Mar-Children’s Belonging & Wellbeing Advocate

16/06/2026

Child Psychologists & Theorists and their perspective on PLAY ♥️

14/06/2026

💛💛💛💛

Why Slow Pedagogy Matters More Than Ever

In a world that seems to be moving faster every day, it's easy for early childhood settings to become caught up in routines, schedules, transitions, documentation requirements and the pressure to always be doing more.

What if children need more time to wonder, to play, to connect, to revisit ideas and to simply be?

Slow pedagogy is not about doing less. It's about being more intentional with our time, relationships and decision-making. It's about creating space for deep learning, meaningful interactions and genuine wellbeing for both children and educators. Slowing down has a wonderful effect on educator wellbeing too!

It also has strong connections to trauma-informed practice. When we slow down, we create opportunities to build secure relationships, respond to children's individual needs, reduce unnecessary stress and provide the predictability and emotional safety that many children need to thrive. Rather than rushing children through the day, Slow Pedagogy encourages us to notice, listen and respond with greater sensitivity and care.

Now more than ever, we need to reflect on the pace of our days. As educators we can ask ourselves

- Are children being given enough time to become absorbed in their play? Like, deeply absorbed!

- Do our routines support or interrupt learning?

- Are we creating environments that foster calm and connection, especially during arrivals at the service?
Just think about if you have loud disco music playing on arrival. What message is that portraying to children in the early mornings.

What messages does the pace of our day send to children about what we value? What do our practices demonstrate to children? What about our environments?

Sometimes slowing down isn't about having more time, It's about using the time we have differently. In the end, we all have the same amount of time in the day, it's about what values the individual services and educators hold. And remember Slow Pedagogy will look different in different services, as our community context matter!

Do you think early childhood education has become too rushed? Do you think childhood itself has become too rushed?

11/06/2026

“Perhaps the simplest advice I can offer parents concerned about preparing their children for the world is this: let them play more.” - Sir Ken Robinson, taken from ‘You, Your Child and School’ (Penguin, 2018)

In celebration of ’International Day of Play’

LEGO UNESCO UNICEF The LEGO Foundation

09/06/2026

Only 3 more days! Are you ready?

04/06/2026

16/05/2026

To My Fellow Early Years Colleagues 🌈

To the ones who greet each morning
With tired eyes but open arms,
Who wipe the tears and sing the songs
And fill young hearts with calm.

To the ones who kneel on tiny chairs
And listen with their whole heart too,
Who notice every little change
Sometimes before parents do.

To the ones who pour out kindness
In a world that asks for more,
Who stay long after closing time
Sweeping sand from off the floor.

To the ones who carry children
Through big feelings, fears, and change,
Who make each child feel safe enough
To learn, explore, and play.

To the ones who rarely hear it,
Who question if they’ve done enough,
Please know the work you do each day
Is shaping futures through your love.

Because early years is not “just play,”
And care is never “just a job,”
You are the steady, gentle presence
Children build their whole world from.

So this is for the childminders,
The nursery staff, the teachers too…
For every early years professional
The world is better because of you. 💗

©️ The Young Ones Childminding🌈

As Childminding Week comes to an end, I just want to say thank you to every early years professional.
This sector is filled with some of the most inspiring, compassionate, and supportive people I’ve ever met, and I’ll always be grateful for the connections and encouragement it has brought into my life.

This poem is for all of you! 🫶🏻

With Love,
Georgina ❤️

05/05/2026