Editorial and Contents of Autumn 2007 Journal

The Great British Summer Time … I can’t help thinking that one of the authors in this edition was prophetic when she commented ‘the British weather is an endless source of debate – we love to discuss it, we try to predict it, we are always being surprised by it!’ As I have read through this edition of Early Education I have been forcibly struck by the fact that many of our current modern approaches are repackaged from a different generation. Many of these new theories have qualities like the rain and they keep returning with contemporary nuances and key points which add challenging twists.
Margaret McMillan in 1914, in her openair nursery school in Peckham, said, ‘the best classroom and the richest cupboard are roofed only by the sky’. The early years sector is already comfortable with integrating the key aspects of children’s development and learning into experiential, holistic pedagogy with a real drive for outdoor play. Research continually backs up the notion that young children (especially boys) learn best when engaged in physical activity, and Marjorie Ouvry’s book Exercising muscles and minds (NCB 2003) demonstrates how important access to quality, well-planned outdoor play is to their overall development. Many of the points made by these great exponents of our craft are captured in the pages that follow although each article brings its own unique viewpoints to the fore.
Gail Ryder Richardson (the prophetic author of whom I spoke) echoes Margaret McMillan’s sentiments when she emphasises that ‘being in direct contact with the natural world, the weather and the seasons’ is pivotal to the young child’s development. This affirming article also offers a plethora of ideas and resources for learning in all weathers.
Melian Mansfield’s article about championing young children’s rights prompted me to read in full for the first time the UN Convention on Children’s Rights – all 40 articles. I was amazed by the depth of insight contained within these articles which naturally translates into quality practice for the early years. I hope this piece will likewise inspire you to examine and allow these articles to influence your practice regardless of your setting.
I was once again shocked by the findings of Unicef’s judgement that the UK was the worst of the industrialised countries with regard to whether children ‘feel loved, cherished, special and supported’, having heard it first from Paddy Beels in her presentation at the Early Years National Conference in May. Reading it again in her article here, I am reminded how Unicef’s finding really challenges those of us with professional responsibility. The gauntlet laid down to us is to continually evaluate and develop our practice to meet the needs of each generation in our rapidly changing world.
This very aspect is mirrored in Helen Huleatt’s reflections on Friedrich Froebel’s words in The education of man 1826: ‘… protect the new generation; do not let them grow up into emptiness’. It is breathtaking that Froebel’s thoughts are echoing through the years and translating into current accepted good practice openended and child-directed play, interacting with nature. This article supports the challenge of childhoods being squeezed out by consumerism, technology and academic pressure.
Jan Dubiel reminds us of the importance of appropriate assessment for individual children to enable us to create high-quality environments both inside and outside. The emphasis is on the individuality of each child’s unique story to support their progress and development. In this edition of Early Education we have much to celebrate and challenge us with the concepts of a child-centred approach: reflective practice, parental involvement, uniqueness of the child, links to nature and the great outdoors as essential in early years experiences all fed by balanced assessment. The timeless conclusion that links exist between early childhood experience and adulthood emanates throughout these pages. Let us echo Dr Meffert’s words from Helen Huleatt’s article when referring to Keilhau today: ‘There is a magic here, a spirit of Keilhau that takes hold of you. You need a motivating spirit, an inspiration, to work with young children’
May we all have the courage to live what we believe and achieve such noble heights.
Sharon Beattie
Early Education Northern Ireland

Features

Getting outdoors – whatever the weather Gail Ryder Richardson
Early Childhood Forum: championing young children’s rights and entitlements Melian Mansfield
Celebrating children – Froebel’s vision Helen Huleatt
Our children, their future Paddy Beels
Once upon a time in a child’s learning Jan Dubiel

Regulars

Editorial Sharon Beattie
Review Naomi McLeod & Lynne Kendall
Diary dates


Early Education is the leading national voluntary organisation for early years practitioners and parents with members and branches in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Early Education promotes the right of all children to education of the highest quality and provides support, advice and information for everyone concerned with the education and care of young children from birth to eight years.

Early Education is published three times a year [ISSN 0960-281X]
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