You might think the rubbish bin rather unlucky with all the stuff that gets put into it. But as a child at home, I thought our rubbish bin did have one thing going for it – its own place! Not only that, but the space it had was a space I coveted. Between two kitchen cabinets with a work-top overhead, it was the perfect little den when I needed a retreat from my older brothers. I’d just give the bin a temporary home and squeeze into its spot. There was a good chance nobody would even notice me there. With my back against the wall I could look at a book or just enjoy being “hidden” for a while before going back out to re-join the action.

Many nurseries do not have such spaces. If we are thinking about vulnerable twos, don’t we at least need to consider a “me place” somewhere in the room? It is equivalent to the “cave” under the bush outdoors. The Wren’s nest may look tiny to adults, but for a two-year-old it’s perfect and even has space for a friend. A comfortable settee or glider where a key person and a child can share a story is important but fills a different function from this individual hidey-hole. So do look at your room from a child’s perspective and ask – where can I go when I need a little time by myself?

For more on creating ideal environments for two-year-olds, download A good place to be Two.

Childhood has its own way of seeing, thinking and feeling, and nothing is more foolish than to try to substitute ours for theirs. Rousseau

A few days ago my neighbour was walking with her young son. In the middle of a roundabout stood a cherry tree at the height of its springtime glory. Suddenly the child came to a standstill, saying in awe, ‘O Mummy, look!’ She responded, ‘Isn’t it wonderful?’ The child breathed, ‘It’s a JCB!’

Mother and child had eyes for entirely different things!

Did you know that tomorrow, 15 May, is National Children’s Day? Join in with these child-led activities.

A few weeks ago tree surgeons removed a dying tree adjacent to my two-year-old son’s nursery. Since then, every odd-shaped piece of wood he finds is his chainsaw. He has a whole collection of chainsaws under his bed. It makes housekeeping interesting – but that’s OK. When we pass a construction site on the way home from nursery, he’s the one driving the digger or the dumper. If imagination is a trait of early childhood that you feel is important, then we have something that you will love!

Through the eyes of a child explores the brand-new Community Playthings PlayFrame through the stories of five children. We see an event in their lives captured in stunning black and white photography while colourful illustrations give us a glimpse into the child’s thoughts. Then we find out how they re-live that experience on the PlayFrame. The result is a delightful picture book which your children may enjoy as much as you do!

Click here to request a free copy of Through the eyes of a child

John Coe, chairman of National Association for Primary Education, recently described a visit he’d just made to a school. Two 11-year-olds had been assigned to tour him round the building. Approaching the Reception classroom the children became visibly eager, hurrying their pace. On entering, they made a beeline for the Sand and Water table where they showed John all they could achieve with hosepipes and pulleys – talking excitedly all the while.

John told me, “The children were intelligent Year 6 pupils. Their spontaneous move to play like four-year-olds is a powerful indication of the denial of the inclination to play (and learn) which is characteristic of too many test-driven schools.”

Motivation levels are high during play. Remember Vygotsky’s words about a child at play being “a head taller than himself.” Schools would do well to include play as a natural part of their curriculum. The learning potential is tremendous.

Sometimes it comes down to stubbornness – the right kind – when someone is sticking up for children. The Bright Beginnings Nursery at the University of Leeds was fought for every inch of the way. It was worth it. After years in cramped “temporary” accommodation, Bright Beginnings is now an airy nursery with spacious rooms, a large upstairs balcony area and terrific outdoor provision.

I spent four delightful hours there with my camera. While many nurseries have babies upstairs with the idea that “they don’t need the outdoors as much as the older ones”, the babies in this nursery are on ground level as staff believe that outdoor experience is equally essential for the youngest. Their garden includes a wide variety of gradients and climbing possibilities and staff encourage the children to take measured risks.

Enjoy this case study and make sure you watch our short video interview with the manager, Angela Foley. What she says at the end is important.