Author: smccauleylambe

• September 12, 2021

  The Great Early Childhood Language War

  Since beginning my journey into early childhood education, I have learned that early childhood education appears to have its own ‘language’. When I think about language, I think first of Brian Friel’s Translations, and how it portrays the “the role and impact of language on human experience” (Larson, 2019). Set in 1833 Ireland, it tells…
• May 27, 2021

  Mindful Scheduling

  Reflecting on placement experiences with early childhood education students provides rich and valuable learning opportunities, not just for the students, but for us, as their teachers. During a recent presentation, a student spoke about her experiences on placement of observing and using mindful practices with young children, in particular, yoga. She enthusiastically recalled how the…
• May 23, 2021

  Motoring On!

  How embracing outdoor learning can positively impact the development of gross motor skills for young children Frank McNally of the Irish Times and former LAI keynote speaker, recently posted a video on Twitter, depicting a bustling Dublin city centre, comparing it to the Latin Quarter in Paris. The video shows people enjoying this recent and…
• May 23, 2021

  Subject Knowledge – Yes Please!

  Teachable Moments and Subject Knowledge in Early Childhood Education We talk a lot in Early Childhood Education, about grabbing those ‘teachable moments’, about ‘spontaneous learning’, ‘child-led learning’ and about extending children’s knowledge. We refer often to higher order questioning, and probing and eliciting feedback in order to delve deeper into childrens’ understanding and thinking. We…