Learning and Teaching Scotland early years publications

Curriculum guidance
Early Learning, Forward Thinking: the ICT policy framework and related materials
Early Years Resource Catalogue
Perspectives series
LTS Early Education Support including 'Contextualised Learning for Children 5-8' and 'The Reggio Emilia Approach'
Early years ICT resources

Curriculum guidance

Please visit our Curriculum area to order or download copies of the following publications:

Early Learning, Forward Thinking

Visit our ICT strategy for early years section to download Early Learning, Forward Thinking: The Policy Framework for ICT in Early Years and related staff development and resource packs.

Early Years Resource Catalogue

The Early Years Resource Catalogue details resources (including online resources, software and publications) developed by Learning and Teaching Scotland for early years practitioners.

Perspectives series

A series of papers intended to stimulate discussion among early years educators. Published so far in this series:

LTS Early Education Support series

Image of the cover of 'Come back in two years!'

Come back in two years! A study of the use of ICT in pre-school settings during spring and summer 2002

This publication addresses the lack of practice-based evidence, highlighted in 'ICT in Pre-school: A 'Benign Addition'?', by observing playroom resources and activities, and gathers the perspectives of staff and children in seven early years settings within Scotland.

Contextualised Learning for 5-8-year-olds

The publication highlights planning for, teaching through and assessing learning that takes place through play and aims to promote reflection on current classroom practice and stimulate discussion in staff rooms.

ICT in Pre-school: A 'Benign Addition'?

A review of the literature on ICT in pre-school settings which examines the research evidence for the ways in which children and practitioners can make use of ICT for learning, both by supporting children's development and as a means of facilitating the work of practitioners.

Learning is Magic

A pack comprising video and staff development materials to help those working with young children come to a clearer appreciation of the processes involved in assessing children's progress from the age of 3 to 5.

Looking, Listening and Learning - Quality Interaction with Children

A series of illustrated case studies showing how observations of children's play can allow the interests of the children to inform planning, thus ensuring that the needs of the whole child are met.

Numeracy Counts

Provides information to enhance practitioner knowledge and understanding of early numeracy and gives practical examples of how to work with young children to develop their skills.

Numeracy in the Early Years

Looks at some current initiatives designed to improve standards of numeracy, identifies key issues emerging from recent literature and research, and highlights the implications for teachers, parents, staff development and management.

Progress with Purpose

This pack has been developed to help all those working with children in the early stages of their development and learning. A supplement, which looks specifically at the Gaelic medium, English as an additional language, and children who require support for learning, is also available.

Promoting Learning: Assessing Children's Progress 3 to 5

Designed to help practitioners assess children's progress in a range of contexts.

Seeing, Making, Doing

Offers advice to help early education practitioners provide creative opportunities that support and enhance child development.

Sharing early years thinking and practice, Scotland 2003

Presents five different examples of developments in early years practice. Each of the papers represents research in action: posing questions, exploring possible ways of working and illustrating the importance of keeping children's voices and children's active participation central to the ways of working being developed.

Supporting Development and Learning 3-5

The focus here is the child's personal, social and emotional development and dispositions.

The Reggio Emilia Approach to Early Years Education

In educational terms the northern Italian town of Reggio Emilia has become renowned worldwide for its forward thinking and exemplary approach to early childhood education.

Working with Parents: A Shared Understanding of the Curriculum 3-5

Explores how staff in early years settings can further develop communication and contact with parents, based on a shared understanding of the principles of the Curriculum Framework 3 to 5 document.

Writing it Right? Children Writing 3-8

Details what educators need to know and gives practical examples of how to work with young children to develop their understanding of print and forming letters, the various functions of writing, story telling and story writing.

Early Years' Matters

LTS also publishes the Early Years' Matters newsletter.

AifL self-assessment toolkits

Use our self-assessment toolkits to audit current practice in your school or early years establishment.