Scéalta – The Early Childhood Ireland Blog

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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
25336 views
0 comments
folder Learning

Reflections on Degree Level Training

By Dr. Mary Moloney

Tuesday 25 April 2017

People often ask why somebody would need a degree to work with young children. The assumption being, that little training is needed to ‘mind’ a child. Thankfully, there has been a shift with regards to the importance of early childhood education and care worldwide, and the complexity of working with young children is increasingly in […]
tags AistearlearningplayScéalta BlogSíoltaTraining
14334 views
2 comments
folder ArtDevelopmentLearningPlay

Playschool: Not what it used to be!

By Deborah Reynolds

Tuesday 21 November 2017

Over the past decade, there has been a seismic shift in how Early Years Services operate. Parents who have used Early Years Services over this time, will definitely have observed these changes. Every year there seems to be new requirements for settings. It can be difficult for us professionals to keep up with new policy […]
tags AcademicsAistearArtEmergent CurriculumparentsplayPlayschoolPolicyScéalta BlogSíolta
11367 views
6 comments
folder DiningLearningTransitions

Snack time at anytime

By Sinead Early O Brien

Tuesday 05 June 2018

Snack time was an area of practice I struggled with but wasn’t brave enough to change until I was inspired by Dr. Mary O’Kane, on the Level 8 BA in Early Childhood Teaching and Learning, to reflect and acknowledge daily transitions in our service. In doing so I realised that we, the adults, were deciding […]
tags Decision MakingDecisionsplayrespectScéalta BlogSnack TimeSnackstransitions
9970 views
2 comments
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Early Years Educators ‘Your Well-being Matters’ too!

By Dr. Jennifer Pope

Tuesday 13 June 2017

As summer approaches, consider the advice they give on the plane before take-off…’In an emergency, put your own life-jacket and mask on first before you attend to your children’. In our day to day work we are usually told to start with the child and be child-centred but when it comes to our health and […]
tags Aistearblogearly childhood educatorrelationshipsScéalta Blog
9084 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 ArtLearningPlay

Making Scents of Christmas

By Evelyn Egan Rainy

Wednesday 06 December 2017

The Christmas Season is upon us, as evidenced by shopping centre aisles filled to capacity with tons of cheap, commercialized, plastic toys. For months now, great trucks thundered up and down the country delivering their cargo of ‘must have’ Paw-Patrol, Nerf guns and Lovabella dolls, stacks of colouring books and arts and crafts paraphernalia. Similarly, […]
tags ArtblogchristmasChristmas CreativityCraftFrosty the SnowmanGlitterSantaScéalta BlogScentsSequins
8352 views
2 comments
folder Advocacy

We need to talk about trade unions

By Deborah Reynolds

Tuesday 16 October 2018

There is a feeling of crisis in the Irish childcare sector. Early years professionals are experiencing burn-out, low pay, unaffordable housing and precarious contracts. Providers suffer the stresses of high turnover, low levels of funding, unfair commercial rates and frustration due to lack of consultation. Many of these issues have been highlighted in Early Childhood […]
tags AistearBudget 2019ProfessionalisationRising to the ChallengescéaltaScéalta BlogSíoltaTrade union
8270 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningTransitions

The power of transition: supporting children to predict and cope with change

By Dr Mary O'Kane

Tuesday 21 March 2017

“To be responsible for your children at the start of a journey is a daunting prospect. To be in a position to influence the route they take and how they view themselves as they travel is even more of a responsibility.” Drummond (1999, cited in Abbott, 2000) Children in Ireland experience a broad range of educational […]
tags AistearAistear Siolta Practice GuideAnnual Conference 2017Dr Mary O'KaneECCEMasterclassScéalta BlogSíoltatransitions
7034 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 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

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 Transitions

Moving from Preschool to Primary School: Identities and Connections

By Arlene Forster

Tuesday 19 March 2019

Were you out and about at the weekend enjoying the St Patrick’s Day festivities? The special day brought crowds to villages, towns and cities across the country as ornate and creative floats passed by carrying groups of excited children (and adults!). While green, white and orange featured prominently marking Ireland’s national celebration, the day also […]
tags Arlene ForsterMo ScéalNational Council for Curriculum and AssessmentNCCApreschoolPrimary SchoolscéaltaScéalta Blogtransitions
5832 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentPlay

Growing Up Outdoors

By Dr. Suzanne Egan and Dr. Jennifer Pope

Tuesday 15 January 2019

Did you know that nearly one in six Irish parents don’t think it’s safe for their five year old child to play outside at home during the day? Irish and international research indicates that neighbourhood safety has an impact on levels of outdoor play in young children. We recently analysed data from the Growing Up […]
tags AisteardevelopmentGrowing up in IrelandGrowing up Outdoorsoutdoor playplayscéaltaScéalta BlogSíolta
5659 views
1 comments
folder ArtDevelopmentLearningPlay

Performing… For Who?

