Here, the Warwickshire team was keen to draw particular attention to the rapid development and emotional needs of the two-year-old in a bid to dispel images of 'terrible twos' and replace them with notions of 'terrific twos'. A poem was displayed to convey their message (see below). When planning spaces for this age group, the team advises to bear in mind:
- the range of emotions that the children will experience - interest, excitement, confusion, frustration and so on
- the importance of a caring key person in helping two-year-olds to feel secure and to manage their feelings. Only when a child feels valued can they build the confidence to enjoy the learning opportunities presented to them
- the children's fascination with the world around them and their enthusiasm for exploring
- the importance of free access between indoors and outdoors and open-ended resources - such as the versatile box.
LEARNING SPACES
The team created spaces that together promoted learning in all six areas of learning and included:
1. a cosy corner
2. heuristic play
3. a sensory table, and
4. small-world play.
For more information about enabling environments, visit www.eyfs.warwickshire.gateway.talmos.net/pages/ viewpage.asp?uniqid=12200
Prepared with the help of team manager Joanne Vallis and early years advisory worker Carole Ealing, Warwickshire Early Years Advisory Team