CHILDREN'S EYES

What kind of world is it my friend 
that little children see? 
I wonder if they see God first 
because they just believe? 

Do they see strength in caring eyes 
who watch them as they play - 
or maybe love through gentle hands 
that guide them on their way? 

Do children dream of future times 
when they would be a king - 
or just enjoy their present life 
while with their friends they sing? 

And when the day is over - 
as they close their eyes to sleep - 
do children look forward to tomorrow 
with its promises to keep? 

If this is what our children see 
then it should be no surprise - 
the world would be a better place 
if we all had children's eyes. 

Tom Krause - 2000 
TOUCHING HEARTS-TEACHING GREATNESS, 
Inspiring Confidence, Hope & Worth in Every Child 
Motivational/Inspirational Educational Keynote Presenter 
www.coachkrause.com

More Great Childcare - Collaboration, Networks, Support

In the early years sector it has taken years to build networks and support systems that work together and target the training needs of the providers. Relationships between advisors, officers and settings in many authorities are working positively, even collaboratively with some settings, towards improvement. 

I have been involved in helping to forge these relationships in some boroughs and we have undertaken some fantastic transformational work and seen amazing improvements. Forward thinking authorities know that collaboration is about co-creation. Its the function of genuine communication. 

"In the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed. " Charles Darwin 

There is more work to be done in this arena, settings working together to evolve practice and projects, to support each other with staff with training.  Every child matters and we want the very best for our children and families. Networks, training days and programmes specifically designed with care and consideration to support settings is all coordinated by the early years department in local authorities. 

The proposals in "More Great Childcare" are suggesting that the local authorities should not continue its quality assurance, support and training role any more . Instead, it suggests making Ofsted the sole arbiter. This could have a huge impact on the quality of provision in the sector.  

I'm wondering what your thoughts are about this, will you share ?

Music is all around us all we have to do is listen

Music is all around us all have to do is listen

We sing before we talk, we dance before we walk”  P. Grendrad

I thought that you might be interested in a (just launched) video that Marjorie Ouvry just send to me. She helped to produce it.

It is part of a series of videos on U-tube by the London Early Years Music Network funded by Youth Music and it shows the basic stages of supporting and extending young children’s innate musicality. Their intention is that it will be the starting point, helping staff to be more aware of children’s innate musicality and to give music more prominence in the early years curriculum.

If you enjoy watching it please do pass it on. 

 " I am more and more convinced that if practitioners promote music and movement in our early years curriculum all the other things would fall into place!" Marjorie Ouvry

I totally agree how about you ? 

 

Liz Truss on ratios and qualifications - Respond to the Consultation Now

There is so much frustration, unrest and annoyance being expressed by people concerned with caring for children in the early years sector. Julian has summarised the situation extremely coherently and offers clear evidence to explain why Liz Truss and others must think again!

Inside the secret garden: Liz Truss on ratios and qualifications - an ill-considered announcement

Like Julian and many others I too have concern over the proposals to increase the number of children to staff. This proposal shows little understanding of what children need during this most important phase of life.  Children's emotional well being and safety is most important and also to have staff that are able to nurture the foundational threads of learning across all areas of intelligence is during the early years. Quality interaction must not be compromised!

In my opinion changing the ratios is not going to achieve the desired outcome which is to improve quality, to increase salaries and attract high calibre well qualified staff. No matter what the qualification is if there are 12 children aged 2 with only 2 staff and one member of staff needs to leave the room - its not easy for one person to cater for the needs of 12 children and to keep them safe! 

Another concern I have is the suggestion that Local Authorities are duplicating the role of Ofsted. My experience of working with local authorities is that they have a direct influence on quality and have worked hard in many boroughs to establish trusted relationships with providers to support them to improve their leadership of the settings and EYFS implementation. Settings appreciate the training, support and consultation that they receive. Ofsted will not be able to do this.
There is a consulation on the DFE website seeking your views on how these arrangments could work more effectively. I have responded - Have you?

http://www.education.gov.uk/a00220966/early-educ-childcare-staff-deploy


June O'Sullivans blog on her visit to France is interesting reading on this subject too!

http://juneosullivan.wordpress.com/2013/02/18/a-happy-valentines-date-in-paris-with-french-nurseries/

New Constellations 2013

This time of year, is rich with familiar activities that trigger star bursts of memories from the past (sometimes these are happy memories, sometimes they are sad). 

Ralph Waldo Emerson said: "You have done what you could—some blunders and absurdities have crept in. Forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."

 

Personally, I don't think it is possible or even a good thing to want to forget things, but it can be very useful to take the time to celebrate the past, or to grieve it; and also to find the learning even in the most difficult situations that may seem impossible to comprehend. This can be a rich and fulfilling activity that helps us to reflect on the experiences that enriched life and those that havent.
 
There are many difficult situations around us today, what is most important is how we face them. It is what is in our hearts that matters. To know what is the intention of our thinking, our actions, this is what effects us mostly, and it affects those around us too.

When we shine a new light on past experiences, we can sometimes uncover jewels that we didn't know existed, in our selves and in the relationships we have: with family, with friends, with money; health ; work and with national and global events too.  New insight, can provide us all with a new dawn, a new day and a bright vision for 2013. 

Here are a few questions to help you reflect and to take stock of 2012 and to consider your visions and intention for the new year.

