Scéalta – The Early Childhood Ireland Blog

Sort by: Date / Popularity

Please note: Submissions for this blog are requested by invitation only.

folder DevelopmentEnvironmentsLearningPlayRelationship Building

Quarantine Children – Learning to adapt during lockdown

By Yvonne O'Keeffe

Monday 25 January 2021

Learning to adapt while maintaining positive child & family interactions during the lockdown During the first lockdown from March through to the end of June 2020, the team at Cottage Childcare, Killavullen designed a unique weekly template as a means of staying connected with the children and families of our service. This template was filled […]
tags an postblogCovid-19 lockdownquarantinescéaltaSíolta
45 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentEnvironmentsLearningPlayRelationship BuildingTransitionsWorkplace relations

Carol Duffy, master of the outdoors

By Lilian Joyce

Monday 18 January 2021

Last month we said a fond farewell to our colleague Carol Duffy, who retired from Early Childhood Ireland after nearly 40 years of working in the early years. Back in the 1980s, there were no childcare regulations, no accredited training for early year educators and no funding for Early Learning and Care services. There were, […]
tags blogEarly Childhood IrelandplayleaderscéaltaSíolta
758 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentEnvironmentsLearningPlayRelationship Building

Kindness Elves

By Eilish Balfe

Friday 08 January 2021

Happy Days Childcare, Ratoath winning the Inspired Practice Award has been a tremendous boost to everyone involved in our service and most especially in this difficult Covid dominated year. It is personally a huge boost as it gives recognition to all my team’s and my own hard work over these past 7 years in establishing […]
tags Early Childhood IrelandInspired Practice AwardKindnessKindness Challengemulti-generational community
556 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentEnvironmentsLearningRelationship BuildingWorkplace relations

Christmas connections through social media!

By Kathleen Tuite

Tuesday 15 December 2020

Now that Christmas is just around the corner you might be thinking of ways to share the end of year celebrations with families of children attending your ELC setting.  With this in mind, we wanted to remind you all of the many ways of connecting and how important it is to have some procedures in […]
tags blogearly years settingsscéaltaSíoltasocial mediasocial media policy
1956 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentEnvironmentsLearningPlayRelationship Building

Celebrating Quality in Early Learning and Care Practice

By Milica Atanackovic

Tuesday 01 December 2020

  This year we were unable to host our annual national award celebrations in person. Therefore, we made the decision to celebrate the shortlisted entries and winners through short online videos. Our aim was to show examples of the love, laughter, passion, and adventures facilitated by educators in quality Early Learning and Care services. The […]
tags annual awardsblogEarly Childhood IrelandECIAwards20National Annual Awards 2020scéaltaSíolta
1078 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentEnvironmentsLearningRelationship Building

The beauty of ‘being’

By Catherine Mc Hugh

Tuesday 24 November 2020

“I can’t wait until….” Here is a simple quote that personally passes through my lips numerous times a day. It has become apparent to me in recent times that looking for the ‘what next’ in my future has almost overcome me to an extent where the ‘now’ is overlooked. There is such beauty in the ‘now’. A glistening feeling […]
tags AistearblogCovid responseCOVID-19MindfulnessscéaltaScéalta BlogSíolta
1936 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentEnvironmentsLearningRelationship Building

Democratic practice

By Marlene McCormack

Monday 16 November 2020

As the dust settles on the US presidential election, in Scéalta this week Marlene Mc Cormack reflects on how we can ensure democratic practice in early childhood education and care settings and reminds us that the Reggio philosophy grew out of the devastation of World War 2. If we want adults who are brave and who will stand up for justice, this must be supported from early childhood.
tags Aistearblogdemocracydemocratic citizensReggio EmiliaScéalta BlogSíolta
1239 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentEnvironmentsLearningPlayRelationship BuildingWell-being

Relationships and Interactions

By Lilian Joyce

Monday 09 November 2020

In this week’s Scealta, Lilian Joyce discusses how “Relationships are at the very heart of early learning and development” – ‘this has always been my favourite quote from Aistear’, (Learning and developing through interactions, Aistear, Guidelines for good practice [NCCA, 2009, p.27]). The impact of the Covid 19 pandemic has shown just how much relationships between children and their families, and the early years educators, matter.
tags COVID-19European Early Childhood Education Research Associationinspiring interactionsInspiring PracticeInteractionsLoving Relationshipsrelationships
1949 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentEnvironmentsLearningRelationship BuildingResearch

EECERA – virtual!

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 03 November 2020

  The European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EERECRA) conference each August/ September is a calendar fixture for many in the Early Learning and Care world. It is held in various locations around Europe; indeed, it has taken place in Dublin twice and attracts delegates, who share a passion for the education and care of […]
tags AistearblogEECERAEuropean Early Childhood Education Research AssociationInternational Narrativesscéalta
1343 views
0 comments
folder AdvocacyDevelopmentLearningPlayRelationship BuildingResearch

Coming of Age

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 27 October 2020

Last Tuesday night, October 20 Professor Anne Looney, Dean of Education at Dublin City University launched the Proceedings of the Early Childhood Ireland National Research Conference, held in Dublin in April 2019. The launch of this publication came during Early Childhood Ireland’s very first online Research Symposium, which was due to be held last April, […]
tags AistearblogNational Research Conference 2019Online Research SymposiumProceedings JournalscéaltaScéalta BlogSíolta
2269 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningPlayRelationship Building

Early Childhood Ireland’s Learning Hub

By Margaret Garland

Monday 12 October 2020

You have seen by now about the launch last week of Early Childhood Ireland’s Learning Hub. This new member benefit has the potential to save members hundreds of euros, as it provides up to €850 worth of high-quality online training, at no additional cost to members. For courses with a practical component, such as Manual […]
tags Covid pandemicCOVID-19Early Childhood IrelandEarly Years Educationlearning hubonline trainingReturn to Work Training
2379 views
0 comments
folder EnvironmentsLearningPlayRelationship BuildingResearch

Celebrating Scéalta 200

By Dr Emer Ring

Monday 05 October 2020

Painting a picture of a dynamic, innovative, responsive and committed sector I was delighted and indeed honoured to receive an invitation from Early Childhood Ireland to write a guest Scéalta edition to mark the 200th edition of the blog and this significant milestone for early childhood in Ireland.  For me, the invitation coincided with two significant […]
tags COVID-19 landscapeEarly Childhood IrelandLeadership for INClusion in the Early YearsscéaltaSíoltaUNICEF report
2190 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentEnvironmentsLearningRelationship Building

Tell me a story!

