Parenta Magazine February 2020

Narratives
Joanna Grace asks if
neurotypical paradigms
are damaging people on
the autistic spectrum and
delves into the danger
of gender stereotypes in
children’s stories.
Emotions
hello
welcome to our family
34
Tamsin Grimmer
discusses why using
an emotion coaching
approach is a great way
to de-escalate situations
and support the children
in your setting.
Hello and welcome to the February edition of the Parenta magazine!
If January is anything to go by, we are sure to be in for a wet winter!
What better time than now, to spruce-up and make cosy your ‘story corner’ and encourage everyone in your setting to
get involved with National Storytelling week, running from 1-8 February. As nursery professionals, you already know the
educational importance of stories and how they tie into the EYFS, so… if you’re sitting comfortably, turn to page 10 and we
shall begin!
Last month, we took a look at the different ways children as young as toddlers can benefit from having quiet, reflective time and even yoga
and meditation. The mental wellbeing of these young children in our care is of paramount importance and has been the subject of much
news coverage in recent years. This month, Children’s Mental Health Week, running from 3-9 February highlights the increasing concern about
children’s mental health which, according to statistics, has deteriorated over recent years.
On pages 31 and 32 – we celebrate all things apprenticeships as we take our annual dive into National Apprenticeship Week and explore ways
for employers and learners to get involved. We talk to some of our own learners and find out what it means to them to be a Parenta apprentice.
Congratulations to Joanna Grace, our guest author of the month for December. Her article “Alternative Sensory Spaces” gives some costeffective
ideas on how to create a sensory space within your setting without breaking the bank. If you’ve got a topic you’d like to write about,
why not send an article to us and be in with a chance of winning a £50 voucher!
To celebrate Valentine’s Day on 14th February, we have a wonderful craft for the children to make – a special sign language “I love you” card.
This craft allows the children to use child-friendly scissors and is a great way to practice their fine motor skills.
All the news stories, advice, and craft activities in your free Parenta magazine have been written to help you with the efficient running of your
setting and to promote the health, happiness and wellbeing of the children in your care. Please feel free to share with friends, parents and
colleagues.
Have a great month and please do send in photos of your Valentine’s card craft!
Allan
12
Signing & Singing
20
Galina Zenin explains that signing and
singing go beyond inclusivity, adding
another powerful dimension to the way
we communicate.
FEBRUARY 2020 ISSUE 63
IN THIS EDITION
Regulars
24 Write for us for a chance to win £50!
24 Guest author winner announced
26 Rainbow packed lunch idea!
27 Sign language ‘I love you’ card
38 What our customers say
News
4 Early years news & views
6 “Childcare means caring for families, not just
children” - says Cheshire nursery
7 Double success for UK’s largest early years
training provider
8 Parenta Trust news
Advice
10 National Storytelling Week
14 Children’s Mental Health Week
19 Book review of “What’s My Child Thinking” by
Tanith Carey
22 How to deal with rude people
31 National Apprenticeship Week is here!
32 National Apprenticeship Week 2020 – let’s
celebrate our learners!
36 LGBT History Month
Industry Experts
12 Using an emotion coaching approach and not
making mountains out of molehills!
16 The importance and benefits of messy play
20 The power of signing and singing
28 Processing feelings and emotions in early years
34 Neurotypical narratives
National Storytelling Week 10
How to deal with rude people 22
Rainbow packed lunch idea! 26
Gina Smith shares the importance and benefits of messy play 16