Some discovered marks they believed were tiny monster footprints, while others found leaves and feathers, suggesting they fell from the monster's body. This simple activity has created numerous learning opportunities, including children drawing their interpretations of the monster, and even sculpting their own Shush Monsters from clay. He is also the creator of the Message Centre, Drawing Club, and Play Projects, as well as the delightful Play School TV, an exploration of the power of make-believe based on his approach to outdoor play, Adventure Island – a wonderful way to open up a world of creativity, language, story and joy: education done with children, not to them.

If these are questions you are having or if you are seeking success in your Early Years setting then “Can I Go And Play Now. As adults, we encouraged the children to think about what the monster might look like, using all of these clues. Of course the government change is also in our hands so let's stand together and voice the change we want to see. Greg is an advocate for next steps planning as this closely follows what the children want to learn about and discover. Greg also explores the definition of play – what it is and what it isn’t – and the challenging role of the Early Years teacher.Greg also explores the definition of play – what it is and what it isn’t – and the challenging role of the Early Years teacher. And finally, what kind of feedback have you received from fellow educators since starting ‘CAN I GO PLAY NOW?

I advise all to read, EYFS practitioners, KS1 teachers, KS2 teachers, Child minders, Ofsted inspectors and any member of an SLT. and ‘School and the Magic of Children’ explore how education can be an adventure with children rather than something done to them. I look forward to continuing to incorporate these incredible tools and suggestions into our learning opportunities. This year I have been looking for fun and exciting ways to help the children in our FS2 classes develop language and literacy skills.If, like me, you have already worked in a variety of education systems and perhaps work in the independent sector with more freedom to do what you want, then none of the ideas will be especially new. Plus he suggests essentially uplevelling the role label of TA to meet on the level of the teacher’s role label. In our learning landscape (continuous provision AKA the environment), we have all the tools we need to create awe and wonder.

If you are a Reception teacher, new to the game or have been at it for years, you need to read this book! School And The Magic of Children’ is an exploration of the very soul of childhood, leading us on an adventure into the world of Story via Drawing Club and then into a new lens to look through at play itself with the concept of Play Projects. Do you want to open up the magic world of tales and story to children whilst at the same time enriching their language skills, developing their fine motor and sharing really special time with them?The teachers have gained so much for it as well and found it fun and rewarding to teach and explore with. We need more people like Greg Bottrill and Alistair Bryce-Clegg to champion the effectiveness of play before childhood is swept away from children in favour of sitting at tables and learning by rote, because that's the only real learning that happens in a foundation classroom, right? a whole class followed by time with children exploring their ideas and creativity that can be adapted to how you believe is best. LinkedIn and 3rd parties use essential and non-essential cookies to provide, secure, analyze and improve our Services, and to show you relevant ads (including professional and job ads) on and off LinkedIn. Greg Bottrill's revolution to put play at the heart of Early Years is voiced with such eloquence and good humour in his book.