By Marlene McCormack

Tuesday 29 September 2020

I am wondering if I have the hang of blogging. A blog, I think, is meant not only to tell but to engage – maybe to share a story! Sir Ken Robinson, who died recently, was a great storyteller.  Make no mistake about it, he had a perspective on education, one that many subscribed to […]
tags blogLearning through StorytellingscéaltaSeanchaíSíoltaStoryStorytelling
1720 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentEnvironmentsLearningPlayRelationship Building

Reopening – Silver Linings – Mixed Age Pods

By Sarah Twohig

Monday 21 September 2020

Since I began my studies in the Early Years, I have often wondered how mixed age groups worked in practice. The Montessori method stresses that multi-age groups can be of benefit to all children. Our curriculum has always been tailored to the individual child anyway and so we became quite excited by the possibilities presented […]
tags AistearblogCOVID-19Mixed age groupspeer groupplay podsscéaltaSíolta
1749 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentEnvironmentsLearningPlayRelationship BuildingTransitions

Reopening – Compromises and Silver Linings

By Sarah Twohig

Monday 14 September 2020

“Dream big, work hard, stay focused and surround yourself with good people.” I’m a big fan of inspirational quotes and Facebook memes because sometimes they just hit the right note. In our service, we like to dream big which includes a collaborative dream of a “perfect” creche. This idea forms the centre or ethos of […]
tags blogCOVID-19COVID-19 Reopeningcrecheoutdoor environmentplayscéaltaSíolta
1306 views
0 comments
folder LearningPlayRelationship BuildingWell-being

Loving Relationships

By Dee Finn

Monday 24 August 2020

In response to the question “how would you describe love?” my darling friend Biel said “it feels like everything. Love the people and love the trees, love everything. It’s a really happy feeling of your heart, the heart which you feel in your body”. Biel, at five years of age, has true wisdom of the […]
tags blogemotional well-beingLoveLoving RelationshipsscéaltaSíolta
1075 views
0 comments
folder Relationship BuildingWell-being

Because You Matter

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 11 August 2020

Anthony Semann from Australia was booked to be the keynote speaker at the Early Childhood Ireland conference last April. I had heard great things about Anthony’s insights and was looking forward to both his keynote and masterclass. Then of course Coronavirus hit and the Conference, along with so much else, fell victim to the Covid […]
tags Anthony SemanncoronavirusCOVID-19DCYAMental HealthWell-Being
1813 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentEnvironmentsLearningPlayRelationship Building

Reopening: We were ready!

By Anne Macken

Tuesday 28 July 2020

Looking back on the past few weeks since reopening, and if I had the gift of hindsight, my mental health and wellbeing might not have had to suffer as much as it has over the past six weeks.  When we had our date for reopening my mind started working overtime with so many ‘what about….’, […]
tags COVID-19DCYAEarly Childhood IrelandIrish guidelinesreopeningscéaltaSíolta
2721 views
3 comments
folder DevelopmentEnvironmentsLearningRelationship Building

Being Nice is not Enough!

By Colette Murray

Tuesday 14 July 2020

In this week’s Scealta Colette Murray discusses ‘Becoming more aware of our unconscious and conscious bias both personally and professionally means we are in a better position to support children and families in our services. None of us think of ourselves as racist, sexist, ableist, classist or homophobic but how sure are we about that? Most of us are confident we are not discriminating against others but is it enough to think that and say that?’
tags AistearblogEarly Childhood IrelandEqualityracismscéaltaSíolta
1403 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentEnvironmentsPlayRelationship Building

Lockdown Effects – ‘Not the Same Child At All’

By Dr. Suzanne Egan

Wednesday 08 July 2020

In this week’s Scealta – Dr Suzanne Egan shares preliminary findings from PLEY Survey which measured the play activities of children aged 1 – 10 years at home due to COVID-19 crisis. Findings show that Children’s lives have changed dramatically, suggesting that some children will need a lot of additional support in the coming months. With the closure of schools, creches, playgrounds and restrictions on physical movement and interactions, a number of effects on many aspects of children’s lives, including on their play, their social relationships and emotional development were found.
tags blogCOVID-19 crisisEffect of LockdownscéaltaSíoltaThe Play and Learning in the Early Years
1639 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentEnvironmentsLearningPlayRelationship Building

Reopening – ‘Seeing Joyful Faces’

By Sharon Skehill

Monday 29 June 2020

In this week’s Scealta, Sharon Skehill talks about reopening and says that ‘The children are at the centre of everything we do. Am I nervous about re-opening this week? I don’t think I am. I know that we have done everything we can to minimise risk to children, their families and the staff. I also know that those children coming back to us this week will be greeted with joyful faces and huge hearts. We will be grand!’
tags AistearblogCOVID-19 Reopeningjune29reopening irelandscéaltaSíolta
1541 views
0 comments
folder EnvironmentsLearningPlayRelationship Building

Your Place

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 16 June 2020

As we count down the weeks to the reopening of many full day care settings, Máire Corbett discusses some considerations for changes to our environments and keeping the child central to those considerations. She mentions the excitement, as well as the apprehension we may feel about having personal connections to children and families after months of virtual contact.
tags blogEarly Childhood IrelandHand HygienescéaltaSíoltaUniversal Design GuidelinesYour place
828 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentEnvironmentsLearningRelationship Building

Pedagogical Leadership

By Kathleen Tuite

Tuesday 09 June 2020

In the Scéalta this week Kathleen Tuite outlines why she feels that pedagogical leadership is a key aspect of the reopening of our settings. She says that Having to carve out new pathways to cope and come up with innovative ways to ensure that our children, families and communities are safe, nurtured and supported requires rethinking the old ways of doing things and effective leadership is needed to do that.
tags AistearblogPedagogical leadersPedagogyplay podsscéaltaSíolta
1205 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentEnvironmentsLearningPlayRelationship Building

Pod Talk

By Milica Atanackovic

Wednesday 03 June 2020

Since early March, the way we live our lives has been changed by COVID-19. This has been the same for children. As researchers learn more about COVID-19 and as more definitive answers emerge on how to manage the virus, we need to continually balance the health guidance and practicality, keeping loving relationships at the heart of our work in pods. In Scéalta this week, Milica Atanackovic teases out the how of this.
tags Aistearchild-centricCOVID-19play podScéalta BlogSíolta
2404 views
0 comments
folder ArtDevelopmentEnvironmentsLearningPlayRelationship Building

Together while apart

By Veronique Didi

Monday 25 May 2020

Early Learning and Care settings all over the country have been so creative and innovative in how they are keeping connected with children and families. Veronique Didi from Co. Wicklow tells us how she has responded to the children interests and maintains an emergent curriculum on line!
tags AistearblogCovid19 crisisGoToMeeting appkeep in touchscéaltashow and tellstaying connected
1210 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentEnvironmentsLearningRelationship Building

