This updated edition of the seminal 2003 text on outdoor play in early years provision taps into the major issues around nutrition, exercise and mental wellbeing in this field. Focusing on the importance of outdoor play from birth to age five, Exercising Muscles and Minds, Second Edition aids practitioners in planning for learning outside throughout the year. Updated to include engagement with new research and practice that has emerged since 2003, the book explores the neurological benefits of exercise and outdoor play; the debates on risk; technology and indoor play; development of Forest Schools, Beach Schools and Nature Kindergartens; and rebranding and development of early years teaching methods. Full of case studies and ideas for activities, equipment and resources, this practical guide is full of useful guidance for working outdoors with young children - whether in largest of green areas or the smallest of back yards.

This book examines the intersections between children, education and geography. With a particular focus on children’s geographies and geographies of education, the book draws upon cutting-edge research to consider how geographical education can be enhanced through increased engagement with these fields. The book is underpinned by the position that the lives of children and young people are inherently geographical, as are educational institutions, systems and processes. The volume explores the ways in which the diverse relationships between children, education and geography can enrich research and work with, and for, children and young people. Chapters in this book consider how in/justices are (re)produced through education. Chapters also explore how insights generated by thinking in, and across, geography and education can be used to support and empower young people in both formal education and in their everyday lives. Ultimately, this book is written for children and young people. Not as the readership, but as people, often marginalised in decision making at a variety of scales in education, and who, we contend should be at the heart of all educational thinking. The book is of value to undergraduate and post graduate students interested in geography education and children’s geographies, as well as teachers of geography, both new and experienced.

Confidence, emotional intelligence and resilience are vital to children's mental wellbeing, and this book gives early years practitioners all the tools they need to promote these skills in young children. The book explores how three approaches - Growth Mindset, Forest School and Multiple Intelligences - can be key to building these skills. Growth Mindset focuses on talents being strengthened through hard work and determination; Forest School uses the physical natural world to enhance learning and development; and Multiple Intelligences focuses on equally valuing the many different kinds of intelligences there are. Each chapter includes activities and ideas to show how the different approaches can be used in everyday practice. Also included are reflective questions, quick tips and case studies. This book will inspire and empower readers to reflect on themselves, their practice, and how they can support each child as an individual to give them the best start in life.

Seeing play as an important and vital element of life for children and adults alike, this book addresses the ways in which practitioners take account of and act responsibly with moments of children's play and playfulness. Working with the Playwork Principles, the book draws on alternative concepts to traditional approaches, including ideas from materialist and posthuman philosophy and human geography, to explore playing as process rather than product. Topics covered include play and wellbeing, play and space, and the micro-politics of playing, critical cartography and adult account-ability and response-ability. It concludes by considering the implications for professional practice and offering ways that professionals can develop practices that maintain and co-create favourable conditions in which children's play can flourish.

Research Informed teaching is big news! Indeed one might argue that there has been a bottom up revolution encouraging teachers’ use of research (e.g. ResearchED). But at the same time there is a gap between what teachers do and what research suggests might provide effective ways to support young children’s learning. It’s not that a wealth of educational research doesn’t exist (just look at the What Works Clearinghouse, the Best Evidence Encyclopaedia or Hattie’s Visible Learning), but the Early Years sector is often under-represented. This book is an attempt to address this disparity and provide Early Years leaders and practitioners with an understanding of how to embed this research within their everyday practice offering top tips of how others in the field have done this and considering topics such as outdoor learning, early writing skills and parental engagement. Drawing on the wisdom of those at the top of their game, this book intends to provide just that: a practical handbook for EYs practitioner and leaders that can help make the research use revolution a reality.

Helping Babies and Toddlers Learn is a practical book for people who work with children under three in childcare settings or in the family home. It aims to help practitioners tune into under-threes, to value what they are learning and enjoying right now, and not rush them on to what might seem more important skills or 'milestones'. This second edition has been fully updated to reflect new developments in early years provision and guidance. With the support of examples, activities and encouragement for readers to reflect, Jennie Lindon highlights ways to: * focus on what young children are really learning and ready to explore * develop good practice that integrates physical care with communication and learning * build on the 'window of opportunity' for learning in the very early years: through play, shared routines and warm relationships * work in partnership with colleagues and parents for children's emotional well-being * use observation and flexible planning to support young children's all-round learning.

Good architecture combines the practical with a sense of delight in the spaces that make up a building. If designed skilfully, a buildingcan inspire and help to make children’s experience of their early years care a secure yet varied one.Many childcare professionals understand the importance of architecture in ensuring good provision for young children and theirfamilies. Whether making minor modifications to an existing facility, embarking on major term improvements, or a new construction, this book will empower early years professionals to work with building professionals to create the best space for young children. It looks at the big things, but more importantly suggests the smaller features that can provide an educationally stimulating environment.Drawing on experience in the UK and Europe, this new edition aims to ensure that advances in children’s architecture will be wellinformed. It has been revised throughout and includes an overview of recent developments, legal compliance, consulting with children,building for communities, local involvement and achieving high quality builds with small budgets.

Fully updated to reflect the current status and understandings regarding outdoor provision within early childhood education frameworks across the UK, this new edition shows early years practitioners how to get the very best from outdoor play and learning for the enjoyment, health and education of young children up to age seven. This invaluable resource gives sound practical guidance for providing: play with water, sand and other natural materials; experiences with plants, growing and living things; movement and physical play; construction, imaginative and creative play; and explorations into the locality and community just beyond your garden. This full-colour third edition has been further developed to act as a comprehensive source book of relevant materials, books and resources supporting the core ingredients of high-quality outdoor provision, while each chapter also includes extensive collections of children’s picture books relating to the themes within each chapter. Playing and Learning Outdoors has become the essential practical guide to excellence in outdoor provision and pedagogy for all early years services. This lively, inspiring and accessible book will help every educator to develop truly successful and satisfying approach to learning through play outdoors for every child.

How much of a person’s body weight is made up of muscle? Can you learn to control your heart rate using your mind? How does taking steroids affect muscles—and why are steroids dangerous? What causes hiccups? The answers to these puzzling questions—and 97 more—are revealed in this thought-provoking book about muscles. From basic information on how muscles work to more complex issues such as how diseases and injuries affect muscles, science expert Faith Hickman Brynie provides authoritative information about the human muscular system.

Eric Franklin’s first edition of Conditioning for Dance was a bestseller—and it is back and better than ever, offering state-of-the-art conditioning exercises for dancers. An internationally renowned master teacher, Franklin has developed a science-based method of conditioning that is taught and practiced in companies and schools around the world. In this new edition of Conditioning for Dance, he integrates the latest scientific research on strength, flexibility, and conditioning into his dance exercises.