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 12 December 2017

This time of year is full of celebrations, creativity, concerts and plays. But, I wonder, is there a stage where we need to reflect on who this is all for? Surely it is for the children, so that they can experience the joy and wonder of this magical time of the year? I spoke to […]
tags AistearArtCelebrationschristmasGraduationPerformingScéalta BlogSíolta
5514 views
3 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 DevelopmentLearning

Books and stories are important in the early years

By Dr. Mary Roche

Tuesday 24 September 2019

If you were told that you could improve your child’s imagination, thinking ability, vocabulary, oral language, literacy skills, interpersonal relationships, empathy, attachment, and have great fun at the same time, you would rush to sign up for such an amazing programme. Imagine if you were told that you can do it yourself and it’s free? […]
tags readingscéaltaScéalta BlogSíolta
5058 views
2 comments
folder LearningResearch

Admin Overload?

By Amy McArdle

Tuesday 31 October 2017

My name is Amy McArdle and I have been the Policy Officer in Early Childhood Ireland (ECI) since May 2016. My background is in law, human rights and politics, but I have been working in policy for over 10 years. There are a lot of policy issues relevant to early years services like those inspected […]
tags Administrative BurdenAdvocacyblogDCYAPIPPobalPolicyScéalta BlogValerie Gaynor
4978 views
1 comments
folder ArtDevelopmentLearning

Reggio Emilia – Quality Never Grows Old

By Milica Atanackovic

Tuesday 30 April 2019

At the beginning of the year I spent a week with other Reggio Emilia network partners to engage in continuous professional development. It was an opportunity to activate a journey with the Reggio Children Network and discuss some plans towards 2020. Reggio Emilia is a term used often to describe curriculum approaches in Early Childhood […]
tags AistearReggio Children NetworkReggio EmiliascéaltaScéalta BlogSíolta
4925 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningPlay

Montessori Musings

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 16 January 2018

Back when I left school, I knew I wanted to work with young children, very young children. Yes, there was Primary Teaching, but those children were too old! I heard something from someone about Montessori, an approach to working with children under six and I was sold! I bought a book by EM Standing called […]
tags AistearblogECCEEM StandingHome CornerlearningMaria MontessoriMontessoriplayScéalta BlogSíolta
4921 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 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 LearningResearch

Preparing Professionals

By Dr. Mary Moloney

Tuesday 17 July 2018

Is classroom-based learning enough to prepare early childhood teachers for their professional responsibilities?   Early childhood is a time of great opportunity and tremendous vulnerability for young children. Decisions made and actions taken during early childhood, affect children’s attitudes towards, and engagement with, learning for life. Yet, there is no consensus nationally or internationally about […]
tags AistearCollegeECEClearningNational Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher EducationScéalta BlogSíoltaUniversity
4535 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 ArtLearningPlay

The Arts as a Curiosity

By Deirdre Rogers

Tuesday 28 March 2017

Deirdre Rogers is delivering a Masterclass at our Annual Conference: The Art as Curiosity. Click to book >> The Arts are a curiosity and children learn through the Arts. Children have a spontaneous desire to move, experiment and explore. I envy how their imagination allows them to create magical imagery and outrageous ideas, which make […]
tags ArtArtsblogcuriosityDeirdre RogersDrawingImaginationPaintingReCreateScéalta BlogSPICE Framework
4341 views
0 comments
folder Play

Let the Children Play – Children’s Rights and our Responsibilities

By Dr. Emer Ring and Dr. Lisha O'Sullivan

Tuesday 03 July 2018

As early childhood educators, we have a strong belief in the value of play for children’s learning and development. This belief is based on national and international research, which repeatedly highlights the significant contribution of play to enriching children’s well-being, cognitive, social-emotional and physical development and for children’s success in school and beyond. For children […]
tags AsIAmblogINTOlincNCCAplayScéalta Blog
4300 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 DevelopmentLearning