Connecting and Documenting Through a Virtual Platform

By Samantha Hallows

Tuesday 19 May 2020

Samantha Hallows from Giddy-ups pre-school through her connecting with children and families ‘Super Shed Stories’ has been receiving photos from children and their families of drawings the children have been doing after they listen to the Stories from Super Shed Stories. Samantha has decided to document these drawings from the children (with their permission) and share them through a Super Shed Gallery, virtual platform.
tags COVID-19documentationpreschoolScéalta BlogstoriesStorytellingSuper Shed Stories
990 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentEnvironmentsLearningPlayRelationship BuildingWell-being

Trust, Opportunity, and Time

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 28 April 2020

Aldo Fortunati from Tuscany has spoken at a few Early Childhood Ireland events, most recently in Carlow last September. I am always taken by his mantra of Trust, Opportunity and Time. He says children need to be trusted to lead their own learning and experiences, must be given the opportunities to do this and have […]
tags Aistear Siolta in ActionCovid pandemicCOVID-19family timeOpportunitiesScéalta Blogtrust
1328 views
2 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningRelationship BuildingResearch

My Early Childhood Degree at Maynooth University

By Sylwia O’Rourke

Wednesday 15 April 2020

As the extended CAO Deadline gets closer, Sylwia O’Rourke looks back on her experience of completing her BA in Early Childhood Teaching and Learning at Maynooth University.
tags Learning JournalMaynooth UniversityScéalta BlogSiolta blog
1540 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningPlayRelationship BuildingWell-being

Staying connected through Super Shed Stories

By Samantha Hallows

Monday 23 March 2020

Over the past week we have been hearing about the trojan efforts that Early Childhood Ireland members are making and finding innovative ways to stay connected to their children while all early learning and care settings are closed. In this week’s Scealta blog we hear from our member Samantha who describes how she uses stories […]
tags COVID-19Reading TimeScéalta BlogStorytellingSuper Shed StoriesYoutube Series
2956 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentEnvironmentsLearningRelationship BuildingWorkplace relations

Professional Practice

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 03 March 2020

Síolta Standard 11 relates to the area of professional practice, saying ‘Practising in a professional manner requires that individuals have skills, knowledge, values and attitudes appropriate to their role and responsibility within the setting. In addition, it requires regular reflection upon practice and engagement in supported, ongoing professional development’. Dr. Mary Moloney’s recent Scéalta post […]
tags annual conferenceconferencecontinual professional developmentProfessionalisationSíoltaSiolta blog
1118 views
2 comments
folder DevelopmentEnvironmentsLearningRelationship BuildingTransitions

What are we doing to our boys?

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 25 February 2020

In Scéalta this week Máire Corbett reflects on how gender stereotypes can be damaging to children, following the online reaction to the winning project in the BT Young Scientist competition and a conversation she overheard in a supermarket.
tags Aistearbehavioural scienceearly years learninggender biasgender stereotypelearning biasman upscéaltasocial science
1700 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningPlayRelationship Building

‘The Couch’

By Jane Jackson

Tuesday 11 February 2020

Against the backdrop of a wonderfully diverse modern Ireland, we are challenged to consider how we can ensure the meaningful participation of all parents and families in our ECEC settings. As the manager of a small sessional setting in a thriving multicultural and societally diverse Dublin suburb, I am acutely aware of the importance of […]
tags Early Years EducatorsECCEECEC SettingEducatorsparentspreschoolpreschool settingsScéalta BlogSessional service
1231 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningRelationship BuildingResearchWorkplace relations

Professional Behaviour in Early Childhood Education and Care

By Dr. Mary Moloney

Wednesday 29 January 2020

Ask any early childhood educator what it is they most want and, the answer invariably entails professional salaries (rightly so), to feel valued, respected and treated as and, seen as a professional in their own right. They want to enjoy the status afforded to and enjoyed by other professions. In short, they want to see the professionalisation of the Early Childhood Education and Care sector. Ensuring that this happens rests primarily with Government who are responsible for creating the conditions that enable a profession to emerge and flourish.
tags Aistearaistear blogcode of ethicscode of professional responsibilityECECScéalta BlogSiolta blog
6308 views
0 comments
folder LearningPlayRelationship Building

Capturing Children’s Voices at Story Time!

By Kathleen Tuite

Wednesday 22 January 2020

Reading and storytelling with children promotes brain development and imagination, teaches children about language and emotions, and strengthens relationships. Dr Mary Roche in her blog ‘Books and stories are important in the early years‘, also wrote about the importance of storytelling and its effect on children’s development. In this blog we want to highlight the […]
tags AistearChildrenSíoltaSiolta blogstory timeStorytelling
2375 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningRelationship Building

Montessori and Intergenerational Care

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 05 November 2019

In this week's Scelta blog Máire Corbett discusses her experience at at the Montessori Europe Congress last month. Máire heard about intergenerational initiatives in the USA and how some settings provide residential care for older people using Montessori Principles to enhance the lives of the Elders in those settings.
tags EldersInter-generationalInter-generational learninglife long learningMontessorirelationshipsscéaltaScéalta Blog
1791 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentRelationship BuildingWell-being

Are you feeling heard?

By Dr. Jennifer Pope

Wednesday 02 October 2019

Have you ever been in a situation where it feels like you are not being listened to? Ever been waiting at the end of a customer service helpline listening to… ‘you are a valued customer, but all our lines are busy so please hold…you are in a queue, all our operators are busy, you are […]
tags Children's RightsLearning StoriesscéaltaScéalta BlogWell-Being
4428 views
0 comments
folder Relationship Building

Whole Group Circle Time in Early Years

By Jan Dubiel

Tuesday 10 September 2019

Whole group Circle time in Early Years: vital context for teaching and learning or purposeless and inefficient convention? Scealta Blog| Early Childhood Ireland. Jan Dubiel, an Early Years Consultant and trainer, discusses one of the aspects that is always central to his message that ensuring that educators are clear about and can articulate why they do what they do.
tags AistearEarly Years EducatorsEngagementIdentityIdentity and BelongingIntentionParticipationpurposeReflective PracticeScéalta BlogSíoltavalueWhole Group
4869 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentPlayRelationship BuildingTransitions

Where did the summer go!

