Blog | Phoenix Support For Educators

10 Articles

Group time × Flow in early years ×

Are We Supervising Children? Or Are We Looking at Them?

Disclaimer: This is Part 2 of this series! If you'd like to read part one, click here . Supervision in early years education extends far beyond simple head counts or rigid supervision plans. It is a d...

Active Supervision Active supervision Child protection Child safety Child supervision guidelines Compliance Flow in early years National Quality Framework (NQF) National Quality Standard (NQS) Risk assessment Trauma informed practice

26 Jan 2025

Throwing Away the Supervision Plan – Finding Effective Supervision Strategies That Work

Ensuring the safety and well-being of children is at the heart of every early learning service. Active supervision stands as a fundamental strategy in this effort, going beyond simply being present an...

Active Supervision Active supervision Child protection Child safety Child supervision guidelines Compliance Flow in early years Planning & programming Risk assessment The Phoenix Cups® Framework

19 Jan 2025

Reclaiming Play

Let’s face it: childhood today looks a bit different than it used to. When was the last time you saw a child climb a tree like it was Mount Everest or turn a pile of sticks into a pirate ship? If you ...

Barefoot Children and technology Children's development Children's wellbeing Emotional regulation in children Fine motor skills Flow in early years Group time Loose parts Nature play Physicality Play-based learning Risky play Sensory development Sensory play Sensory processing Wellbeing and exercise

12 Jan 2025

How to Explore Maths in the Early Years

Mathematics… A subject that every student either loves, or loves to hate. So how do you foster a love of, or appreciation of maths in young children? First, I want to tell you a little story. A story ...

Flow in early years Mathematics and numeracy Play-based learning School readiness

14 Mar 2024

The Day I "F'd Play Up"

There was a small group of children in the home corner. They had been busy there for quite some time, so I decided to sit with them and join in their play... ya know "Scaffold", "extend the play", "Ma...

Child-led learning Childhood memories Flow in early years Imaginative play Play advocacy Play-based learning

9 Feb 2024

Children aren't born in litters, so why teach as if they are?

Before I answer the question posed in the title of this blog,let’s remind ourselves of the purposes of group story and song sessions in early childhood settings. Purposes of group story and song sessi...

Child attention span Flow in early years Group time Language and literacy Language development Literacy development Mathematics and numeracy Music in early years Pedagogy Play-based learning Professional development Reading in early years School readiness Singing in early years Transition to school

16 July 2023

The day we met Jet Pack Man; A story about fun cup filling

Transitions were not Jaxon’s favourite thing. In fact, he would resist every one of them. Time to go inside? Nope. Time to wash our hands? I don’t think so. Group time? Not happening. Jaxon taught his...

Behaviour guidance Behaviour management Child engagement Critical reflection Flow in early years Fun Cup® Group time Imaginative play Play advocacy The Phoenix Cups® Framework

29 Oct 2021

The Advocate for Childhood

Let’s discuss ‘that child’ found in many education and care settings. However, let’s not label him ‘that child’, and respectfully use his real name, Jacob. Jacob is spirited, energetic and a non-confo...

Child-led learning Childhood advocacy Flow in early years Freedom Cup® Group time Intrinsic motivation Nature play Play advocacy Professional development Risky play School readiness Sensory development The Phoenix Cups® Framework The delight of childhood

30 June 2021

Taking the ego out of teaching

DOWNLOAD PDF PRINTABLE HERE >>> As we continue to evolve in our understandings of early childhood research and theory, in particular in the area of neuroscience, we are moving in directions that are i...

Child-led learning Children's autonomy Critical reflection Educational Leader Flow in early years Group time Mathematics and numeracy Neuroscience Play-based learning School readiness

24 June 2021

How do I 'manage' children's behaviour during group time?

FAQ – How do I ‘manage’ children’s behaviour during group time? Children’s behavioural learning needs to be guided, supported and encouraged, NOT managed. Children “behave” as they do because they are...

Behaviour guidance Behaviour management Child engagement Children's behaviour Critical reflection Flow in early years Group time Intentional teaching National Quality Framework (NQF) National Quality Standard (NQS) Pedagogy The Phoenix Cups® Framework

31 Aug 2020