Social Skills in the Early Years

Kay Mathieson is Inclusion and SEN Team Manager for an EYDCP (Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership).

Working in Educare Helping Young Children Learn Dealing with Conflict Grown-Ups Make a Difference! Teaching and Learning about Behaviour A Framework for Developing Effective Strategies

`there is much to draw on, especially references to the language that practitioners use, the importance of being reflective and conflict being seen as an opportunity for learning. This book... can be a useful reference for practitioners and Level 2/3 tutors to dip into' - Under 5 `This book will be invaluable for anyone wishing to improve or update their understanding of children's social and behavioural learning - whether experienced or newly qualified practitioners' - Early Education 'This book will be invaluable for all those wishing to improve or update their understanding of children's social and behavioural learning, whether experienced or newly qualified practitioners. It can be used as a training resource either for individuals or groups (there is an easy to use training sessions at the end of each chapter.) Time is taken to explain the need for adults as well as children to be given a safe forum in which to share thinking and ideas. They are described as having similar difficulties and fears to those of the children and, sometimes, the same low self-esteem. References to the importance of high quality of adult child interaction occur throughout the book and good practice in this area is clearly identified and outlined, particularly the need to recognise and work with children in a shared learning environment as 'learning companions' in a 'professional respectful relationship' The book gives a positive up beat picture of the role of the professional, with no place for those who are not excited and 'joyful' at the prospect of supporting children on 'their journey through the day.' The book outlines some skills and strategies for helping children such as 'can do' plans and breaking down tasks into small steps, and suggests that we, as adult learners, can do this too' - Meg Marshall, Training Manager, Early Education