Síolta – Our Journey

By Sharon Skehill

Tuesday 29 May 2018

While our sector is inundated with paperwork, inspections and training opportunities in recent years, one might question why one would take on more work with the Síolta Quality Assurance Programme. Our full day care facility has just celebrated ten years of service and while we began the Síolta QAP process confident of our practice, our […]
tags AistearScéalta BlogSíoltaSíolta QAPSíolta Quality Assurance programme
4055 views
0 comments
folder Advocacy

First 5 – first impressions

By Louise Kilbane

Tuesday 04 December 2018

 19th November – First 5 Launch First 5 – My first day impression! The long awaited day for those of us who work with children in Ireland was finally here – the much talked about, debated, and discussed ten-year strategy was to be launched. Having heard snippets over the weekend in the media, I was […]
tags DCYADepartment of Children and Youth AffairsEarly Learning and CareEarly Learning and Care CentresFirst 5First 5 strategyMinister Katherine ZapponescéaltaScéalta Blog
4053 views
1 comments
folder DevelopmentLearning

‘Tuning in’ with Learning Stories

By Catherine Mc Hugh

Tuesday 10 April 2018

As the final countdown commences to Early Childhood Ireland’s Awards night, the amazing stories from our sector continue to blow us away day by day. The hard work and dedication of the educators, who wholeheartedly devote their energies into providing the best care and education for the children in their setting, is oozing from each […]
tags AistearblogdocumentationLearning StoriesLearning Stories AwardNational Awards 2018Scéalta BlogSíolta
4006 views
0 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 DevelopmentPlayResearch

Young Children: The Human Face of the Refugee Crisis

By Dr. Mary Moloney

Tuesday 24 October 2017

I have spent my life believing that every child has a basic fundamental right to survival, to a standard of living that meets their physical and mental needs; to education, to rest, recreation and play as outlined in the UNCRC. Yet, in spite of this legally binding international agreement, the rights of millions of children, […]
tags AfghanistanAistearEritreaIraqrefugeesScéalta BlogSíoltaSyriaUNCRC
3913 views
2 comments
folder DevelopmentPlay

Social Skills Versus Academic Skills – Why the Conflict?

By Carol Duffy

Tuesday 25 June 2019

Recently we had a call to the Early Childhood Ireland office. A journalist was writing a piece on the importance of developing social skills over academic skills at the preschool stage, and wondered if we had a comment. As I played with the reply in my head, I quickly recognised the complexities of providing an […]
tags Academic SkillsAisteardevelopmentlearningplayScéalta BlogSíoltaSocial Skills
3912 views
1 comments
folder DevelopmentLearning

Reading to Superheroes!

By Aisling Hearne

Tuesday 11 April 2017

As a working Mam, I cherish story time with my son. It is our time. Every night a new adventure. Each story a new place we get to visit together. It is truly my favourite part of the day. Our bedtime routine usually begins with 10 minutes of an intense selection process. If my son […]
tags blogbooksreadingScéalta Blogstory time
3874 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningPlayResearch

Builders of the future

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 07 March 2017

It is Engineers Week this week. The purpose is to celebrate engineering in Ireland.  This starts with us, the educators who are passionate about play, the educators who realise that the very young children we work with everyday are the builders, scientists, architects and engineers of the future! The concept of STEM subjects is a […]
tags Aldo FortunatiblogBuildersEngineeringEngineers WeekJengaLegoMathsNAEYCScéalta BlogscienceSTEMTechnology
3824 views
0 comments
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Looking in on Play

By Dr. Carmel Brennan

Tuesday 05 September 2017

In my previous post Stick to Play, we looked at how children play and how simple loose parts provide opportunities to be creative and imaginative. Just look at the following scenarios and you will see that through all these activities children are building their identities as capable participants, adventurers, possible Mams and Dads and big […]
tags blogFantasy playLearning Storiesoutdoor playplayRole playScéalta Blog
3701 views
0 comments
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Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder

By Carol Duffy

Tuesday 09 May 2017

As I scanned the garden I was struck by the “state” of the place. I pondered how earlier in my life I might have been perturbed about what I was looking at. A natural space not as nature may have intended, but as what it can become when it is a loved place of play. […]
tags outdoorsplayScéalta Blog
3657 views
1 comments
folder DevelopmentPlayTransitions

A Hop, Skip and a Jump to School!

