Early Years

Play helps young children to develop crucial self-regulation skills – but some will need extra support to get there, says Julian Grenier

Sophisticated play is crucial for children’s later development and attainment, but the pandemic has resulted in many deferring to low-level play, warns Helen Pinnington. Here, she sets out how EYFS teachers could help resolve the issue

While research shows that guided play has its benefits, teachers shouldn’t rush to change their practice just yet, says Thomas Martell

Research has shown that guided play can ‘sometimes’ be more effective than direct instruction, but is it really that straightforward? Helen Amass speaks to play researcher Elizabeth Byrne to find out more

The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale helps EYFS educators to create quality learning environments – here, Polly Crowther explains how it works

Every child deserves the best start in life: so why, Julian Grenier asks, is early years funding rigged against the most disadvantaged?

Before dismissing the use of systematic phonics in classrooms, the research needs further analysis, warns Julia Carroll

Routines are key in EYFS: they help the classroom to run smoothly and ensure children feel settled. But how do you establish them? Jess Gosling shares her advice

Research shows that early shared reading can be a protective factor for those pupils most likely to struggle with comprehension, finds Alex Quigley

As new research reveals a link between early language difficulties and poor mental health, the experts explain what teachers need to know

The introduction of the new Reception baseline assessment sparked a debate about the nature of testing at the early years foundation stage. In January this year, ahead of the RBA becoming statutory in September, John Morgan found out about how to get the measure of young children’s abilities

If we teach spelling patterns to children at an early age, studies suggest a benefit vocabulary acquisition, says Jessie Ricketts