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Can we change the long-term impact of the pandemic on young minds?

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Catherine Varney

27 articles published

Mark Steed Meets: In Conversation with Jan Dubiel

Welcome to the first in the series of 'Mark Steed Meets, In Conversation with'. Throughout this new series, Mark Steed, alongside a number of industry experts will bring early years education insights and thought-leadership-based discussions aimed to inspire and engage educators across the globe. For the first in the series, Mark is joined by Jan…

ByCatherine Varney5 July 20220Comments

Little Lockdowners Primary TTS Welcome

Welcome to Little Lockdowners: 4-11 Years

What does early research into the pandemic show us? There have been small amounts of research about the immediate impact and the challenges our ‘Little Lockdowners’ are facing. Albeit a significantly relevant topic area, there is still very little support and advice available to help those working with and supporting the development and attainment of…

ByCatherine Varney16 June 20220Comments

Early Years Little Lockdowners TTS

Creating an Enabling Environment to Support Early Years Post-pandemic

In my previous blog on ‘Effects of the pandemic’, I described some of the ways in which the pandemic has affected children, with settings reporting an impact in areas such as personal, social and emotional development, communication and language and physical development, along with some ways of overcoming these challenges. Here we will look at…

ByCatherine Varney16 June 20220Comments

Early Years Little Lockdowners TTS

14 Ways to Inspire Joy in our Children

1) Joy is infectious. Children model their mood, behaviour and attitude on the adults around them. If we show joy and enthusiasm our children will too. 2) Make things Magical. Imaginary experiences activate the brain in exactly the same way as real-life experiences. Give children some magic in their lives through make-believe and pretending. 3)…

ByCatherine Varney16 June 20220Comments

Little Lockdowners Primary

Register to watch our ‘Little Lockdowners: 4-11 Years’ Q&As

As a continuation from our Early Years Little Lockdowners campaign, we are excited to bring the next in our TTS Talking series. Our campaign: Little Lockdowners: Can we close the critical skills gap in primary learners? brings insights from a primary years perspective with experts: Rachel Clarke, Dr. Ems Lord and Hugo Shephard, hosted by…

ByCatherine Varney16 June 20220Comments

Curriculum Little Lockdowners TTS

What impact has the pandemic had upon arts and crafts?

We all recognise that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on children’s educational development and mental wellbeing has been massive, but what is not being acknowledged is the fact that practical curriculum subjects have been disproportionately affected. While some pupils have been relatively unaffected by the constant disruption, there are many who had limited or…

ByCatherine Varney16 June 20220Comments

Curriculum Little Lockdowners TTS

Rachel Clarke: Creating engaging book corners

Creating a better book corner I love Instagram. Whether it’s pictures of delicious meals, cute puppies, or gorgeous dresses, I can’t get enough of it. I’m also rather fond of images of clever ideas for Tuff Trays, quirky games to practice fractions and of course, I *ADORE* scrolling through images of books. All that said,…

ByCatherine Varney16 June 20220Comments

Curriculum Little Lockdowners Panellists Primary TTS Welcome

Hugo Shephard: The impact of the pandemic on child wellbeing

Hugo Shephard will be sharing practical ways to support the social and emotional wellbeing of primary learners post-pandemic. Hugo is the Founder and Managing Director of Role Models; an education provider that aims to give children the toolkit to build their confidence, manage their emotions and develop friendships. They do this through fun, online and in-person…

ByCatherine Varney16 June 20220Comments

Curriculum Little Lockdowners TTS

Rachel Clarke: The importance of representation in children’s reading

As teachers we want all children to thrive as readers; we want them to have both the skill and will to read. We can give them the skills they need to read through our daily reading lessons. Ensuring they have the will to read rests on them choosing their own books and reading for their…

ByCatherine Varney16 June 20220Comments

Curriculum Little Lockdowners Panellists Primary TTS Welcome

Dr. Ems Lord: Strengthening Mathematics skills in Primary Learners

Dr. Ems Lord will be sharing practical ways to help strengthen mathematics skills in primary learners. Dr. Ems Lord is Director of NRICH - the University of Cambridge’s multiple award-winning outreach mathematics programme. As a past president of The Mathematical Association, ambassador for Maths Week England, Ems Lord is also a regular contributor to the…

ByCatherine Varney16 June 20220Comments

World of Education

Catherine Varney

Mark Steed Meets: In Conversation with Jan Dubiel

Welcome to Little Lockdowners: 4-11 Years

Creating an Enabling Environment to Support Early Years Post-pandemic

14 Ways to Inspire Joy in our Children

Register to watch our ‘Little Lockdowners: 4-11 Years’ Q&As

What impact has the pandemic had upon arts and crafts?

Rachel Clarke: Creating engaging book corners

Hugo Shephard: The impact of the pandemic on child wellbeing

Rachel Clarke: The importance of representation in children’s reading

Dr. Ems Lord: Strengthening Mathematics skills in Primary Learners

Science Sparks’ Top Primary Science Resources

Having Fun with Computer Control and Programming

Catherine Varney

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