By Dr. Suzanne Egan and Dr. Jennifer Pope

Tuesday 19 June 2018

As we come towards the end of the preschool year, parents may now be focused on the summer holidays and making the transition to primary school. Parents may be asking you what they should be doing over the summer to prepare their children for school. Based on our research, our advice is to encourage them […]
tags AistearblogGamesHealthoutdoor playplayPrimary SchoolRunningScéalta BlogSíoltaSporttransitions
3509 views
0 comments
folder

Wonderful Loose Parts

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 18 April 2017

In the run- up to Easter I was in a preschool setting. The educator had brought in some polystyrene eggs for the children to paint for Easter. She had them on a counter top ready to introduce them when the time was right. One little boy saw them an immediately appropriated them! You see, he […]
tags EasterplayScéalta Blog
3448 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningPlayResearch

Play – No Overload!

By Amy McArdle

Tuesday 28 November 2017

A few weeks ago, I wrote the first of two blog posts called ‘Admin Overload?’, which documented my learning from a day shadowing Valerie Gaynor, member of ECI’s Policy and Implementation Panel and Manager of Creative Kids in Dublin. Since I have no personal experience in operating, managing or working in an early years service, […]
tags AistearblogFundingInvestmentPolicy and Implementation PanelScéalta BlogSíolta
3408 views
0 comments
folder EnvironmentsTransitionsWell-being

Settling Babies

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 09 July 2019

Sometimes we hear of people describing childcare as ‘leaving a baby with strangers.’ This always makes me sad. By the time a baby is spending a full day in the setting, ideally, the relationship between the baby, the educator and the parent should be well past being strangers. The process of settling in, in my […]
tags AistearbabiescommunityEnvironmentrelationshipsScéalta BlogSettling inSíolta
3236 views
1 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningResearch

Change in the Air

By Montessori and Early Childhood Professionals Ireland

Tuesday 10 October 2017

This week within the early childhood education and care sector there has been wide-ranging debate on a scale never seen before; a debate which has been refreshingly professional in nature. On Thursday 5th October, the Irish Times printed an article written by Carl O’Brien in which he discussed the release of a 10-point plan for the […]
tags blogMECPIMontessori & Early Childhood Professionals IrelandQualificationsScéalta BlogSeas Suas
3219 views
2 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningPlay

The Awards!

By Mag Coogan

Tuesday 22 May 2018

In April, Mag Coogan, Owner of the ABC Club in Dunboyne, Co. Meath, was the overall winner of the first ever Early Childhood Ireland Educator of the Year Award. Here’s what happened in the preschool the week after the Awards Ceremony! Returning to The ABC Club on the Monday after winning the Educator of the […]
tags AwardsCelebrationsCeremonyEducator of the Year AwardNational Awards 2018PartyScéalta Blog
3218 views
0 comments
folder ArtDevelopmentPlay

Winter Activities for Children

By Aoife O'Driscoll

Tuesday 14 November 2017

By Aoife O’Driscoll from Inspire Me Ireland   InspireMe.ie is a new online event guide that will allow you find out what’s going on anywhere in Ireland. You can search for things to do, based on your location, specific interests, accessibility issues or even whether you want an indoor or outdoor activity. With the shorter […]
tags dublinEvent GuideInspireMe.ieKerryLimerickMayoScéalta BlogWinter
3125 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearning

Cillian and Adam

By David King

Tuesday 24 July 2018

At Creative Kids & Co., we build our curriculum around the children.  We base it on their interests and on what emerges from our observations within the group.  Sometimes this leads to learning about dance, sometimes dinosaurs or buildings. Sometimes the children’s interests can take us on a journey that lasts weeks, or on occasion […]
tags AistearAutismBlocksblogLearning StoriesLearning Stories AwardLight tableScéalta BlogSíolta
3056 views
4 comments
folder DevelopmentLearningPlay

Stories from the Heart

By Maxine Ryan

Tuesday 17 October 2017

When I set out on my journey writing learning stories I felt very anxious. Would I know what to write? Would I know what to look for? Did I have the right words to explain the story? I soon discovered the more I did it, the more comfortable I became with the process. I realised […]
tags AistearblogLearning StoriesMount EverestScéalta BlogSíolta
2957 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 DevelopmentLearningPlay

Through the looking glass

By Lorraine O'Connor

Tuesday 23 October 2018

Take a moment, look out the window. What do you see? The trees are filled with autumn colours to warm your heart. Bursting with a rainbow of amber, gold, red and green. The rain drops are falling from the sky to glisten the grass with a glossy coat of moisture. The light begins to break, […]
tags AistearchristmasHalloweenScéalta BlogSíoltaThrough the looking glassWindow
2921 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 Learning

Who’s for a Photo?

