:: The Leaflettes::

The current education agenda rightly places the child at the centre. ‘Every Child Matters’ is at the forefront of this agenda.

Its key aims and principles must be addressed in order to ensure that all children and young people have the necessary skills to enable them to achieve their fullest potential. In order to achieve these skills the Leaflettes programme has been developed by foundation stage teachers and educationalists whom recognised the importance in developing social, emotional and behavioural skills at the earliest stage in a child’s learning.

The five areas focussed upon are compatible with Early Learning Goals and critically with the Every Child Matters key principles.

The Leaflettes are designed to be delivered flexibly, working alongside existing teaching practice. Its strength lies in giving the teacher or assistant the opportunity to use his/her expertise to decide which aspect of the programme is appropriate at any given time.

Within personal and social development, much of the best teaching is done when the teacher recognises the opportunity to illustrate and develop a particular skill or concept. For example, the simple task of putting a coat on a named peg can lead to a whole series of sessions around ‘Taking Responsibility’, ‘Organising Myself’ and solving problems’.

The activities contained within the pack give opportunities to discuss and practice key skills as well as giving examples of how scenarios could be further developed.