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TTS Talking Early Years

Episode 18 | Building Skills in Early Years Curriculum with Ruth Swailes

Aug 15, 2024
Ruth Swailes, an award-winning Early Years specialist, joins Alistair Bryce-Clegg to dive into effective skill-building in early education. They highlight the importance of continuous provision for independent learning and adapting curricula to suit individual settings. The conversation sheds light on the learning environment as a 'third teacher' and the pitfalls of rigid frameworks. Ruth emphasizes child-led learning and the necessity of collaboration among educators to truly enrich children's experiences.
23:29

Episode guests

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Quick takeaways

  • Quality continuous provision is essential for skill development, creating environments that allow children to engage with knowledge independently.
  • An enabling environment functions as a 'third teacher', prompting educators to collaboratively define and optimize learning spaces for better engagement.

Deep dives

The Balance of Skills and Knowledge

An effective curriculum in early education requires a balanced focus on both skill development and knowledge acquisition. Practitioners often face pressure to prioritize knowledge delivery, but skill development is equally, if not more, crucial as it enables children to engage with and gather knowledge effectively. Quality continuous provision plays a significant role, where real learning happens outside of direct adult instruction, emphasizing the importance of creating environments that facilitate skill growth. It is essential to recognize that both elements must coexist in a well-rounded educational approach.

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