‘Everything is learning for a baby,’ says Mandy Cuttler, head of pedagogyat London Early Years Foundation (LEYF). ‘That means everything is a potential learning opportunity.’
In the baby room, particularly, this means learning and care are inextricably linked.
‘They have to be integrated,’ explains Cuttler. ‘If you’re changing a child's nappy and having a conversation with them, or singing, that's learning. When they are weaning, they’re starting to discover solid foods and learning about different textures, or developing fine motor skills by starting to hold a spoon or cup.
‘A child who is not well cared for can't really be taught because their basic needs are not being met. And a child who isn't being given experiences that stimulate and support their learning and development is not well cared for.’
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here