By Arlene Forster

Tuesday 03 September 2019

Where did the summer go! Hard to believe another ‘year’ is starting. She’s off to preschool this September… these are some of the familiar statements we hear at this time of the year when thousands of children all over Ireland return or move on to the next exciting stage in their educational journey. A new […]
tags AistearplaySettling inSíoltaSummer
1032 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentRelationship Building

Relationships Matter

By Anne Macken

Tuesday 20 August 2019

As a manager of a full day care setting, I have come to place a huge value on the relationships we have with our families and community. This value is something that is echoed by all the staff in Happy Days because we have to share our ethos, otherwise it just doesn’t work. I do […]
tags AistearInteractionsrelationshipsSettling inSíoltaSleep
2071 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentRelationship BuildingWell-being

A Caring Presence

By Milica Atanackovic

Wednesday 31 July 2019

Throughout my career, I have worked with babies. I fully understand the challenging nature of meeting the diverse and individual needs of babies. It is not an easy job. It is physically and mentally demanding. Too often, we do not discuss the complexities of the role. Every day wasn’t perfect; we can’t strive for perfection […]
tags AistearbabiesrelationshipsrespectRTE InvestigatesScéalta BlogSíolta
1831 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentRelationship Building

Speaking Through Body Language

By Kathleen Tuite

Tuesday 02 July 2019

Early Childhood Ireland has been working in collaboration with universities in Spain, Italy, Denmark, UK and Croatia on the Horizon 2020 Child-Centred Diversity EU Project. We have developed three online modules which present and discuss child-centredness from a number of perspectives.  These modules are free, and are available to educators, students and those with an interest […]
tags AistearBody Languagechild-centred approachHorizon 2020InteractionScéalta BlogSíolta
2299 views
0 comments
folder Relationship BuildingWorkplace relations

‘Taboo or Topical’ – Focus on Women

By Kathleen Tuite

Monday 20 May 2019

I attended an event last week on ‘Perinatal Mental Health in Focus’ in St. Patrick’s Mental Health Services, Dublin. There were a number of interesting presentations which highlighted the importance of a mother’s well-being before, during and following pregnancy. There were thought provoking discussions about women’s physical and mental health during pregnancy and following the […]
tags AistearChildcareemotional environmentmaternity healthMaternity LeaveMental HealthSíoltasupportive environmentsWell-BeingWorkforceWorkplace Relations
1034 views
0 comments
folder Relationship Building

Valentine’s Day – ‘Appreciation Day’!

By Kathleen Tuite

Tuesday 12 February 2019

This time two years ago I wrote about ‘sowing the seeds of love’ with children on Valentine’s day. This year, let’s focus on nurturing those seeds of love with the adults/early learning educators who provide loving care each day to our children. While Valentine’s day is associated with chocolates, cards, flowers and gifts (all ok […]
tags AppreciationblogLovescéaltaScéalta BlogSmilesTeamworkThanksValentine's Day
1005 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentRelationship Building

“Who would have thought a 2-year-old’s best friend would be a 92-year-old who also loves dinosaurs?”

By Anne Fitzpatrick and Carmel Gallagher

Tuesday 29 January 2019

Inter-generational learning is the oldest form of learning. It typically involves learning that takes place in families and communities as part of daily life.   “The most important theme was the development of relationships between the grannies and the children and not just in school, but also in the community when they met at the […]
tags AistearIGLInspired Practice AwardInter-generationalInter-generational learningscéaltaScéalta BlogSíoltaTogether Old and Young ProgrammeTOY Programme
2080 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningRelationship Building

An irresistible invitation to learn

By Caitriona Cooney

Tuesday 11 December 2018

At this time of year, we can get caught up in making and doing and performances. The sentiments in this post apply all year, but this is a timely reminder of the importance of getting silly, the value of laughter and having fun! I recently attended the Cork Autism Conference and listened with wonder and […]
tags AistearAutismLaughterScéalta BlogSíolta
1411 views
0 comments
folder LearningRelationship Building

Shaping community involvement

By Orlagh Doyle

Tuesday 20 November 2018

Sometimes life can throw us happy celebratory times and we know for sure life can throw some difficult and sad times too! In Carraig Briste & Killegney we understand that our connection and support with families through their involvement in our settings develops quality relationships, essential for creating learning and understanding environments for young children. […]
tags AistearcommunityCommunity involvementMotor neuron diseaseparentsscéaltaScéalta BlogSculpturesSíolta
2027 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentRelationship Building

Children living with loss

By Phil Lynch

Tuesday 13 November 2018

Most of us working in the early years sector have experienced grief at some point in our lives, whether in childhood or in our adult lives. This holds true for the families and children we work with. As early years educators, we must be aware that children grieve too. While children assume that their family […]
tags AistearBereavementDeathGriefICBNIrish Childhood Bereavement NetworkLossNational Bereaved Children's Awareness WeekscéaltaScéalta BlogSíolta
2245 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentRelationship Building

The Power of Touch

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 02 October 2018

Touch is powerful. For most of us, a hug or pat on the shoulder from a partner, friend, or colleague can work wonders when we feel down or upset. It won’t solve the problem or make the hurt go away, but it shows us someone is there, someone cares, and the world doesn’t seem quite […]
tags scéaltaScéalta BlogTouch
25338 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningRelationship Building

Interacting with the Brain

By Fiona Kelleher

Tuesday 25 September 2018

As I read last week’s Scéalta blog post, I really started to think about the important role of the adult working with children under the age of three. Kathleen Tuite discussed care routines for children under three and how these times are a wonderful opportunity to build trusting relationships with children. I couldn’t agree more. […]
tags BrainCare routinesrelationshipsscéaltaScéalta Blog
1684 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentRelationship Building

Under 3s – Care-giving Routines

By Kathleen Tuite

Tuesday 18 September 2018

Now that we are moving into the third week of September, we want to focus on care routines for young children. In early childhood care and education settings, care routines form an important part of the young child’s day. These are busy periods for educators, attending to nappy changes, sleep requirements and mealtimes, but also […]
tags AistearCare-giving routinesInteractionsNuturing interactionsRoutinesscéaltaScéalta BlogSíoltaunder 3's
8807 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentRelationship Building

Visitors – A Child’s View!

By Lorraine O'Connor

Tuesday 11 September 2018

The early childhood environment is a place in which children feel safe, it is their sanctuary. They need to feel safe and secure, so they can learn and develop in this space. However, throughout the day, many people walk into their room. Children, parents, grandparents, other practitioners, the manager, or the cook. Externally, you may […]
tags AistearcommunicationEnvironmentIdentityscéaltaScéalta BlogSíoltaVisitors
2645 views
1 comments
folder Relationship BuildingTransitions

Getting to know you

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 04 September 2018

Now that the initial new year busyness is easing, the ‘new’ children are settling in and parents are a bit less anxious about letting their little ones off to embark on a new journey.  We think about building a community in the preschool and we know that it takes more than a few weeks of […]
tags AistearFamily wallLearning journalsrelationshipsSettling inSíoltatransitionsWendy Lee
5489 views
3 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningRelationship Building

Mixing the ages!