• What have you enjoyed during 2012?
• What haven’t you enjoyed?
• What did all of these experiences mean for you?
• What’s important to you now ?
• What is it that you want and what will these experiences mean for you?
• What will you be doing, seeing, feeling, saying to yourself when you are working, relating, experiencing all that you choose to do during 2013?
• Why will you be doing these things?
• What will this mean for you and those around you?

I am already taking stock my year and I am so looking forward to all of the events and experiences I will be involved in next year.
How about you?

Happy New Year

 
Tracy


www.tracyseedassociates.co.uk

www.tracyseedcoaching.com

 

 

 

 

 

Listening – The perfect gift for Christmas!

This wonderful blog is written by my guest blogger  Elizabeth English BA (Hons), MPhil (Oxon), DPhil (Oxon) www.lifeatwork.co.uk       Why is listening the perfect gift? How do we feel if we're fully heard and understood? Relieved, perhaps! But much more too. When somebody really listens to us, we feel it viscerally; we sigh deeply, our whole body relaxes and responds; we feel valued, affirmed, respected, confident, happy, empowered and ready to move on, to take the next step. Being fully seen and heard brings possibilities of change. Like all communication when it works well, it naturally carries us forward. Who's it for? An empathic listening space is suitable for people of ALL ages! I've yet to meet anyone who isn't thankful when another person catches what they say, or grasps their meaning. Even if being heard doesn't seem important to us on a personal level, the moment we engage over something practical, we need to be understood.  And on a human level, we can all benefit. With the warm, non-judgemental acceptance of true listening, we are seen (or have the potential to be seen) in the clear light of reality -  not just as who we are, but, perhaps more importantly, for who we want to be. We're given the freedom to be ourselves. Note: If there's nobody you want to give it to - you can listen to yourself! When did you last have time to enjoy just being? It may be just the treat you need ... How much does it cost? Here's the catch. It costs everything we have! When we listen fully, we listen with the whole of ourselves. We put down our own agendas and concerns, and immerse ourselves completely in the other person's world. True listening, even for the briefest moment, is total. The other person feels our full attention. We give our human presence, just as we are. Can anyone give it? Listening may be a special gift, but we do not need to be a special person to listen. All that's required is our curiosity. We do not need to be wise, or clever, or funny, or sorted, or calm, or good-looking or even have a good memory. We spend time with the other person, just as we are. And because we are present with them just as they are, we validate their world of experience. We do so without trying too hard; without doing anything 'special'. Now, they can stand on their ground more firmly; they inhabit their world more freely. Which size should I go for? Our listening space is as large or small as we want to make it. What matters is the quality of that space. But if you are short of space and time this Christmas, remember: a little empathy goes a long way! We need only pause for a moment to resonate with someone's words. Instead of dashing onto the next thing, we take time out; it's a moment of sheer holiday spent in someone else's landscape. We enter the dimension Being, not Doing. Here, even a small interaction feels large. For the person we listen to, it's as if we have all the time in the world to take them in. It's ecologically sound! If you're catering for vegetarians or eco-warriors, it's the perfect gift: It creates spontaneous warmth It raises energy levels naturally It's never wasted, and fully recyclable (we can listen as often as we like to the same thing!) No wrapping required! Listening is best seen for what it is. The fewer layers the better. Our warm interest in another person doesn't need pretty words to be appreciated. Without frills and glitter, our listening can be direct and authentic. Fully refundable If your listening gift is not what's wanted - you can exchange it any time, for words. Your words may be what your loved ones want, after all ... True Christmas spirit! Listening never leaves anyone out - even ourselves. Although listening seems to be about another person, at best, it'sjust as much about us. When we pause to create a listening space for someone else, we get a break from our busy Doing mode - and a chance to enjoy a stress-free moment of pure Being. We listen for our own sake, as much as another's: True listening enriches the listener as much as the speaker And the benefits go beyond this. When we drop all expectations and wishes for what another person 'should' be, or 'could' be, but see them just as they are, something magical happens. We discover, and rediscover, the timeless truth, that: If you listen to someone fully, you can't help loving them Postscript: what's the aftercare? Warning: You may need to listen again! (Because the person enjoyed it so much the first time! And I hope because you loved it too ....) _______________________________________ CAN YOU HELP? If you enjoyed reading this tip, you can sign up here: Life At Work: Communication Blog (questions, tips, support)

I'm Only Two

 

I love to run around and around, and climb inside cupboards, too,

To tip every thing out of boxes and put things down the loo

I love to put things around my neck and to be swaddled in a blanket by you.  I need your help when I’m upset because I don’t know what to do.

My emotions wash all over me, like a storm that needs to calm,

I need you to be close to me, with a love that breaths healing balm

 I really enjoy movement: to dance to rock to spin; to crawl and wriggle like a worm on the floor, to put all of my toys in the bin!

I laugh and cry and kick and scream, when I’m tired and I don’t understand. I need you to be close to me, I need you to hold my hand.

I am so very clever, learning more than you can see; my neurons connect in all weathers and lay foundations for who I will be.

I miss my mummy and daddy, please wipe my nose for me, I'm learning about loss and separation, these things are new to me.

I love to experiment with food, with water and mud too, I’m a mathematician, a physicist, a communicator with exceptional perception of cues.

I know what I want and I take it– it’s an exciting way to live – to tell me to share, to say sorry and stop crying will not teach me to give.

I cry, I kick, I bite, I spit I may not let you near, stay close to me, keep me from harm and always wipe my tears..

I’m only two, I need to know that you will shower me with love, to help me grow, to help me know, how to grow the wings of a dove.

I am very happy for you to share this with others
Copyright - Tracy Seed 11/12