By Kathleen Tuite

Tuesday 12 June 2018

Have you as an Early Years Educator ever been in the situation in your setting, where you want to take a photograph of an individual child or a group of children and suddenly realise that one or other of the children’s parents have not given consent for the child’s photo to be taken? What do […]
tags AistearblogConsentGDPRGeneral Data Protection RegulationPhotographsScéalta BlogSíolta
2746 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearning

Halloween – A Trick or a Treat?

By Carol Duffy

Tuesday 30 October 2018

Coming so soon after the settling in period, for many children Halloween is often a mixed bag of tricks and treats. On the one hand it can be a treat, a time of great excitement negotiating the emotions of scary and funny, the concepts of real and pretend, and the delights of being out in […]
tags AistearblogHalloweenScéalta BlogSíoltaTrick or treat
2732 views
0 comments
folder LearningResearch

Inspiring Practice in Pen Green

By Valerie Gaynor

Tuesday 24 April 2018

The staff of Creative Kids and Co. from Dublin, were very lucky to spend the February mid term break on a visit to the Pen Green Centre for Under 5’s and their families. The visit was planned to inspire practice, and to get new ideas for our spaces. Pen Green is located in Corby which […]
tags AisteareducationInspirationaloutdoor spacePen greenplayQualityScéalta BlogSíolta
2701 views
1 comments
folder Well-being

Little Buddies

By Samantha Synnott

Tuesday 26 March 2019

Evidence tells us that good mental health is essential for children to learn and achieve. By providing opportunities for young children, and the adults surrounding them, to develop the strengths and coping skills that underpin resilience early learning and care settings can help their children (and staff) flourish and succeed. ​To be effective, the ethos […]
tags AistearBuddiesBuddy BenchLittle BuddiesMaynooth UniversityMental HealthscéaltaScéalta BlogSíoltaWell-Being
2660 views
7 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 DevelopmentLearning

San Miniato: Quality Early Years Education – A Tuscan Perspective

By Susan Quirke-Crowley

Tuesday 10 July 2018

On Sunday June 10th 2018, I had the privilege of travelling to San Miniato, Italy, with a group of 15 like-minded individuals on the Early Childhood Ireland Erasmus+ Léargas Study Trip in pursuit of international perspectives on quality within the Early Years Education Sector. Our host, Barbara, at La Bogetta Di Gepetto afforded us the […]
tags AistearblogCPDcurriculumERASMUS+FamilyLeargasSan MiniatoScéalta BlogSíoltaVertical grouping
2503 views
0 comments
folder DevelopmentLearning

Technology Guilt?

By Debbie Mullen

Tuesday 07 November 2017

Next week is Science Week. When we think of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects, the issue of Technology and the related screen time can be emotive. Debbie Mullen considers this from a parent perspective. When your child discovers your phone or tablet, should you feel guilty about letting them use it? This […]
tags blogEngineeringLegoMathsScéalta Blogsciencescience weekSTEMTechnologyXbox
2481 views
0 comments
folder Environments

Universal Design: Design for all

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 11 June 2019

The culmination of a year and a half of research, consultation, collaboration and learning took place yesterday, June 10,  when Dr. Katherine Zappone, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, launched the Universal Design Guidelines for Early Learning and Care settings. It was a great occasion, marked by inspiring words from many. Minister Zappone spoke about […]
tags AIMAistearAutismDCYADepartment of Children and Youth AffairsDesignJapanSan MiniatoScéalta BlogSíoltaUDUniversal Design
2439 views
0 comments
folder EnvironmentsWell-beingWorkplace relations

Without trust, what is left?