By Sarah O'Leary

Tuesday 14 August 2018

With the introduction of the second free preschool year, we in Cheeky Cherubs began questioning how we could best integrate children of varying ages into the same space. We operated as a traditional preschool up to 2014, where children were cared for in separate rooms according to age, only having the opportunity to mix with […]
tags AistearcommunicationcurriculumEmpathyMixed age groupsscéaltaScéalta BlogSíolta
5933 views
2 comments
folder Relationship BuildingTransitions

Prexit (the preschool exit)

By Aisling Hearne

Tuesday 26 June 2018

We all know the feeling of closing one chapter in life and opening a new one. Some people sail through this transition seamlessly and for others it is an unsettling period. I belong in the latter of the two.  I seek a sense of closure, a moment of reflection and a chance to recap on […]
tags AistearExit interviewGratitudeImpactPrexitscéaltaScéalta BlogSíoltaThank youtransitions
3989 views
3 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningRelationship Building

‘I feel complete now’

By Breda Joyce

Wednesday 09 May 2018

In May 2008 my husband and I adopted a 6-month old baby girl from Vietnam. She has brought us nothing but joy and happiness since then. Kayla has always had a keen interest in her birth country, and we have marked her cultural celebrations such as Tet (Vietnamese New Year) every year. Her birthday is […]
tags AdoptionAistearBelongingIdentitySíoltaVietnam
1724 views
1 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningRelationship Building

Inspired to Document

By Orlagh Doyle

Tuesday 27 March 2018

Modern day practice in early years education brings with it necessary documentation and our learning stories are simply an extension of this, however taking part in the learning story awards brings the added benefit of making our experiences meaningful and insightful for families and the wider community. We take great pride in the opportunities we […]
tags AistearAwards 2018communityEducator of the Year AwardInspired Practice AwardLearning Story AwardsSíoltaWell-Being
2512 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningRelationship Building

National Holiday!

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 13 March 2018

It’s March and so our thoughts turn to celebrating our National Holiday…St Patrick’s Day. Harps and Shamrocks abound and everything appears though a greenish haze. Leprechauns and shillelaghs are produced and we all feel proud to be Irish. Indeed, the whole world seems to claim Irishness, with rivers dyed green and buildings bathed in green […]
tags AistearCelebrationsCultureIrishLeprechaunsNational HolidaySíoltaSnakesSt. Patrick's Day
2441 views
1 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningRelationship Building

Childcare – A Bad Job?

By Deborah Reynolds

Tuesday 06 March 2018

The phrase ‘I love my job’ is one you’ll often hear from Childcare Practitioners. It’s a feeling I share, I find my job very rewarding. It’s a privilege to be trusted with the care and education of Children under 5. I take my job seriously, I’m a professional, I’ve earned an education and my years […]
tags AistearChildcareChildcare Barometer 2018ProfessionalisationSíoltaTrade Unions
32268 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningRelationship Building

Spotlight on Biting

By Milica Atanackovic

Tuesday 27 February 2018

From an adult perspective, biting is an anti-social behaviour. It is grossly inappropriate to negotiate a situation or express your frustrations, sensory overload or teethache woes by biting your peers. With a child who has only a few years of life experience, the behaviour of biting shouldn’t be seen through an adult lens. As adults […]
tags AistearBehaviourBitingECCEemotionsFrustrationsScéalta BlogSíolta
5231 views
3 comments
folder ArtDevelopmentLearningPlayRelationship Building

Feel the Love

By Evelyn Egan Rainy

Tuesday 06 February 2018

As we emerge from the dark dreary days of January, Valentine’s Day heralds the coming of Spring and love is definitely in the air. No sooner did we ‘ring out the old, ring in the new’, than shop windows were adorned with red and pink love hearts, helium balloons, imitation roses, designer chocolates and Hallmark […]
tags AistearCITCork Institute of TechnologyFabricLoveScéalta BlogSíoltaValentine's Day
6179 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningRelationship Building

Our vision of children

By Alicia Cormican

Tuesday 09 January 2018

We all hold a set of personal core values and beliefs. Quite often these influence how we see children and how we conduct ourselves in our day to day lives within our classrooms. I value active participatory learning and therefore aim to support children through their active engagement with the environment, the people around them […]
tags ChildrenInspired Practice AwardLearning StoriesScéalta Blog
2867 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningRelationship Building

Keeping the Magic Alive

By Kathleen Tuite

Thursday 04 January 2018

Christmas comes but once a year and despite a long lead up, for many young children the experience of Christmas is only felt once Christmas Day arrives. Early years settings have been busy for months with preparations for Christmas, decorating the rooms, singing songs, making decorations, supporting children to pick out gifts from Santa and […]
tags AistearchristmascurriculumMagicScéalta BlogSíolta
2076 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningRelationship Building

Celebrations – New Traditions and Shared Stories

By Elaine Hynes

Tuesday 19 December 2017

Early childhood settings bring children, families and educators from different cultures and backgrounds together and with each child and family comes a unique story. The wonderful thing is that we all get to benefit from these stories and to draw on aspects of them all, to create new shared stories. This brings incredible richness and […]
tags AistearCelebrationschristmasLearning StoryrelationshipsSíoltaTraditions
3762 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningPlayRelationship BuildingResearch

Budget 2028 anyone?

By Frances Byrne

Tuesday 03 October 2017

The pace of change in the early years sector is something which only those of us trying to engage with it, can begin to grasp.  When your role, as mine does, involves analysing and responding to this change on behalf of a large, and growing membership, sometimes the grip feels quite tenuous, such is the […]
tags AffordabilityblogBudget 2018ECCEQualityScéalta BlogSustainability
2284 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningRelationship Building

Why ‘Time Out’ is ‘Out’!

By Lorraine O'Connor

Tuesday 26 September 2017

If you were asked to wear a jumper today that you had 10 years ago, would you? Probably not; it might be outdated, not in fashion, it doesn’t suit your figure or perhaps it doesn’t fit! A similar question – would you use time out to support a child’s behaviour today? We can say the […]
tags AistearBehaviourSelf-regulationSíoltaSupernannyTime OutWell-Being
7687 views
2 comments
folder LearningPlayRelationship Building

Thank you for the stories Rachel

By Dr. Carmel Brennan

Monday 19 June 2017

I’m reminded of the power of telling everyday anecdotes and stories – the small little incidents that happen throughout the day. They give parents an insight into the everyday and at the same time into their children’s growing relationships and abilities.
tags baby roomparentstransitions
5210 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningRelationship BuildingTransitions

What’s in a name?

