Chapter 8: Children within the family context

Title: Working together to safeguard children

Explanation: This report sets out the statutory guidance on inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

Chapter 9: 'Supporting’ play

Title: Manifesto for children's Play in Wales

Explanation: This manifesto was developed to persuade politicians of the benefits of play and to have an influence over policy. It gives a brief overview of the wider benefits of play for children and their families as well as the wider community. It is also interesting to also read this in conjunction with the work of 'Play England'.

Title: The importance of play

Explanation: This film features national play experts Sue Palmer and Tim Gill. Different aspects of play are set out: exploratory play vs. representational play; the role of play in the development of fine- and gross-motor skills; the links between play and speech and language; the difference between adult- and child-led play.

Title: Children speaking about the importance of play

Explanation: Early Childhood Ireland and Toy Industries of Europe (TIE) ask children what they think about play. The children give some interesting perspectives for anyone thinking about play from a theoretical perspective.

Title: Children’s experiences of the early years foundation stage

Explanation: Researchers worked with 146 children aged between 3 and 5 in different types of early years settings across four local authorities in England. Children spoke about their perceptions of play and approaches in their settings. These were linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage. The findings contributed to an independent review of the EYFS, led by Dame Clare Tickell from September 2010.

Title: The best kindergarten you've ever seen

Explanation: This TED talk discusses how a space was developed for young children with play in mind. Whilst the talk does not directly discuss the value of play, the architect provides the audience with much to think about in terms of provision they have experienced and what it could actually look like for young children if they challenged current policy and philosophies.

Title: Play at home – Reaching out to families

Explanation: This leaflet produced as part of the PEAL project is a suggestion of how to support parents who would like to know more about how to engage with their children at home with play. This is a useful starting point for those working with young children and their families to consider how they might discuss with and involve families in the process of play.

Chapter 10: Inclusion and participation

Title: The Index for Inclusion: developing learning and participation in schools

Explanation: A programme of training which encourages a whole team approach to inclusion and the recognition of the uniqueness of children.

Title: SEND code of practice: 0 to 25 years

Explanation: This legislative documents gives you lots of information about the law and children / young people with disabilities.

Title: Building Pathways to Participation

Explanation: This document gives personal reflection on participation and the many ways practitioners can listen to the voice of the child.

Chapter 11: Children's health

Title: Centre for Longitudinal Studies

Explanation: The Centre for Longitudinal Studies is an Economic and Social Council resource centre. Based in the Department of Social Science in University College London's Institute of Education, the centre coordinates and reports upon four of the UK's internationally renowned cohort studies, including the millennium cohort study. Besides providing progress relevant to these studies, the centre is also a useful source of informative documents and publications about children's healthy development.

Title: About Professor Sir Marmot

Explanation: Professor of Epidemiology at University College London and President of the World Medical Association, Professor Michael Marmot is renowned for his research on health inequalities. In 2010 he conducted the Strategic Review of Health Inequalities in England post 2010, which published its report 'Fair Society, Healthy Lives' in February 2010. Marmot's lectures will further enhance knowledge and understanding of health inequalities and are inspiring.

Title: Just Societies: Health Equity and Dignified Lives

Explanation: Focussing on four key areas (influencing global, national and local policies; advising on and learning from practice; building the evidence base and capacity building), the Institute seeks to increase health equity through action on social determinants of health. It contains a raft of reports relevant to health inequality, including one about early childhood inequalities and health, Social inequalities in early childhood health and development: a European-wide systematic review.

Title: Public Health England: Obesity

Explanation: A source of wide ranging obesity related data, evaluation, evidence and research; this website includes a section on childhood obesity. It provides access to local data from the National Child Measurement programme together with useful guidance for anyone involved in work to tackle childhood obesity.

Chapter 12: The politics of children's services

Title: Inspiring Social Change

Explanation: The Joseph Rowntree foundation has its roots in the philanthropic work of Joseph Rowntree, this organisation works to understand the causes of poverty and disadvantage, evidencing its impact and exploring solutions.

Title: How Economic Inequality Harms Society

Explanation: In this TED talk Richard Wilkinson (co-author with Kate Pickett of ‘The Spirit Level’) explains how social inequality (in-country inequality as income distribution) influences almost all aspects of life including health and education outcomes.

Title: Danny Dorling

Explanation: Keep abreast of political issues with Danny Dorling, Professor of Geography, Oxford University. Housing has a direct impact on the lives of children and the current housing crisis and issues of inequality are topics explored by Dorling – well worth a visit.

