Early years graduates inspire next generation

Graduates from the School of Education are inspiring the next generation of children and the future early years workforce.

Two new films by The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood showcase University of Leeds graduates and highlight their thoughts on the future of the sector, their plans for the future and the variety of career options open to aspiring students.

Emily Tennant, a graduate from the BA Childhood Studies course, praised the School of Education’s varied curriculum. She said: “I knew I wanted to work with children, but I didn’t know what form that would take. The course is so broad, and subjects included a variety of topics such as sociology, psychology, policy and children’s rights.

“The placement during my course helped my teaching career aspirations. I’d like to go on to specialise in speech and language therapy.

“When you think about working with children and education, you do generally think of the teacher track. But the more I’ve learned within my degree the more it has opened my eyes to different career possibilities.”

During the course, students participated in guest lectures to explore the variety of careers available post-degree. This included Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (SENCO) and social work.

Inspiring visit

Last year, the University of Leeds welcomed HRH The Princess of Wales, whose work is raising awareness of the early years.

The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood aims to build a supportive, nurturing world around children and those caring for them, to impact the physical and mental health, and happiness, of generations to come – a message which echoes the work at the School of Education.

Nancy McKie, who has also just graduated from the BA Childhood Studies course, said: “It is really inspiriting to see the Princess of Wales bringing so much influence to the sector and what we can do as adults to make that experience smoother for children.”

The visit also helped students reflect on their studies. Joel Friss, who is currently undertaking a master’s degree in childhood studies, adds: “The visit really helped me reflect on my research and how it can create positive experiences for children.”

Making a positive change

Staff and students at the School of Education are passionate about making a difference to the lives of children.

Nancy said: “As children’s voices are so often overlooked, we need to take a child led learning approach.

“It is important to prioritise social and emotional wellbeing alongside academic development. We need to look at children’s wellbeing - they should be having fun whilst they are learning.

“The better a child understands themselves, the better their approach to learning.

“I’m looking forward to working with children and I hope I can make a difference.”

Joel agrees that children’s voices are important: “Children need to be heard and respected in making decisions. Social interactions encourage them to have freedom of choice.”

Joel plans to go on to study for a PhD and plans to create an index to measure children’s participation in research.

“We need to empower children to be capable and able to be a part of the research process. Children can impact decisions that affect them,” he said.

The future for early childhood

Emily hopes that, in the future, “children would start school on an equal pegging. At the moment some children are more advanced than others – we need to focus on the early years.”

Recent research from the School of Psychology and the Born in Bradford Centre for Applied Education Research found that 67% of all persistent absentees with attendance below 90% were considered “not school ready” when they entered reception.

We need more early year practitioners to help children before they get to school to create a supportive community. This impact will stay with them forever.”

Emily Tennant, graduate from BA Childhood Studies

However, Emily believes that by working together we can develop a community for children where they feel secure and supported.

Emily adds: “As a mum, I’ve seen first hand how children flourish and how different teachers bring out the best of your child.

“We need more early year practitioners to help children before they get to school to create a supportive community. This impact will stay with them forever.”

Further information

For more information, please contact Rebecca Hurrey in the University of Leeds press office.

Visit the Early Years: together we can do better spotlight page for more information about how University of Leeds staff and students are making a difference to the lives of children through greater collaboration.

For more information about the research into school absenteeism, please visit the University of Leeds news page.

Picture Credit, HRH The Princess of Wales, visiting campus last year: The Royal Foundation.