When adults choose to return to education, it’s rarely a simple academic decision. For many, it’s deeply emotional. It’s about revisiting a place that didn’t feel safe, stepping back into environments that once damaged confidence, or confronting old stories of “not being good enough.” And these stories run deep. Adult learners often carry decades ofContinue reading “Why FlourishEd Approaches Matter for Adults Returning to Learning—Especially After Negative School Experiences”
Category Archives: STEM Education
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”
Embracing the potential of Forest School Education: Nurturing Children’s Wellbeing, Fostering STEAM concepts and embracing loose parts play
In an age dominated by screens and structured routines, the significance of immersing children in nature has never been greater. Drawing inspiration from O’Doherty’s neurological research (2011) and the timeless theories of Piaget (1968), this article delves into the profound influence of forest school education. By delving into the symbiotic relationship between outdoor exploration, cognitiveContinue reading “Embracing the potential of Forest School Education: Nurturing Children’s Wellbeing, Fostering STEAM concepts and embracing loose parts play”
A Supportive Pedagogy; enhancing the Language of STEAM
As practitioners, we are only too aware of the importance of children engaging with vocabulary and the rules of language through continuous exposure to spoken language, music, and books. Aistear the Irish Curriculum Framework places a thematic focus on communication and the value this plays in enhancing children’s development in Early Education, raising awareness toContinue reading “A Supportive Pedagogy; enhancing the Language of STEAM”
Communities of Practice in the ELC Sector
In 2010 I set up Úlla Beag, an inclusive outdoor green early childhood setting with a play-based pedagogy, delivered under the framework of Aistear. My 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 my locality, asContinue reading “Communities of Practice in the ELC Sector”
Outdoor Environments
Underpinning STEAM concepts the natural way! Research from O’Doherty (2011) tells us that active involvement helps wire the brain; which in turn helps to enhance and reinforce concepts relating to STEAM education. This isn’t a new phenomenon, and in fact, if we think back as far as Piaget’s conservation theory (1968), we see indications ofContinue reading “Outdoor Environments”
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!”
Dr M’s thoughts 