‘Everything is learning for a baby,’ says Mandy Cuttler, head of pedagogyat London Early Years Foundation (LEYF). ‘That means everything is a potential learning opportunity.’
In the baby room, particularly, this means learning and care are inextricably linked.
‘They have to be integrated,’ explains Cuttler. ‘If you’re changing a child's nappy and having a conversation with them, or singing, that's learning. When they are weaning, they’re starting to discover solid foods and learning about different textures, or developing fine motor skills by starting to hold a spoon or cup.
‘A child who is not well cared for can't really be taught because their basic needs are not being met. And a child who isn't being given experiences that stimulate and support their learning and development is not well cared for.’
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