Little Minds Matter

Creativity and Wellbeing in the Early Years

Sonia Mainstone-Cotton focuses on how to enhance and embed creativity in the early years to support children’s wellbeing. 

Five core chapters focus on creative mediums – drawing, sculpting and painting; craft; music; dance and drama; and storytelling and poetry – and offer a range of practical ideas and activities to use and adapt.

Anti-Racist Practice in the Early Years

This book by Valerie Daniel addresses diversity and inclusion in a meaningful and constructive way. The holistic approach explores a range of pertinent topics for the early years and demonstrates the positive impact educators can make by developing their knowledge of systemic racism, critically reflecting upon their provision, and embedding anti-racist practice within their settings.

Little Brains Matter

Debbie Garvey introduces neuroscience and will increase the knowledge, skills and, importantly, confidence of anyone interested in brain development in early childhood.

Practical and reflective chapters highlight the multi-faceted role of adults as ‘brain builders’ and encourage the reader to consider how the environment, play and interactions are crucially interlinked.

Developing Child-Centred Practice for Safeguarding and Child Protection

This resource by Rachel Buckler provides early years practitioners with all that they need to be confident and competent as they fulfil their roles and obligations to safeguard and protect children.

Grounded in best practice, it gives practitioners encouragement and advice to help shape and drive practice forward with child-centred motives, practices and perspectives.

Building Positive Relationships in the Early Years

Authors Jamel Carly Campbell and Sonia Mainstone-Cotton have an open and honest conversation about developing positive and responsive relationships in the early years.

The book is divided into three main chapters and each conversation explores a range of key themes, from building trust and listening to the voice of the child, to diversifying practice and creating a setting that represents the wider community.

Supporting the Wellbeing of Young Children with EAL

Liam A. Murphy explores critical approaches to language development and, importantly, their practical application to planning, provision, professional development, and wellbeing.

It provides context and evidence-based strategies to develop strong, child-centred practice in real-world settings, and offers an overview of how educators can work with families to ensure a consistent approach to early language development at home.

A Guide to Mental Health for Early Years Educators

Kate Moxley tackles the challenges that busy childcare educators face with their mental health in what is a wonderful, rewarding, but often exhausting role.

Drawing from "day-in-the-life" experiences and case studies, this book sets out high-quality staff wellbeing practices that can revolutionise the way childcare practitioners approach their job and their own health.

Supporting Behaviour and Emotions in the Early Years

Tamsin Grimmer focuses on the idea that all behaviour is a form of communication and explores central areas such as self-regulation and attachment, offering strategies that can be used to support challenging behaviour.

Each chapter includes examples of practice, reflective questions and an activity for the reader to help consolidate their learning and encourage them to become ‘behaviour detectives’.

Supporting the Wellbeing of Children with SEND

Kerry Murphy introduces readers to a play-rich approach providing both universal and targeted ideas that will support social and emotional development and ensure that children feel safe, secure, and nurtured.

Using the four broad areas of need as a guide, each accessible chapter positions wellbeing at the heart of an effective approach to inclusion and offers meaningful and responsive teaching practices that create a sense of belonging and acceptance.

Outdoor Play for Healthy Little Minds

This resource by Sarah Watkins is designed to help busy early years practitioners to support the mental health of young children through outdoor play.

Using relatable case studies that demonstrate achievable change, the book is full of practical advice and strategies for exploring nature in both natural and man-made landscapes, and includes guidance on how to co-create inviting play spheres with children.