Title: How laws are made. No mess. No fuss.

Explanation: A useful guide to all aspects of politics, simply explained with a range of debates and controversies included.

Chapter 13: Safeguarding children

Title: Gov.uk – Statutory guidance: Working together to safeguard children

Explanation: The websites of all government departments and many other agencies and public bodies have been merged into GOV.UK. This provides a straightforward way to locate government policy and legislation.

Title: Child Poverty Action Group- Working for families in the UK

Explanation: The CPAG are a charity who both campaign against childhood poverty and also provide information to individuals and organisations. The website contains lots of up to date useful information regarding the prevalence rates of poverty in the U.K.

Title: NSPCC

Explanation: This website provides information regarding safeguarding for both individuals and organisations. The NSPCC are a charity whose role encompasses delivering direct work to children and their families alongside campaigning for the greater protection of all children.

Chapter 14: Young children's wellbeing: conceptualising, assessing and supporting wellbeing

Title: Child Well-Being in the UK

Explanation: This video snapshot presents a good opportunity for reflection and discussion points on wellbeing, especially referring to UNICEF’s study and the findings from the Children’s society. They include children’s perspective on in-equality and wellbeing. UNICEF’s most recent publications, including Report Cards can be found here:

https://www.unicef.org.uk/publications/

Title: Flourishing - a new understanding of wellbeing' at Happiness & Its Causes

Explanation: Martin Seligman talks about the concepts of wellbeing: PERMA (positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning and accomplishment) and Flourishing. He draws on his research into the development and data from positive psychology studies into wellbeing. Although not directly focusing on young children, he talks about human beings and relationships in general.

Title: Child care – Early childhood education and care

Explanation: This website takes you through the development of the Leuven Scale and the theory and practice consideration of the Experiential Education: Making Care and Education More Effective Through Well-Being and Involvement

Title: The Good Childhood Report 2017

Explanation: This report informs you about The Good Childhood Report 2017, which is the fifth in-depth study into children’s well-being. By asking children how they think their lives are going the Children’s society have by now including the voices of over 60.000 children.

Title: Fairness for Children: A league table of inequality in child well-being in rich countries

Explanation: This Report Card presents an overview of inequalities in child well-being in 41 countries of the European Union (EU) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). It brings together sociological, economical and subjective wellbeing measures in assessing children’s wellbeing, in the context of inequality and fairness for children growing up.

Chapter 15: Children, families and English as an additional language

Title: EAL Nexus Teaching Resources

Explanation: This link takes you to a collection of free teaching resources developed by the British Council EAL Nexus programme. The resources are interactive, some play based, and can be used with children learning EAL from age 5 +.

Title: Supporting English Language Learners in the Preschool Classroom

Explanation: This YouTube video discusses EAL children's experiences when entering an English speaking preschool setting. Examples are given of the 'silent period'. Effective strategies for oral language development are also discussed, including parallel talk, self-talk, the total physical response technique as well as using the child's first language.

Title: Authors in the Classroom: A Transformative Education Process

Explanation: This website presents an overview of Isabel Campoy and Alma Flor Ada's transformative education process. The process involves giving bilingual children agency by seeing them as authors in the classroom. Using creative techniques, children reflect on and express their identity, making sense of their heritage language and culture. For visual examples of the work authored by children, see examples of books in the website

Title: ActionAid UK

Explanation: ActionAid UK is a leading international charity. The focus of their work is women and children who are struggling to survive in areas of armed conflict or natural disaster. Key priorities include women and children's education and rights.

There are a number of useful teaching resources for schools on the website: see the section get involved >> schools. Search for learning and teaching resources on aspects such as refugee crises, water, disasters and emergencies.

Chapter 16: The educational environment

Title: Excellence in early learning: The child’s journey from 2 – 6 years

Explanation: The British Association for Early Childhood Education is a national charity believing that every child deserves the best possible start in life and support to fulfil their potential. Early Years Practitioners are supported in training, resources and professional networks.

Title: Foundation Years Great Early Years and Childcare

Explanation: The Foundation Years Great Early Years and Childcare website brings together information from many sources to help support children to develop and flourish. A wide range of information developed by government, professionals and the voluntary and community sector is available.