By Gillian Moore

Tuesday 06 August 2019

There has been much debate in recent days about whether mandatory CCTV in all early learning and care services is needed. For me, both as a parent and as a HR Practitioner, this begs the question; where is the trust gone? Is this the legacy we want to leave our children with, that at all […]
tags CCTVConfidenceHuman ResourcesScéalta BlogSupporttrust
2428 views
2 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
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Scéalta is 1 year old!

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 04 July 2017

Máire Corbett and Kathleen Tuite in conversation about Scéalta, a year in the life……. Communication with members is important to us in Early Childhood Ireland. Drawing on the expertise and good practice we see in settings every day and finding a way of sharing that with other members is something we felt should be happening […]
tags Scéalta Blog
2397 views
0 comments
folder Learning

What’s the story, baby?

By Dr. Suzanne Egan

Tuesday 06 November 2018

Lots of book events take place all across Ireland in October during the annual Children’s Book Festival. These events support literacy, promote a love of books and the joy of reading. But how often is a love of books and reading supported for the youngest members of society in early childhood settings, community settings and […]
tags AistearbooksCognitive developmentGrowing up in IrelandreadingscéaltaScéalta BlogSíoltaSocioemotional developmentStory
2311 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
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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
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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
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folder DevelopmentLearningResearch

Time to Shine!

By Debbie Mullen

Tuesday 13 February 2018

Did you read this Blog post last year? Thank you for the stories Rachel! Or, were you in the audience on that wonderful day last September when people like Maxine O’Donoghue, Nickola Cullen, Anne Macken and Alicia Cormican moved the audience to tears with their beautiful stories of child centred practice and showed what committed educators […]
tags AwardsEducator Award - Leader in PracticeEducator of the Year AwardEducatorsScéalta BlogWesco
2265 views
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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
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Minding yourself

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 02 April 2019

Working in early learning and care settings is fun, enjoyable, relaxed, happy, entertaining, amusing, and stimulating. That is why we do what we do. We love being with young children, we love their confidence, their huge capacity for fun, laughter, smiles, love, and learning. However, it is also challenging, messy, and can be very stressful. […]
tags AistearAnxietyChallengesChangeDanceLaughMindfulnessMusicScéalta BlogSíoltaStress
2110 views
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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
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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
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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
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folder DevelopmentLearningPlay

Mixing the Ages: Part 2

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 28 August 2018

In the last Scéalta post, Mixing the ages, Sarah O’Leary described how in her setting, Cheeky Cherubs in Cork, children of mixed ages play and learn together very effectively. I have long been an advocate of children being in mixed age groupings. My initial training was as a Montessori teacher and the Montessori approach views […]
tags AistearERASMUS+Meal timemealsMixed age groupsMontessoriscéaltaScéalta BlogSíoltaTuscan Approach
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folder LearningPlay

There is more to maths than counting!

By Sandra O'Neill

Monday 19 October 2020

I’m not great at maths. My other half thinks it hilarious that I teach mathematics in a university, when I have no understanding of basic math concepts like distance (the two metre COVID restriction is a real struggle for me). The type of maths I teach is maths that can be seen in young children’s […]
tags AistearblogCountingMathsScéalta BlogShapesSíolta
1949 views
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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
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folder Well-being

Mindfulness at Work

By Natasha Bryant

Tuesday 12 March 2019

As a children’s yoga instructor, I often get asked by parents and caregivers for ways in which they can encourage mindful practices with their young ones. Now I could give you lots of different techniques, breathing exercises etc. but my most solid bit of advice would be look after yourself first. How often have you […]
tags AistearBreathingExerciseMantraMindfulnessRelaxationscéaltaScéalta BlogSíoltaYoga
1915 views
1 comments
folder Research

Orla Kenny: A tribute

By Teresa Heeney

Tuesday 31 July 2018

I was very sad to hear of the death of Orla Kenny on July 19. Many of you will know Orla from her work as an artist and more so as the co-founder and passion behind Kids Own, the children’s book publishing partnership. Many Irish early years organisations will have worked with Orla and produced […]
tags blogKids OwnMinister for Children and Youth AffairsOrla KennyscéaltaScéalta BlogThe Lullaby Book
1893 views
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folder Advocacy

Budget 2020: Lacking Ambition, Lacking Direction

By Ronan Kennedy

Wednesday 09 October 2019

The Minister for Finance delivered Budget 2020 yesterday and the general consensus seems to be a national shoulder shrug. The Policy, Advocacy, and Campaigning (PAC) team had been monitoring the leaks emanating from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs over the past few weeks and to a very large degree, we had an idea […]
tags Budget 2020InvestmentScéalta BlogSchool Age Childcare
1877 views
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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
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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
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folder DevelopmentWell-being