By Lorraine O'Connor

Tuesday 04 April 2017

Every day we use children’s names without realising. Mark Twain (1835-1910) reminds us names are not always what they seem. The Welsh name Bzjxxllwcp is pronounced Jackson. However, what is in a name? Does it matter if we say a child’s name wrong, shorten it or don’t use it at all? Irelands population is growing, […]
tags AistearblogCultureMark TwainNamesNorwayScéalta BlogSíolta
4611 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningRelationship Building

Capturing the Wonder of Childhood

By Catherine Mc Hugh

Tuesday 21 February 2017

A day in the life of an early year’s educator can be fun, interesting and full of playfulness. It is commonly heard from educators that they love working with children because no two days are ever the same. Children are spontaneous, unpredictable and full of curiosity. We, as adults, need to find our place in […]
tags AistearblogChildhoodcuriositylearningLearning StoriesSíoltaWonder
5531 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningPlayRelationship BuildingTransitions

Priceless Times

By Emma Reilly

Tuesday 14 February 2017

There’s only one thing more precious than our time and that’s who we spend it on Leo Christopher Recently I was fortunate to be part of an Erasmus plus trip to Italy to job shadow in early years’ services in an area called San Miniato. I visited ‘Nido Pinocchio’ infant and toddler centre and came […]
tags ERASMUS+ItalyroutineSan MiniatoSelf Help SkillsShoesTimetransitions
4669 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningPlayRelationship Building

Valentine’s Day – Sowing The Seeds of Love

By Kathleen Tuite

Tuesday 07 February 2017

The 14th of February, a day when it is traditional to send a card, often anonymously, to a person one is romantically involved with or attracted to. A day which generates millions in sales of cards, flowers, chocolates, and gifts. A day that has a long history dating back to the Romans, with little sight […]
tags AistearCreativityFlowersGardeningKilkennyPlantsScéalta BlogSíoltaValentine's Day
4141 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentRelationship Building

Playing Favourites: From Favouritism to Fairness

By Milica Atanackovic

Tuesday 24 January 2017

I received feedback from a family early into my ECCE career and it was a bitter pill to swallow. The parents felt their child was not happy and thriving. One reason they gave was that their child was quieter in nature, but a more contentious issue was that they felt educators (myself primarily) were not […]
tags AistearBelongingFavouritismIdentityrespectSíolta
8307 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningRelationship Building

Playing to strengths

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 17 January 2017

Over the past while I have been thinking about education a lot. Aldo Fortunati and Ariana Pucci, from San Miniato, inspired the practitioners lucky enough to be able to attend their seminars in Cork, Maynooth and Dublin, last October. They spoke passionately about the Tuscan Approach to Early Childhood Education and Care and showed us […]
tags Aldo FortunatiAriana PucciCorkdevelopmentdublinlearningMaynoothPositivityPotentialSan MiniatoTuscan Approach
4917 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningRelationship Building

Traffic Lights – a child’s perspective

By Milica Atanackovic

Wednesday 04 January 2017

‘I feel a bit sad today,’ said my five-year-old daughter when I collected her. ‘Did anything happen to make you feel sad?’ I asked. She had just started primary school and it was a few weeks into the term. She described a behaviour management strategy in place in her classroom, ‘It’s the traffic lights, when […]
tags AistearBehaviourExclusionlearningplaySelf-EsteemSíoltaTraffic Lights
5111 views
1 comments
folder DevelopmentRelationship Building

Christmas: The way we always do it…

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 20 December 2016

Christmas is the only time these words are acceptable! As early years professionals we reflect, review and keep our practice fresh all year round. However, at this time of year, tradition is key! In any group of people, at Christmas parties, lunches and various gatherings you’ll hear “what do you do for Christmas” many times […]
tags AistearBelongingchristmasIdentitySíoltaTraditions
4284 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningPlayRelationship Building

Sharing Play Stories

By Dr. Carmel Brennan

Tuesday 22 November 2016

‘The tigers can’t be near the giraffes ‘cos they might hurt them’ I’m intrigued by the stories that children tell in their play. They are stories that one player suggests and another player continues, contributing another idea or initiative. So the stories are emergent because the players have to respond to one another’s ideas and […]
tags Aistearplayplay storiesSíoltastories
4213 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentPlayRelationship Building

Young Children and Pets – Emotional Bonds and Enduring Friendships

By Kathleen Tuite

Tuesday 08 November 2016

I have been struck many times watching my grandson playing with our family pet, a small Jack Russell terrier, how he shows such love and affection for this small animal. He treats him like his best friend, he talks to him, shares secrets with him, knows what he eats, helps with feeding him, settles the […]
tags animalsbondsdogsemotionsfriendshipspets
1949 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningRelationship Building

The walls have ears – How does political debate or “adult” dialogue impact on young children’s lives?

By Rita Melia

Tuesday 01 November 2016

It is just amazing how much children hear or assimilate. Watching children engrossed in play one would not expect they are aware of all the things happening or being said in their surrounding environment. I think back to my own childhood and I am struck by recollections which are embedded in my mind as a […]
tags communicationconversationsearslistenlisteningoverhearworries
2062 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentRelationship BuildingTransitions

My personal journey of being involved in my children’s playschool

By Debbie Mullen

Tuesday 25 October 2016

As the mum of Eoghan and Elliot, now 5, being involved in their preschool year was a wonderful experience. The experience affected my life in so many ways – I got to know my two boys as they became part of a group and developed an identity as pre-schoolers, while seeing their individual interests and […]
tags AistearcommunityexperiencejourneymemoriesparentspreschoolrelationshipsSíolta
2704 views
2 comments
folder LearningRelationship BuildingRisk Assessment

Extraordinary curiosity, full of desire and delight

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 04 October 2016

I’m really looking forward to the last week of October this year. This is the week that Aldo Fortunati, from San Miniato comes back to Ireland. He is speaking in Cork on October 25th and in Dublin (with Margy Whalley from Pen Green) on October 27th. Since I last heard Aldo Fortunati speak in Dublin, […]
tags AistearAldo Fortunatilearningrelationshipsriskrisky playSíoltatrust
2990 views
0 comments
folder Relationship Building

Relationships – Relax, Relate, Communicate

By Milica Atanackovic

Tuesday 27 September 2016

In this post I continue to explore Magda Gerber’s RIE philosophy, and I look at how relationships can influence practice. In the first post in this series, I spoke about Respect starting at birth and in the second I looked at how trust can influence practice.  All humans need relationships that are secure, respectful, consistent, and trusting. The […]
tags AistearbabiescommunicationeducarerMagda GerberrelationshipsRIE philosphySíolta
3464 views
1 comments
folder Relationship Building

Respect – It Starts at Birth

By Milica Atanackovic

Tuesday 16 August 2016

We not only respect babies, we demonstrate respect every time we interact with them. Respecting a child means treating even the youngest infant as a unique human being, not as an object. Magda Gerber This quote resonated with me when I first heard it, especially the word ‘object’. Did I do this, I asked myself, […]
tags AistearbabiesrelationshipsrespectSíolta
3516 views
0 comments
folder Relationship Building