Title: Pre-school Learning Alliance

Explanation: The Pre-school Learning Alliance website provides information from the largest and most representative early years membership organisation in England. A registered educational charity, the Alliance represents 14,000 member settings supporting them to deliver care and learning to over 800,000 families every year. The Alliance’s vision is a society where every child enjoys the same right and opportunity to develop and learn through play. They believe families should be placed at the centre of policy-making and work hard to empower parents to become more involved with their child's learning and development. Their mission aims to help children to succeed, create childcare that families need and to build learning communities. Together their vision and mission underpin their work.

Title: The Forest School Association

Explanation: The Forest School Association website provides detailed information about the ethos and principles of Forest School and opportunities for learning communities created through active participation in Forest School.

Title: Awareness Days UK

Explanation: The Awareness Days website provides an overview of awareness days and weeks including educational, environmental and travel awareness days. These special days/weeks are often used as starting points in schools and settings to inspire and motivate children in their learning.

Title: World Travel family

Explanation: This website provides information about home schooling and travelling including pros/cons; legalities; finding, facilitating and promoting education through life and destinations.

Chapter 17: Working with families and professionals from other agencies

Title: Partnership with Families: NASEN online videos

Explanation: A series of videos produced by NASEN outlining how different schools and early childhood settings work in partnership with families, including families of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Title: The impact of parental involvement, parental support and family education on pupil achievements and adjustment: a literature review

Explanation: A 4 minute video presenting research evidence related to the importance of parental involvement in children’s education

Title: SEN and Disability in the Early Years: A Toolkit

Explanation: This toolkit provides a briefing on the statutory requirements and guidance related to working with young disabled children and children with SEN and medical conditions in early childhood settings. It provides sections on how practitioners should respond to initial concerns about a child’s progress, assessment and supporting children through a graduated approach, Education, Health and Care Plans, and working with parents/carers and other professionals.

Title: Assessment and Education, Health and Care Planning

Explanation: This website, produced as an information hub for the community, parents/carers and professionals of Kingston and Richmond, contains a wealth of information and guidance for families about support for children with SEN and Disabilities. Chapters 2 and 3 of the ‘Golden Binder’ explain the process of Early Years Support, and SEN Support in Schools.

Chapter 18: Childhoods in a global context

Title: Baghdad Girl

Explanation: In this blog, Raghda records her experiences as a child growing up during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Title: The Children’s Section. The Refugee Council

Explanation: The Refugee Council Children’s Section is the only national service offering advice and support to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

Title: Unicef. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals

Explanation: This website provides a wealth of information on how the UN SDGs are working globally with women and children.

Chapter 19: Contemporary issues

Title: The Runnymede School Report Race, Education and Inequality in Contemporary Britain

Explanation: This collection of articles by academics and policy specialists provides a range of perspectives on the struggles for racial, ethnic and religious equality in education. Whilst the main focus is on secondary education it raises important questions about ethos, currula, achievement and teaching and learning strategies that are relevant to early childhood education and care. This provides context and background to other relevant areas of social policy of concern to ECEC practitioners.

Title: The Prevent duty and British Values (Pre School Learning Alliance)

Explanation: This provides an example of the ECEC sector advice on implementing British Values. The website provides regular analysis of policy issues that impact on Early Childhood Education and Care Settings and young children.

Title: See it, Say it, Change it

Explanation: This report by the Children’s Rights Alliance for England (CRAE) presents children’s views of their lives and the implementation of child rights in England. Reading this report will provide insights for ECEC undergraduates into the broad range of issues of concern to children in England and the questions they raise about changes in policy at a national level.

Chapter 20: Young Children, Childhood and Gender

Title: Kid’s Guide to Gender

Explanation: This website provides suggestions on a range of resources for use by practitioners and families to explore the plurality of gender identities and valuing all in society.

Title: Gender Identity and Expression in the Early Childhood Classroom: Influences on Development Within Sociocultural Contexts (Voices)

Explanation: This provides an account of a practitioner led research study focused on young children's gender. Solomon, the researcher, argues that practitioners need to take account of gender as stereotyping is a social justice concern and a more inclusive approach, transcending the male/female default boundary has the potential to enhance practice

Title: Why we need gender-neutral bathrooms

Explanation: In this TED talk Ivan Coyote (a trans person) argues why gender-neutral bathrooms would make such a positive contribution, not just for individuals who do not fit neatly into the gender binary, but for all individuals. In the talk, Ivan, makes reference to the challenges children can face linked to gender identity but also for many other reasons. The talk provokes consideration of how, taken for granted discursive practices (e.g. male and female toilets) can become a place of exclusion and fear and how this change could make the world a little bit safer for all.