Looking back and looking forward

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 22 December 2020

As we approach the end of another year, we traditionally tend to take stock of the year that has passed and look forward to the new year in anticipation. We reflect on what we want to change perhaps and what we want to continue into the new year to come.  But if this year has […]
tags AistearblogCOVID-19Looking BackLooking ForwardscéaltaScéalta BlogSíolta
1735 views
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folder Learning

I say OOH, you say AAH – Book Review

By Anne Comerford

Wednesday 27 November 2019

We love books and reading in Early Childhood Ireland….and we know you do too. Recently Dr. Mary Roche in her Scéalta reminded us why story reading and storytelling are so important for children. We are delighted to introduce our first Scéalta book review from the lovely pre-schoolers in Spraoi Playschool, in Tipperary.
tags Book ReviewlearningParticipationScéalta BlogScéalta Book ReviewStorytelling
1717 views
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Allow me to introduce myself!

By Liz Kerrins

Wednesday 17 July 2019

I’m delighted to have recently been appointed Early Childhood Ireland’s Director of Research and Professional Learning.  I am really looking forward to meeting with members over the coming year, and to collaborating with you in learning programmes to enhance your professional practice. Here’s a little bit of information about me. My academic background is in […]
tags Liz KerrinsNew AppointmentsresearchResearch and Professional LearningScéalta Blog
1707 views
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folder DevelopmentLearningPlay

Singing your praises

By Carol Duffy

Tuesday 20 March 2018

In my corner of the office it’s not unusual to hear me yelp with excitement, laugh out loud, or have tears streaming down my face (sometimes all at once). Often, I am stunned into silent reflection, affected and humbled by the capacity and humanity of you, the early years professionals, who share your stories of […]
tags AistearAwards 2018InspirationalInspired Practice Awardoutdoor playScéalta BlogSíolta
1690 views
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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
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folder Advocacy

Rising to new challenges

By Aisling Hearne

Tuesday 09 October 2018

As a member of the Policy and Communications team at Early Childhood Ireland, I have been exposed to a vast amount of knowledge in my first few months on a new team. Last Thursday, 4th October we hosted our very first Meet the Members event. This event brought together our members and members of the […]
tags budgetBudget 2019Jillian van TurnhoutMeet the MembersOireachtasRising to the ChallengescéaltaScéalta Blog
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folder DevelopmentDiningResearch

How does your body feel?

By Milica Atanackovic

Tuesday 08 January 2019

Open your hand and make it into a fist, that’s roughly the size of your stomach. A child’s stomach is the size of their fist. It’s easy to see how children can easily be overfed but undernourished. A child’s relationship with food starts from day one. We must listen to children when they are saying […]
tags foodGrowing up in IrelandmealsMealtimesNutritionObesityRitualsscéaltaScéalta Blog
1626 views
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folder Art

Wrapping up Christmas

By Kevin McLoughlin

Tuesday 18 December 2018

Ten tips on how families can ReCreate something festive using leftover packaging this Christmas! There’s no denying that Christmas is a special time of year. We all enjoy spending time with family and friends, recharging the batteries and unwinding in front of the fire with a box of chocolates attached to the hip. Of course, […]
tags blogchristmasReCreateRecyclescéaltaScéalta BlogWrapping paper
1626 views
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folder Well-beingWorkplace relations

Together we can do so much

By Kathleen Cash

Tuesday 17 September 2019

“Decisions made about staff are decisions made about quality”- Síolta Standard 11, Professional Practice. I have so many fond memories from my years in Tir na nÓg. I have to say, one of the best feelings is sitting around with my family and team after a big event such as graduation or the Christmas show […]
tags collaborationHRLeaders in PracticeLeadershipProviding Leadership to the First 5QualityrelationshipsScéalta BlogSíoltaStaff Motivationsupportive environmentsWell-Being
1617 views
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folder Environments

