Professional Books 2020 roundup - For your shelf

1. Building Confidence, Resilience and Emotional Intelligence in Young Children

By Jamie Victoria Barnes (Jessica Kingsley, £14.99)

This book takes the idea that education should be adapted to the child, rather than children being subjected to the same teaching styles regardless. It looks at different forms of intelligence, with suggestions on how to adapt an activity within the EYFS to cover different learning styles. The author explores growth mindsets versus fixed mindsets, and EYFS-related possibilities offered by Forest School, teaching children about emotions. She moves on to discussing how to be a reflective practitioner. With an appendix of activities and reflection points.

2. 100 Ideas for Early Years Practitioners: Supporting Children with SEND

By Susan O’Connor (Bloomsbury, £13.49)

‘It cannot be emphasised enough the benefit babies and children gain from learning through movement, music, art, and using their creative skills,’ says the author, a former SENDCo and Reception teacher, who wrote this in response to questions from practitioners looking for practical activities without specialist equipment. This book condenses nine skill areas into one easy-to-follow manual. Cognitive, motor skills, language and social and emotional development are all covered with an idea per page giving guidance and strategies for each.

3. Self-Regulation Skills in Young Children

By Sue Asquith (Jessica Kingsley, £16.99)

What is self-regulation? Often misunderstood as self-control or compliance, self-regulation is much more complex in practice. ‘There are many courses and books about “managing children’s behaviour”, but many focus on consequences and aim to get children to conform to expectations … do we really want to teach them to just do as they are told, without thinking for themselves or even asking questions if they are unsure? For children to become successful and independent we need to nurture them to take control of their lives, manage their own feelings and make their own informed decisions,’ says the author. This book is divided into a theory section in which key terms are defined, and a practice section with activities, case studies and reflection points.

4. No Outsiders: Everyone Different, Everyone Welcome. Preparing Children for Life in Modern Britain

By Andrew Moffat (Routledge, £19.99)

A book written by the author of the No Outsiders programme, which teaches tolerance for diversity and equality, and which resulted in protests outside primary schools in Birmingham on religious grounds last year. The programme has been praised by Ofsted and resulted in Mr Moffat being made an MBE and named Hero of the Year in the 2019 European Diversity Awards. This book is a tool for promoting equality and diversity, with resources for activities, plus staff training resources, school-related lesson plans and assembly plans. ‘Children do not switch on an identity dial on their first day at secondary school; children’s identities are being formed, evaluated and re-evaluated all the way through their formative years. We are all intersectional; one identity does not suffice to make up who we are. Children must be encouraged, and indeed taught, to explore identity and develop confidence in who they are,’ says the author.

5. 50 Fantastic Ideas for Getting Children Active

By Lala Manners (Featherstone, £9.89)

Many children’s physical abilities will have suffered from being cooped up during the lockdowns of 2020. Moving around and letting off steam, as well as flexing physical skills, are also a boost for mental development and well-being. From scrabble and stand (where toddlers lift themselves up to standing as quickly as possible) to duvet tunnels (where children crawl commando-style under a sheet), the ideas in this book can be used both indoors and outdoors using accessible or free materials. With sections on the first year, one to three years and three to five years.

6. Universal Approaches to Support Children’s Physical and Cognitive Development in the Early Years

By Sue Soan and Eve Hutton (Routledge, £29.99)

The central theme here is overcoming the movement and co-ordination challenges that can interfere with some children’s learning. In this text, a special needs teacher and an occupational therapist set out how early years and Key Stage 1 practitioners can tackle early motor developmental issues using tried-and-tested resources. The book considers how much support practitioners need when implementing these interventions, who is best placed to introduce new ideas and how existing initiatives can be built upon. The chapters cover physical skills, movement and learning, independence skills, sitting comfortably, handwriting and working with parents, with multiple ‘try this’ task breakdowns, checklists and chapter summaries.

