Safeguarding (2)
Trustworthy Online Resources for Early Years Children
Trustworthy Online Educational Resources for Early Years Children.Rose Dias25 September 2024 Here are some trustworthy websites that offer great resources for early years children: BBC Bitesize: Offers a variety of educational content for early years and pre-school children. It includes fun activities, videos, and games to support learning at home1. National Literacy Trust: Provides resources and tools for early language development and parental engagement. Their “Words for Life” section is particularly useful for activities and support to improve language, literacy, and communication skills2. CBeebies: A BBC channel specifically for young children, offering educational games, videos, and activities that are both fun and educational1. Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood: Focuses on the importance of early childhood development and provides resources and research to support positive physical, emotional, and cognitive development3. Early Education: Offers a range of free ideas and resources to support play and learning at home, suitable for early years and primary-aged children4. These websites are designed to be engaging and educational, making learning fun for young children while providing valuable support for parents and practitioners. Below are some additional trustworthy websites for early years children:Sesame Street:Offers a wealth of educational games, videos, and activities featuring beloved characters. It’s designed to help children learn about numbers, letters, and social skills in a fun and engaging way.PBS Kids:Provides a variety of educational games and videos that cover a wide range of topics, from math and science to reading and social skills.Starfall:Focuses on early literacy and math skills through interactive games and activities. It’s particularly useful for helping children learn to read.Scholastic Early Learners:Offers a range of resources, including printable activities, interactive games, and educational videos, to support early learning at home.Funbrain Jr.:Aimed at preschoolers, this site offers educational games and activities that help develop early literacy, math, and problem-solving skills.Oxford Owl:Provides free eBooks, educational games, and activities to support reading and math skills for young children.ABCmouse:A comprehensive early learning app that covers reading, math, science, and art through interactive lessons and activities.These websites are designed to be both educational and entertaining, making learning a fun experience for young children. If you need more recommendations or have any specific needs, feel free to ask! You can also read 'Online Safety in Early Years Settings: A fun guide for Parents and Practitioners'' on our blog - cygnets-childcare.co.ukReference:1. bbc.co.uk 2. literacytrust.org.uk 3. royalfoundation.com4. early-education.org.uk5. independent.co.uk6. Sesame Street - sesamestreet.org 7. PBS Kids - pbskids.org8. Starfall - starfall.com 9. Scholastic Early Learners - scholastic.com/parents10. Funbrain Jr. - funbrainjr.com11. Oxford Owl - oxfordowl.co.ukABCmouse - abcmouse.com
Online Safety in Early Years Education: A fun guide for Parents and Practitioners
Online Safety in Early Years Education: A Fun Guide for Parents and Practitioners.Rose Dias25 September 2024 A Fun Guide to Keeping Kids Safe in Education Why Safety Matters: For Kids: Just like superheroes need protection from villains, kids need to be kept safe from harm. Safeguarding ensures they can learn and play in a secure environment. For Adults: You’re the guardians of these little heroes, ensuring they’re safe and sound while they explore and learn. Key Points for Practitioners: Be a Role Model: Show kids how to stay safe by setting a good example. Think of yourself as their safety superhero! Educate: Teach children about safety in a fun and understandable way. Use stories, games, and activities to get the message across. Supervise: Keep an eye on the kids to make sure they’re safe. Just like a lifeguard watches over swimmers, you’re there to keep them out of danger. Follow Policies: Stick to the rules and guidelines of your setting to ensure everyone stays protected. Tips for Parents: Monitor Activities: Keep an eye on what your child is doing, both online and offline. Think of it as being their safety sidekick. Set Boundaries: Establish clear rules for what’s safe and what’s not. It’s like drawing a map of safe zones for your child. Communicate: Talk to your child about their day and encourage them to share any worries. Open communication is your secret weapon. Common Risks: Inappropriate Content: Kids might come across things that aren’t suitable for their age. Be their filter and guide them to safe content. Stranger Danger: Teach kids to be cautious about who they interact with, both online and in person. Not everyone is a friendly face. Privacy: Make sure kids know not to share personal information with strangers. Their identity is their secret identity! Practical Steps for Practitioners and Parents: For Practitioners:Training: Keep your online safety skills sharp with regular training sessions and workshops arranged and recommended by Cygnets.Engagement: Get parents involved in online safety chats and share handy resources with them. Encourage parents to read the Cygnets Childcare Family Support blog written for Cygnets Childcare Community and beyond.Reporting: Know the drill for reporting any online safety hiccups or incidents. For Parents: Parental Controls: Use parental controls on devices to block inappropriate content. It’s like putting up a safety shield. Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest safety tips and trends. Knowledge is power! Support: Encourage your child to talk to you if something feels off. Be their trusted confidant. Creating a Safe Environment: Secure Networks: Ensure your internet connection is safe and has the right filters. Think of it as building a digital fortress. Device Management: Regularly check and update security settings on all devices. Keep those gadgets safe and sound. Digital Footprint: Teach kids about leaving a positive digital footprint. Their online actions are like their superhero legacy! Encouraging Positive Behaviour: Respect: Promote kindness and respect in all interactions. Every hero should be kind! Critical Thinking: Encourage kids to think twice about the information they find. Not everything is as it seems. Balance: Help kids balance screen time with other activities. Even superheroes need a break! Resources and Support:Websites: We will point Cygnets Childcare Redhill parents and practitioners to trustworthy websites for more online safety tips in the upcoming updates to this article and in a separate article called ''Trustworthy Online Resources for Early Years Children'Helplines: We will provide contact details for helplines and support services for any online safety worries in the upcoming updates to this article. you can also find some contact details in Cygnets Childcare Redhill Safeguarding Policy.Workshops: We are happy to organize fun workshops and info sessions for Cygnets Childcare parents and practitioners to chat about online safety. Please let us know if you wish us to arrange a workshop. By working together, parents and practitioners can create a safe and fun environment for children to learn and grow. Remember, safeguarding is a team effort and an ongoing mission. If you have any more questions or need extra resources, don’t hesitate to reach out!