Title: Gender and children and young people’s emotional and mental health: manifestations and responses

Explanation: This review by the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) focuses on how gender is an important part of children’s emotional and mental health and well-being. A range of evidence is reviewed and the role of professionals in supporting children and young people is discussed.

Chapter 21: Technology and early digital culture

Title: DigiLitEY

Explanation: An interdisciplinary network that will advance understanding of young children ́s digital literacy and multimodal practices in the new media age and which will build a coordinated European agenda for future research in this area.

 

Title: NAEYC Digital: Technology and Media

Explanation: The National Association for the Education of Young Children’s website outlining best practices and research in technology and interactive media as tools in Early Childhood Programs serving children from birth to age 8.

 

Title: National curriculum in England: computing programmes of study

Explanation: The National curriculum in England for computing programmes of studies for hey stages 1 and 2.

Chapter 22: Observing and assessing children

Title: Back to basics - A brief summary of early childhood observation methods and techniques

Explanation: As the title suggests, this website provides a useful summary of observation methods commonly used in early childhood settings. This Australian website complements Chapter 22, discussing more observation methods and describing and discussing each, including the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Title: Videatives

Explanation: George Forman’s website features a wide range of video clips of young children engaged in learning that are useful for practising observation techniques ($10 each)

Title: SEED: Good Practice in Early Childhood Education

Explanation: This document is an example of output from the large-scale UK Study of Early Education and Development project (SEED). Pp. 31-34 are specifically related to assessment but the document covers a range of salient issues for early childhood practice.

Chapter 23: Researching with children

Title: Steps for Engaging Young Children in Research, Vol 1: The Guide

Explanation: This is a comprehensive resource for academics and practitioner researchers wanting to include the perspectives of young children in their research.

Title: Centre for the Study of Childhood and Youth

Explanation: The website of an inter-disciplinary centre, based in The University of Sheffield, that brings together researchers from across the social and health sciences, arts and humanities.

Title: Issues in research with children and young people

Explanation: This is a free online course provided by the Open University to help students explore issues of conducting research with children and young people

Title: Ethical Research Involving Children

Explanation: This website provides a wealth of information about conducting ethical research involving children

Title: Listening and participation resources

Explanation: This website by the National Children’s Bureau contains a number of leaflets that can be used with early childhood practitioners and parents/carers interested in listening to young children’s views and enhancing their participation in decision-making

Chapter 24: Becoming a professional: entanglements with identity and practice

Title: BERA-TACTYC Early Childhood Research Review 2003–2017

Explanation: In Chapter 3 of the document below, Payler and Davis (2017) provide a useful summary and discussion of some key pieces of early childhood research and policy relating to professionalism. This chapter in particular will support reflection on issues relating to conceptualisations of professionalism, and each chapter of the report offers valuable insights into a range of professional issues that early childhood students may encounter.

Chapter 25: Learning through placements

Title: The art of being yourself

Explanation: Slightly different TED talk to one you were probably expecting. This is your starting point on your journey to being a reflective practitioner – knowing yourself

Title: Rate My Placement- Five tips I would give to any student starting their placement year

Explanation: There is some great information here that makes it clear that your placement is a two way process – you have responsibility to make the most of the opportunity and get involved with your learning

Title: Early Years Experiences – EYITT case study - Abeita Busari

Explanation: There is nothing more valuable than reading about the experiences of others – read Abeita’s story and write your own.

Title: Cognitive Dissonance

Explanation: For further information on cognitive dissonance and cognitive dissonance theory, visit:

As referenced in Action Point 25.1

Title: Kolb’s Learning Cycle

Title: Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle

Title: De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats

Title: Brookfield’s ‘Critical Lenses’

Chapter 26: Leading quality practice

Title: Leading an Early Years Setting

Explanation: This website provides valuable information about careers for early childhood professionals, including guidance on being an effective leader

Title: Pre School Learning Alliance

Explanation: This provides very practical information about many aspects of practice in pre-school provision. This includes a specific focus on leadership and management

Title: Education Scotland- Pedagogical Leadership in Early Learning and Childcare

Explanation: This PowerPoint resource is highly informative and includes several links to YouTube videos which provide clear snapshots of leadership practice in action. The focus here is on pedagogical leadership which is the responsibility of all, regardless of whether or not a formal leadership position is held.