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Anna-Marie Humphreys's avatar

drive me mad !!! what is it about, yes as you say an invitation to play !!!! not read an outcome or objectives and then match tricky words or cvc words , what is the purpose as you say a worksheet in disguise !!!! Free play all the way ... my tuff tray is used for the mass production of bubbles with whisks!!! most of the time

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Alistair Bryce-Clegg's avatar

Well said!

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Debbie Bartlett's avatar

Love this! I’m hoping to have CP in Year 1 in September. A big shift for the school. I’m already in Early Years and can’t wait to implement. The texts you have provided are really useful. Thanks 🤩

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Alistair Bryce-Clegg's avatar

Brilliant! Good luck with the CP in Year 1 🤩

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Jess's avatar

This really resonates. I find it hard sometimes because so much of what’s popular on early years social media is focused on beautifully set-up trays and activities, which can unintentionally give people the wrong idea about what quality early years really is.

I often feel like because I’m not spending ages with a chalk pen or creating something Insta-worthy, I come across as less motivated or like I’m not setting up my classroom for learning… when actually, the learning is in the children, not the tray!

Every now and then it makes me second guess myself, even though I know deep down that a rich, enabling environment doesn’t have to be ‘pretty’ to be powerful.

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Alistair Bryce-Clegg's avatar

Go with your gut Jess - you are absolutely doing the right thing. There are SO many social media accounts out there with lots of followers that promote 'play based learning' that has very little to do with play - but looks 'pretty' and they definitely aren't powerful! 💥

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Emily Richards's avatar

All of my Team got a tough tray lecture at the end of last year. Some thing along the lines of "When I first started in childcare tough trays didn't exist..."

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Alistair Bryce-Clegg's avatar

😂 It is hard to imagine a word without Tuff Trays - when all you had was a table!

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Presently Goods's avatar

Kids do the most amazing things when they are just free to play - it really is fascinating!

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Alistair Bryce-Clegg's avatar

Yes, they are amazing!

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