Anni McTavish

Communication and language through engaging play and learning – delivered by Anni McTavish

Enjoyable play and high-quality interactions are key to supporting young children’s communication and language. But how can we make the most of every moment, and what types of strategies and experiences work best?

 Aims of this session:  

• Reflect on the different stages of communication and language development, with ideas to support this through enjoyable play and learning
• To review the signs and symptoms that indicate a child might be struggling, and what we can do to help
• Be introduced to research-backed initiatives that form a strong foundation for nurturing language and communication, and two-way conversations
• To decide on a plan of action to develop practice, and build your skills as a communication activist.

Links will be made to the EYFS 2023, Development Matters, and other relevant resources and research.

This session is flexible and can be run either as a whole or half day training, online workshop or presentation, or as a conference keynote or setting-based INSET.

Multi-sensory play for babies and children up to three – delivered by Anni McTavish

Heuristic play is an important stage of learning and development, but what does it look like in practice, and how do we facilitate it in the setting and home? This training takes a comprehensive look at treasure baskets and the successive phase of heuristic play, and how to plan creatively for both.   

Aims of this session: 

• To deepen your knowledge of the value of multi-sensory play, and how it forms the basis for all later scientific and mathematical learning
• To reflect on the work of Elinor Goldschmied and how she developed her theories in post-war Europe
• Discover how to make your own treasure baskets and heuristic play collections: the right materials; storage and maintenance; session times, ages and stages of play
• To understand the crucial role of the adult, and the interactions that best promote engagement and learning.

Links will be made to the EYFS 2023, Development Matters, and other relevant resources and research.

This session is flexible and can be run either as a whole or half day training, online workshop or presentation, or as a conference keynote or setting-based INSET.

The write sort of play – developing writing opportunities through rich and stimulating role-play and small world provision – delivered by Anni McTavish

Small world play and role play offers young children lots of possibilities to use language linked to the real world and engage in symbolic play – essential foundations for writing. This training takes a practical look at how to offer mark-making and writing opportunities in imaginative play, to appeal to children at all stages of the writing journey.

Aims of this session:  

• To develop your ideas for engaging small world play and role-play areas – with inspiration from a range of early years settings
• How to incorporate writing that connects to children’s interests and development with engaging media and materials
• Review how adults can enable children to make links between their play and ideas with mark-making and writing, taking into account the needs of different learners, e.g., children who may be left-handed
• To reflect on how to nurture the ‘writer’s voice’, through songs, rhymes and stories, scribing and book-making – with the chance to make a homemade book to take away.

Links will be made to the EYFS 2023, Development Matters, and other relevant resources and research.

This session is flexible and can be run either as a whole or half day training, online workshop or presentation, or as a conference keynote or setting-based INSET.

Expressive arts and design – delivered by Anni McTavish

Art and design in the early years covers a wide range of opportunities and potential skills. An exciting arts curriculum can be supported through a well-resourced environment and thoughtfully planned adult-guided learning. It is also important to consider how your arts curriculum reflects and celebrates the cultures of a diverse, 21^st century Britain.

Aims of this session:

• To widen your outlook on the variety of art and design possibilities in the early years
• To understand the key elements of a broad and balanced arts curriculum, and how the arts can nurture and support other areas of learning and development
• To offer practical ideas and ways to develop your arts offer further
• To introduce a diverse group of artists and how to use their work to inspire new experiences and children’s ideas

Participants will take part in creative activities, and use an art and design audit to reflect on practice.

Links will be made to the EYFS 2023, Development Matters, and other relevant resources and research.

This session is flexible and can be run either as a whole or half day training, online workshop or presentation, or as a conference keynote or setting-based INSET.