7. Unplugged Play: Toddler/Unplugged Play: Preschool. 155 Activities & Games for Ages 1-2/233 Activities & Games for Ages 3-5

By Bobbi Conner (Workman Publishing, £9.99)

Written by an American mother and presenter of The Parents’ Journalpublic radio show, these two books are a compendium of suggestions for screen-free activities. Each is divided into four sections – solo play, parent and child play, play with others, and party play. The toddler book includes ‘kitchen soccer’ and creating a toddler band with percussive objects. The pre-school book includes games to help practice taking turns, follow simple rules and keeping hurt feelings in check, such as simple board and card games, plus real-world play. Both have material on crafts, songs and reading, playdates and party favourites, and ideas for both inside and outside, designed to stretch the imagination, spark creativity, build strong bodies, forge friendships and explore the real world.

8. Promoting Inclusion and Diversity in Early Years Settings

By Chandrika Devarakonda (Jessica Kingsley, £16.99)

Following on from her 2013 book Diversity and Inclusion in Early Childhood comes Dr Devarakonda’s timely guide to ethnicity, religion, culture and language, which looks at children from a holistic perspective. The book covers theory, legislation and policies, good practice, challenges faced by practitioners, teachers and professionals working with children and their families, and practical advice. Key issues discussed include the rights of the child, the perceived challenges of teaching ‘diverse’ children, teaching children about diversity, recruiting staff from diverse backgrounds, involving parents and families from different backgrounds, and the importance of acknowledging, valuing and respecting parents and families of children from minority groups. With case studies, activities and reflection points.

9. 50 Fantastic Ideas for Forest School

By Jamie Victoria Barnes (Featherstone, £7.69)

Many settings want to embrace Forest School, but working out how to introduce this ethos can seem overwhelming. This text contains early-years-focused activities, from clay printing to natural paintbrushes and creating outdoor mobiles. Each has a list of required resources (many natural), a step-by-step guide to the activity, tips, and how to develop the theme. With a brief introductory section including general safety tips, while specific health and safety tips are included where appropriate with each activity.

10. Provocations for Learning in Early Years Settings

By Margaret Longstaffe (Jessica Kingsley, £14.99)

Creating ‘ah’ moments – or following and developing those that naturally occur when children’s interest is captivated unexpectedly – can be one of the most rewarding parts of helping young children learn. This book looks at the learning philosophy behind these provocative moments, from Malaguzzi through Reggio Emilia to Sir Ken Robinson, the ethos behind them and the importance of play. The author sees the adult role in provocations as being ‘to recognise the interests of the children, plan and set up a particular provocation and then to observe as the children explore … the resources’. The author moves on to consider different types of provocations (short, long and themed, and subject-led, e.g. books, maths) and the use of outdoor environments and the community. There is a chapter on social media as a tool for finding free resources and making professional connections.

11. Supporting Young Children Through Change and Everyday Transitions

By Sonia Mainstone-Cotton (Jessica Kingsley, £16.99)

‘Think about how you would feel if you were suddenly bundled into a coat, out of the house and into a car, without being told where you were going or what was happening. What feelings might that bring up in you?’ Written by a transitions expert, this covers how to prepare and support children through change. The first section covers social and emotional development and well-being, with lots of references to further, more in-depth works on brain development. The practical strategies section covers siblings, pets, holidays, moving house, starting school, family changes such as divorce and prison, illness and bereavement. Each comes with clear tips on how to communicate about the issue with play ideas and suggestions for books and other resources on the topic.

12. The A to Z of Early Years

By June O’Sullivan (Sage, £19.99)

This assembles the LEYF chief executive’s views on everything from obesity to apprenticeships, pedagogy to kindness, men in childcare to venture capitalism. Written not just to set out the current state of play but to galvanise the sector around some of its biggest challenges, the book has a call to action per chapter. In ‘L is for leading’, Ms O’Sullivan says, ‘…if we are to lead for social change we must be brave and willing to stand up against injustice for children and staff. Having a well-defined business philosophy …is essential because it will frame the action needed, e.g. should leaders with a social purpose accept that many staff in the Early Years live in poverty because their salaries are 60% of the median income, and 44% of those working in childcare are on benefits, which is 10% higher than the general population of female workers?’