Child Development

Developmental milestones, schemas, language and communication development, behaviour management, and supporting children at different stages.

All Posts Child Development (3) Childminder Business Tips (5) EYFS Activities & Planning (2) Key Stage Teaching (2) Outdoor Learning (2) Parent Communication (3) Safeguarding & Welfare (2) SEN & Inclusion (3)

A teacher instructs students in a classroom.

Child Development

Behaviour as Communication: Understanding and Responding to Challenging Behaviour in Early Years Settings

When a child throws a toy or screams for twenty minutes over the wrong-coloured cup, the instinct is to manage the behaviour — but that misses the point entirely. This article explores why treating behaviour as communication, rather than defiance, is the shift that transforms how early years practitioners respond to even the most difficult moments.

5 Mar 2026 9 min read

Kindergarten children gathered around a teacher, engaging in cheerful learning activities in a vibrant classroom.

Child Development

Speech and Language Milestones: A Practical Guide for Early Years Practitioners in the UK

Early years practitioners are often the first to notice when a child's speech and language development isn't quite following the expected path — but knowing what's typical, what warrants concern, and how to navigate referral pathways isn't always straightforward. This guide sets out the key milestones clearly and gives practitioners something practical to act on, whether they're supporting a child in the setting or talking to a worried parent.

25 Feb 2026 8 min read

a little girl standing on top of a lush green field

Child Development

Understanding Schemas in Early Years: How to Observe and Extend Children's Repeated Play Patterns

Children's repeated, seemingly baffling play behaviours — the endless moving, wrapping, filling, and spinning — are far from random, and understanding why they happen changes how you see everything in the early years setting. This article unpacks what schemas are, where the idea comes from, and how recognising them lets you plan provision that actually meets children where they are.

21 Feb 2026 8 min read