Consistent relationships with the under threes

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 05 July 2016

Aistear reminds us that relationships are at the very heart of early learning and development. Through positive early attachments and interactions babies learn to feel secure, to communicate and to enjoy being with people. Some years ago I was in a baby room in a crèche. The room was quiet; many of the babies were […]
tags AisteardevelopmentlearningrelationshipsSíoltaunder 3's
12985 views
4 comments
Valentine's Day(3) Intention(1) Learning through Storytelling(1) Cognitive development(1) democratic citizens(1) Kindness Challenge(1) Pre-School Services(1) Eritrea(1) Inspiring Practice(1) Smiles(1) mushrooms(1) maternity health(1) Motor neuron disease(1) Painting(1) Inspired Practice Awards(1) Sequins(1) Book Club(2) School Age Childcare(1) Shapes(2) primary education(1) UN(1) Digital(1) INTO(1) play pod(1) interacting(2) Children's Rights(3) Our Little Seed(1) Relaxation(1) Trauma-Sensitive(1) Sessional service(1) Engineers Week(2) Celebrations(4) respect(5) Snack Time(1) CCTV(1) educating(1) National Annual Awards 2020(1) Facebook(1) Deirdre Rogers(1) Dance(1) supportive environments(2) Online(1) Drawing(2) Queues(1) communication(4) june29(1) Halloween(2) research(6) ears(1) COVID-19(14) research submissions(1) The Lullaby Book(1) UD(1) Inclusion(3) Access and Inclusion Model(2) pets(1) Self-regulation(1) Traditions(2) Competent(1) Yoga(1) Educators(2) Nuturing interactions(1) Participation(2) SAC(1) linc(1) International Narratives(1) General Data Protection Regulation(1) Mayo(1) Leadership(1) Recycling(2) Spiders(1) Montessori(3) coronavirus(1) Through the looking glass(1) learning hub(1) mental health problems(1) DES Inspection(1) Buddy Bench(1) Vertical grouping(1) National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education(1) Learning Story(1) Performance Management(1) Frustrations(1) Wilenski(1) imotion(1) Brain(1) food(1) Identity(5) aistear blog(3) experience(1) Irish(1) National Pyjama Day(1) PIP(1) dining experiences(1) Social Skills(1) Interactions(3) Research Conference 2019(1) memories(1) Photographs(1) Settling in(4) curriculum(5) Jenga(1) Advocacy(1) Trade union(1) multi-generational community(1) Trade Unions(1) Change(1) Belonging(3) Childcare Barometer 2018(1) San Miniato(4) Siolta blog(8) Interests(1) St. Patrick's Day(1) Research and Professional Learning(1) Cork(1) Early Learning and Care Centres(1) Childhood(1) grandchild(1) ECEC Setting(2) Awards 2019(1) racism(1) Confidence(1) Japan(1) Thank you(1) Aldo Fortunati(4) Wendy Lee(3) InspireMe.ie(1) Early Childhood Ireland’s National Early Childhood Research Conference 2019(1) apps for children(1) Celebrate(1) Pobal(1) Oireachtas(1) ELC(1) Book Review(1) Patterns(1) youdoodle(1) European Project(1) Interaction(1) Frosty the Snowman(1) christmas(9) Pretend Play(1) Self-Esteem(1) Masterclass(2) Gardening(1) life long learning(1) gender bias(1) outdoor environment(1) Prexit(1) curiosity(3) Thanks(1) Teamwork(1) dining(1) Summer(1) GoToMeeting app(1) Arts(1) emotional environment(2) Workplace Relations(3) Partnership with Families Innovation Award(2) responsive relationships(1) Impact(1) Early Learning and Care(1) Universal Design(2) an post(1) Imagination(3) TRAP(1) Family(1) Covid response(2) RIE philosphy(1) science week(2) The Play and Learning in the Early Years(1) Counting(1) Exploring and Thinking(1) Meet the Members(1) Children's Voice(1) early years research(2) worries(1) Blocks(1) Visitors(1) Thinking(1) Diversity(1) annual awards(1) Kilkenny(1) Sustainability(3) Child mental health(1) play stories(2) NAEYC(1) Magic(1) art of the relationship(1) lockdown(1) E.coli(1) preschool settings(1) Mount Everest(1) family time(1) Craft(1) Routines(2) education(2) First 5 transitions for children award(1) Support(1) Shoes(1) Super Shed Stories(2) Pedagogical leaders(1) Research Seminar(1) National Awards 2018(2) Annual Conference 2019(1) Qualifications(1) Reggio Emilia(2) Minister Katherine Zappone(1) ECEC(3) Exit interview(1) Academics(1) Small World Play(1) Fee Play(1) Maths Week Ireland(1) Loving Relationships(2) Rising to the Challenge(2) Kids Own(1) reading(5) quarantine(1) Playdough(1) Educator - Leader in Practice Award(1) Early Childhood Ireland(10) Document Learning(1) planning(1) Self Help Skills(1) conference(1) Grief(1) animals(2) Staff Motivation(1) play pods(2) Iraq(1) Training(2) Creative(1) child-centric(1) early years settings(1) National Childcare Scheme(1) Ariana Pucci(1) dogs(1) Leaders in Practice(1) Cork Institute of Technology(1) CPD(1) Providing Leadership to the First 5(1) Trigonometry(1) Covid pandemic(2) National Council for Curriculum and Assessment(1) Mental Health(4) Awards Night(1) Budget 2020(1) LINC Award for Leadership in Inclusion(2) ECIAwards20(1) Quality(4) Arithmetic(1) Looking Back(1) Employee(1) early childhood(1) Opportunities(1) Looking Forward(1) dublin(2) Dr. Emer Ring(1) DCYA(6) role playing(1) Window(1) Budget 2019(2) Effect of Lockdown(1) listen(1) Mixed age groups(3) Infection Control(1) science(3) Community involvement(1) Educator Award - Leader in Practice(1) Meal time(1) Human Resources(1) Challenges(1) Wrapping paper(1) Mantra(1) Together Old and Young Programme(1) feisty(1) Loss(1) Independence(1) ECCE(7) New Appointments(1) phone apps(1) Glitter(2) Exclusion(1) Degree(1) Nonverbal(1) National Bereaved Children's Awareness Week(1) Sport(1) man up(1) Maria Montessori(1) books(4) Emergent Curriculum(1) UNICEF report(1) development(8) Educator of the Year Award(3) Building Resilience(1) structure(1) social media policy(1) Empathy(1) Engineering Ireland(1) Study Trip(1) Capable(1) Pobal sector profile(1) Orla Kenny(1) National Early