Childminder's Guide to Play and Activities

This book endorses play and activities as integral to learning and development for children and young people from 0-16 years, and looks at how childcare practitioners working specifically in the home-based setting might best promote this. In addition to covering the stages of child development, this book will give: practical ideas for play and activities insight into how various forms of play can assist children's learning and development guidance for your assessment of children's learning and development, and the impact this can have on the support you are giving background information about the National Curriculum and what is going on at school tips on how you might support the learning of groups of children at various ages and with different learning needs practical advice on how to encourage respect and values advice on how to promote safe play. This book is invaluable for all students of the Diploma for Home-based Childcare, and for all qualified childminders and nannies who are looking for fresh new ideas and advice on how to encourage learning through play with the children in their care.

Table of Contents:
Introduction 1 What is Play? How play assists learning The main types of play The importance of play in helping a child to develop 2 Child Development 0-16 Years Stages of development and play Factors which affect growth and development Exploring the Senses 3 Planning and Supporting Children's Learning and Development Resources Learning and developing through the ages Providing play and activities for children of different ages Supporting children with special educational needs (including gifted and talented) Observations and assessments 4 Social Development and Activities Forming relationships Primary socialisation Secondary socialisation Sense of communities Exploring cultures and religions Equal opportunities Incorporating ICT Social activity ideas 5 Emotional Development and Activities Recognising and dealing with emotions Growing independence Facing up to fears Self Confidence and Self Esteem Incorporating ICT 6 Communication, Language and Literacy Linking sounds and letters Reading Writing English as an additional language Incorporating ICT 7 Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy Problem solving Introducing mathematics including shape, measurements, money and time Incorporating ICT 8 Knowledge and Understanding of the World Science and technology Cooking A sense of time Incorporating ICT 9 Physical Development and Activities The importance of fresh air and exercise Making exercise fun Indoor physical play Outdoor physical exercise Incorporating ICT 10 Creative Development and Activities Feeding the imagination Painting Drawing Printing Collages Model making Music Role play and imaginative play Incorporating ICT 11 How to Encourage Respect and Values in Children Helping children to understand social acceptance Communicating with adults Equal opportunities Disability Prejudice and discrimination Religion and culture Family structures and how they affect children and young people A look at unacceptable behaviour in young children Encouraging acceptable behaviour in young children Behaviour in older children 12 Promoting safe play Child rights and protection Health and safety Dangers online Television Playing with guns and other toy weapons Bullying

About the Author :
Allison Lee has been working in the childcare industry for almost 25 years and has a wealth of experience in nursery management. She owns and runs a small chain of nurseries, and her business has been rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted.

Review :
Title mention in Nursery Education, 2007 ‘What an excellent book! As newly qualified childminders we found in it a wealth of practical information that will assist us in the everyday running of our business.' Carrie and Gavin Ford, Happy Haven Childminding ‘A book full of ideas from first-hand experiences, and a great reference book for use when planning activities. Many reward-system ideas are included to help combat behaviour problems. I particularly liked the ideas for games and activities being categorized by age of the child.' Julie Hodgson, Childminder 'This is a very useful reference book for anyone completing any training relating to childminding. I wish I had a copy when I was working towards my Level 3 qualification in early years care and education. I would recommend it to anyone looking to increase their knowledge about children's learning - especially though play.' Susanna Dawson, Child Care magazine