Evan’s Story

By Geraldine Delahunt

Tuesday 18 June 2019

Takaharu Tezuka, the famed Japanese architect who spoke at the launch of the newly published Universal Design Guidelines for Early Learning and Care settings on June 10, spoke about inclusion. One of the things he said that struck me was “Children with disabilities need adventure too”. Evan’s story features in the Universal Design Guidelines. Geraldine Delahunt, owner […]
tags AisteardevelopmentInclusionMusicNonverbalscéaltaScéalta BlogSíoltaUniversal DesignVisual Impairment
1596 views
1 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
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folder DevelopmentLearning

Making the world a better place

By Marlene McCormack

Tuesday 19 February 2019

Not a day goes by without sustainability in some form appearing in the news. We clutter the seas with plastic, in Ireland we dispose of half a million coffee cups, and flush away 400 million litres of water every day (Kelleher, 2019). The world that we hold in stewardship for future generations is in danger and […]
tags AistearNational Pyjama DayPlasticRecyclingscéaltaScéalta BlogSíoltaSustainabilityUNUN Sustainable Development GoalsUnited Nations
1475 views
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folder LearningTransitions

Our Week in Iceland

By Fiona Kelleher

Tuesday 27 August 2019

Early Childhood Ireland is delighted to be part of a European Project called TRAP – Enhancing Transition Practices in Early Childhood Education. The countries involved are Croatia, Iceland, Sweden and Ireland. The project aims to enhance and extend understandings of the practice required for transitions from ECEC contexts to primary schools. This project aims to […]
tags AistearEuropean ProjectIcelandScéalta BlogSíoltaStudy TriptransitionsTRAP
1443 views
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folder LearningResearch

Formalised Curiosity

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 22 January 2019

I recently came across this quote: ‘Research is formalised curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose’ (Zora Neale Hurston). As we in Early Childhood Ireland plan our fifth annual National Early Childhood Research Conference, it struck me as very apt. Aistear encourages curiosity. The themes of Identity & Belonging and Exploring & Thinking both […]
tags AistearAlbert EinsteinblogEarly Childhood Ireland’s National Early Childhood Research Conference 2019Exploring and ThinkingIdentity and BelongingPobal sector profileresearchResearch Conference 2019Scéalta BlogSíolta
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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
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folder ArtDevelopmentLearning

Same Thing, in a Different Way

By Lorraine O'Connor

Tuesday 17 April 2018

‘Let’s make playdough’ is a popular sentence with many children. The simplicity of the flour, oil, water and colouring continues to amaze children each time it is made. Each time I engage in making playdough with a child or a group of children, the process appears wonderous, this is evident through their curiosity as they […]
tags AistearblogPlaydoughScéalta BlogSíolta
1338 views
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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 Well-being

Let’s talk about dying!

By Mary Daly

Wednesday 20 November 2019

Mary Daly reflects on her own experience of bereavement when she was a child. She outlines the impact bereavement has on children and how we need to give time and space to understand and how we can support this process. We have included some books that might be useful.
tags AistearBereavementDeathscéaltaScéalta Blog
1253 views
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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
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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
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folder DevelopmentLearning

Budding Engineers

By Lilian Joyce

Tuesday 05 March 2019

It’s Monday again, and as usual the weekend has flown. As you wait for the children to arrive you do a quick visual check around the room. The table in the home corner is set invitingly for four, complete with tablecloth, a small vase of flowers and empty plates. As you wonder what exotic dishes […]
tags AistearEngineering IrelandEngineers WeekImaginationplayScéalta BlogSíoltaSociodramatic play
1204 views
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folder ArtDevelopmentEnvironmentsLearningPlay

What the Children Say – SAC

By Deirdre Horgan

Tuesday 12 May 2020

Deirdre Horgan discusses School Aged Childcare from the child’s perspective and highlights what children want, is play, home-from-home environments, and to be able to relax and feel comfortable after school. They highlighted how important Relationships with family, extended family, friends, childminders and other carers were to them.
tags childcare servicesNational Childcare Schemeplayplay storiesScéalta BlogUNCRC
1068 views
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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
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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 DevelopmentPlayWell-being

So, this is Christmas!

By Maire Corbett

Tuesday 17 December 2019

Over the past few weeks we have been looking back at seasonal posts from the past few years of Scéalta. In this final post of 2019 Máire Corbett reflects on the popularity of one particular post, Performing….for Who?, both 2 years ago when it was first published and on Facebook this past week.
tags AistearChildrenchristmasScéalta BlogSíoltaSiolta blog
667 views
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