Childhood Research Conference(1) Easter(1) Inter-generational learning(2) Seanchaí(1) Reading Time(1) bloom app(1) gender stereotype(1) early childhood educator(2) keep in touch(1) children development(1) Event Guide(1) Early Childhood Ireland National Awards(2) Administrative Burden(1) early years learning(1) World Health Organisation(1) code of ethics(1) Large Doll Play(1) Leadership for INClusion in the Early Years(1) CIT(1) Map(1) Learning Stories(9) childcare services(1) budget(1) preschool(4) Technology(3) Creativity(6) play therapy(1) outdoor play(6) inspiring interactions(1) Line-ups(1) Recycle(1) reopening(1) risk assessment(1) SPICE Framework(1) Christmas Creativity(2) Mud kitchens(1) Irish Early Years Research & Practice Seminar 2018(1) Identity and Belonging(4) Biting(1) Your place(1) Supernanny(1) Department of Children and Youth Affairs(2) Elders(1) Exercise(1) Rich Documentation(1) value(1) Well-Being(10) Design(1) Syria(1) Snakes(1) Stress(2) educarer(1) Family wall(1) Covid-19 lockdown(1) Aistear(130) IGL(1) continual professional development(1) Department of Education and Skills(1) Consent(1) Decision Making(1) Wesco(1) learning bias(1) Italy(1) scéalta(56) Children(4) College(1) Jillian van Turnhout(1) COVID-19 Reopening(2) Equality(1) Death(2) parents(6) Storytelling(7) Gratitude(1) Upcycling(1) learning(19) Albert Einstein(1) social science(1) documentation(4) Culture(2) Rituals(1) Communicating(1) Time Out(1) Primary School(3) Role play(1) listening(1) Laugh(1) Trick or treat(1) European Early Childhood Education Research Association(2) Inspections(1) Growing up Outdoors(1) Lego(2) Early Years Educators(3) Laughter(1) Names(1) collaboration(1) COVID-19 crisis(1) stories(3) Communications(1) Learning Story Awards(2) Mark Twain(1) Running(1) Reflective Practice(1) overhear(1) Playschool(1) early life(1) Annual Conference 2017(2) Certificate(1) EECERA(1) developing motor skills(1) Visual Impairment(1) Graduation(1) NCCA(3) Flowers(1) Leprechauns(1) Reggio Children Network(1) story time(2) University(1) bonds(1) Art(6) Kerry(1) behavioural science(1) National Awards 2019(1) Inspirational(2) Santa(2) Academic Skills(1) AsIAm(2) Feeding(1) Party(1) Twitter(1) education system(1) Toby Bears Camping Trip(1) Síolta Quality Assurance programme(1) Policy(2) online training(1) Online Research Symposium(1) trust(4) Malaguzzi(1) Light table(1) Special Needs Assistants(1) staying connected(1) Winter(1) Liz Kerrins(1) Scéalta Blog(104) Sociodramatic play(1) First 5 strategy(1) Wonder(1) Aistear Siolta Practice Guide(1) Valerie Gaynor(1) awards 2020(1) Reopening Childcare(1) First 5(1) Maths Week(1) child-centred approach(1) blog(53) MECPI(1) RTE Investigates(1) Mathematicians(1) Games(1) Exploratory Play(1) Potential(1) Learning journals(1) Scents(1) Exploring(1) Iceland(1) Kindness(1) ERASMUS+(3) Nutrition(1) Body Language(1) code of professional responsibility(1) HR(1) Youtube Series(1) Confident(1) outdoor space(3) Obesity(1) Child Care(1) MA(1) Performing(1) emotional well-being(1) Builders(1) peer group(1) EM Standing(1) Irish Childhood Bereavement Network(1) Graduate(1) Aistear Siolta in Action(1) Breathing(2) Care routines(1) transitions(10) Vivian Gussin Paley(1) Anxiety(2) Learning Journal(2) Horizon 2020(1) Snacks(1) Margy Whalley(1) Maternity Leave(1) Sleep(1) Learning Stories Award(3) Mealtimes(1) Universal Design Guidelines(1) Plastic(1) Love(3) playleader(1) Early Childhood Care and Education(2) under 3's(3) Dr Mary O'Kane(1) Funding(1) Autism(4) Maynooth(1) Workplace well-being(1) iOS(1) Equality & Inclusion Guidelines Training(1) babies(7) Engineering(3) Mo Scéal(1) Mindfulness(3) Time(1) Magda Gerber(1) Inter-generational(2) movement behaviours(1) Appreciation(1) Positivity(1) Penguins(1) ICBN(1) Inspired Practice Award(6) Health(2) Titles(1) Plants(1) Vietnam(1) Professionalisation(5) United Nations(1) Environment(2) reopening ireland(1) AIM(2) Workforce(1) Treasure Chest(1) learners(1) Seas Suas(1) Awards(2) Story(2) Buddies(1) pablo(1) Care-giving routines(1) annual conference(1) Síolta(137) TOY Programme(1) eating(1) meals(3) Affordability(1) National Holiday(1) Norway(2) risky play(2) EECERA 2016(1) Anthony Semann(1) ReCreate(2) Children and families(1) outdoors(4) community(5) Hand Hygiene(2) show and tell(1) Giraffe(2) Early Childhood Education(1) Little Buddies(1) The Jelly King(1) relationships(18) Early Years Education(1) risk(2) social media(2) Decisions(1) Favouritism(1) routine(2) Socioemotional development(1) Engagement(1) Adverse Childhood Experiences(1) Early Years(1) journey(1) Proceedings Journal(1) children’s learning(1) Infectious diseases(1) Limerick(1) Children's Research Network(1) Traffic Lights(1) UN Sustainable Development Goals(1) friendships(1) conversations(1) Reggio(1) Treasure(1) Maths(6) UNCRC(2) Leargas(1) Minister for Children and Youth Affairs(1) Sustainable(1) Weather(1) Fantasy play(1) Behaviour(3) Touch(1) Scéalta Book Review(1) Return to Work Training(1) refugees(1) keezy(1) Budget 2018(1) emotions(2) Síolta QAP(1) Maynooth University(2) environments(1) Growing up in Ireland(3) Awards 2018(3) Afghanistan(1) play(35) Fabric(1) GDPR(1) baby room(1) Policy and Implementation Panel(1) Ceremony(1) Digital Devices(1) toddlers(3) Whole Group(1) Tuscan Approach(2) Childcare(3) Pedagogy(2) Adoption(1) Arlene Forster(1) STEM(3) Covid19 crisis(1) Pen green(1) Home Corner(1) Sweets(1) Irish guidelines(1) Xbox(1) Magnavacchi(1) Montessori & Early Childhood Professionals Ireland(1) Bereavement(2) purpose(1) healthy eating policies(1) Music(3) creche(1) Sculptures(1) COVID-19 landscape(1) democracy(1) National Research Conference 2019(1) Investment(2)

SIGN UP FOR BLOG UPDATES

SUBSCRIBE
Site maintained and developed by Cloud Nine