When you watch a baby reach for the grass beneath them, wiggle their toes in soft sand, or splash joyfully in water, you’re witnessing something profound. These simple, natural moments aren’t just adorable—they are crucial developmental experiences. As a psychologist who works with early childhood development, I often speak with parents and early years practitionersContinue reading “The Soothing Power of Sensation: Why Early Sensory Experiences Matter for Babies’ Development”
Category Archives: Contemporary Issues
Learning Theory and Early Childhood Development: A Critical Analysis of Practice
The early years of life represent a critical developmental window, where the foundations for future learning, behaviour, and well-being are established. Early childhood education (ECE) must therefore be underpinned by theoretical knowledge that informs pedagogical decision-making and supports educators in meeting complex developmental needs. However, the use of theory in practice is not a matterContinue reading “Learning Theory and Early Childhood Development: A Critical Analysis of Practice”
Women in the workforce
“Breaking the Bias” I recently happened to have a very opportune chat with a female friend of mine, that provoked some thoughts back to when my own children were in primary school, and if I am honest, I was struggling to keep my career and home life on track. This friend has four young childrenContinue reading “Women in the workforce”
Learning Numeracy the Natural way!
“Maths doesn’t have to be boring“ Numeracy at any age doesn’t have to be tedious and boring, or for that matter limited to the indoors. There is much more to the emerging concepts of numeracy than learning how to count, or recognising the written number or doing sums. If you stop for a minute andContinue reading “Learning Numeracy the Natural way!”
Science all around us!
Supporting basic concepts of the scientific mind. During a recent webinar session with students, I was somewhat surprised to hear their views on how children develop concepts in respect of science and technology in early education. The discussion itself evolved from something completely different, but it struck me that there is a lack of consistencyContinue reading “Science all around us!”
Digital Natives
Technology literate children In recent years there has been a change in understanding regarding young children and technology. I have long since been an advocate for technology in early education, believing that our children as the citizens of the future should be encouraged to use technology in different aspects of their lives. Children of todayContinue reading “Digital Natives”
A Day in the life of a Green School
Author Denise Sheridan MA Student Ulla Beag was set up in 2010 as an inclusive green school, with a Play based pedagogy, delivered under the framework of Aistear. The aim was to provide the experience of an outdoor play environment similar to that in which I grew up; for both my own children and children in the localityContinue reading “A Day in the life of a Green School”
Dr M’s thoughts 