Hey PLAY People,

Hello and welcome to August!

Over the past year, we have created and shared a HUGE amount of content!

The problem with creating lots of good content is that it can sometimes disappear down the page before you have had the chance to read it, watch it or use it properly.

You might have saved something with every intention of returning to it, spotted a title that looked useful during a particularly busy week or simply joined The PLAYlist after some of our most popular content was first published.

So, throughout August, we are going to pause, look back and bring together some of the very best things we have shared over the past year.

It is an opportunity to catch up on something you missed, revisit something that made you think, share useful content with your team or begin gathering ideas for the year ahead.

For Everyone:

Throughout August, we will be sharing:

The ABC Does Article Round-Up - CLICK HERE

We will bring together some of our articles from across the year in one place, with links to help you quickly find the subjects that are most useful to you.

There has been a lot to explore, from continuous provision and interactions to play, writing, environment and the role of the adult. Even when you have read an article before, returning to it at a different point in your practice can often make you notice something new.

The Guest Article Round-Up - CLICK HERE

We have been fortunate to share some brilliant guest articles this year, written by people with real experience, knowledge and insight.

We will gather those contributions together so that you can discover anything you missed, revisit your favourites and find useful voices and perspectives to share with colleagues.

The PLAYlist Questionnaire - CLICK HERE

As we look back over the year, we would also really value YOUR thoughts about what should come next.

We want The PLAYlist to continue to be useful, relevant and rooted in the reality of early years practice.

The questionnaire is your opportunity to tell us what you have enjoyed, what you have used and what you would like us to explore in the future.

For Paid PLAYlisters:

Alongside all of the free August content, paid subscribers will receive an even bigger collection of ideas, resources and professional development.

Brand-New Online Training - Explicit Teaching or Child Led Learning? - CLICK HERE

The training looks at what research says about the most effective balance between adult teaching and child-initiated learning - and everything that can happen in-between.

Best of the Guests - CLICK HERE

We have had some fascinating conversations with guests over the past year, covering a wide range of subjects, experiences and areas of expertise.

During August, we will bring together some of the very best guest sessions, with direct links so that you can easily find the conversations that interest you most.

You may discover someone you missed completely, revisit a conversation that changed your thinking or find the perfect session to share with your team.

Ten Activities from the 50 Fantastics Range - CLICK HERE

We will be bringing together ten of the 50 Fantastic Ideas collection from Bloomsbury

They are designed to be dipped into, adapted and used in ways that suit your children, your setting and the resources you already have.

We will also be sharing a separate 50 Fantastic book giveaway during August, so keep an eye out for that too.

Three Virtual Staff Meeting Giveaways - CLICK HERE

We will also be giving three settings the opportunity to win a Virtual Staff Meeting with me.

This could be used to explore a particular area of practice, talk through a challenge, reflect on your provision or simply ask the questions that your team have been trying to unpick.

3x ’50 Fantastic’…’ Bundle Giveaway - CLICK HERE

If you like the activities available to paid subscribers this month, then this giveaway is for you.

We’re giving away 3x bundles of ‘50 Fantastic…’ titles each containing 5 books. That’s 250 ideas!! All you need to do is comment on the post linked above, and you’ll have a chance of being one of our 3 winners drawn at the end of August. For more details, check the post above.

Whether you are working throughout the summer, preparing for September or making a determined effort not to think about early years for a few weeks, you can dip in whenever it suits you.

Thank you, as always, for being part of it…

Alistair