Literacy

Early childhood safeguarding changes 2026: Moving beyond compliance to a culture of safety

22 August 2026

Maggie Bolger and Ann Marie Christian explore the changing safeguarding landscape in early childhood, including KCSIE, the EYFS, safer recruitment, reporting concerns and the September changes. They argue that stronger safeguarding is not simply about having the right policies in place, but about creating cultures where children, families and educators are heard, concerns are connected and everyone understands their responsibility for keeping children safe.

Understanding Gen Alpha learners in your early years classroom

22 August 2026

Generation Alpha children in today’s classrooms differ fundamentally from previous generations. Born entirely in the 21st century, this cohort has experienced unprecedented technological immersion from infancy. Understanding how their developmental environment influences preferences can help educators create more effective classroom experiences. These experiences balance digital fluency with essential human connection.

From behaviour to signal: A different way to understand children

18 August 2026

Many childhood behaviours labelled as difficult, oppositional or defiant may make far more sense than we realise. This article and podcast episode explore a biological perspective on defiance, screens, difficult behaviour and why modern parenting has become so exhausting. We explore why children adapt when something important is missing from their experience, and how shifting our attention from behaviour to environment can transform how we understand children.

The brain that loves to laugh

17 August 2026

Laughter is often treated as a pleasant extra, or even a distraction from learning. Drawing on their work across psychology, education, health and community contexts, Dr Jacqueline Harding and Dr Jawad Shah explore how shared laughter can support connection, curiosity, hope and resilience, while making space for children’s full emotional lives. What becomes possible when joy is taken seriously?

Supporting children struggling with peer interaction in community spaces: From parks to libraries

13 August 2026

Social skills for children, such as sharing, active listening and resolving conflicts, flourish in diverse social settings. When children engage with peers beyond their daily routine in community spaces or public settings, they develop emotional intelligence and independence. Parents can further support these skills by offering gentle guidance and creating low-pressure opportunities for interaction.

The hidden hearing crisis in early years – and the free solution every nursery can use

3 August 2026

Too many children are quietly struggling to hear in early years settings, and it is often missed until their speech, learning and behaviour are already affected. This article and podcast episode share the story behind the Universal Glue Ear Screening Programme, explain what glue ear is and why it matters, and show how a free termly glue ear check can protect every child.

Who gets to feel seen in our classrooms? Culturally inclusive practice through books

27 July 2026

How do books shape children’s sense of identity, belonging and understanding of others? In this podcast episode and article, we explore the importance of representation in children’s literature and why inclusive storytelling matters in early childhood education. Reflecting on personal experiences, this conversation considers how books can help children feel seen, valued and included. We also discuss the role of sensory storytelling, immersive learning and culturally inclusive resources in supporting empathy, accessibility and belonging for all children.

An introduction to Savitribai Phule

24 July 2026

Savitribai Phule (1831–1897) was an Indian educator, poet and social reformer from Maharashtra. Born into a Mali (farming) caste family, she became India’s first female teacher and co-founded the country’s first school for girls in 1848. Her work challenged caste, gender and the assumption that education belonged to some children and not others.

An introduction to Janusz Korczak

24 July 2026

Janusz Korczak was a Polish-Jewish educator, paediatrician, author and children’s rights advocate. Long before children’s rights became recognised internationally, Korczak argued that children should be treated with dignity, respect and fairness. His pioneering work helped shape many of the principles later reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).