Love and Nurture in the Early Years

I purchased this book while studying Mental Health in Schools. The title resonated with me because I am researching how professionals who provide care and enable education are being trained to understand the impact of their relationships on the mental health of young children.The book is written from a perspective of equity and inclusion and opens with levelling statements that value the role of any ‘Early Childhood Educator’ who has felt inspired to read it. It is accessible in layout with Sections of Key Definitions, Case Studies and Reflective Practice Exercises which encourage the reader to go and put theory into practice, then return to the text to consider Key Questions. It is definitely one to keep revisiting.Nature and Nurture are explored with an accessible introduction to ‘epigenetics’. Aaron Bradbury and Tamsin Grimmer broach ‘love’ boldly with relevance in the context of early years today. The interconnectedness between nurture and love and the need for every child to experience both within a setting emerges with examples of how professionals can love and nurture through their words and actions.My affinity with the work of Friedrich Froebel on the principle of Knowledgeable Nurturing Educators sprung to mind when I saw this publication. Froebel’s thoughts on play and earlier work by Grimmer, are developed by Bradbury and Grimmer with a link between how children who feel loved feel empowered and are then ready to learn.Bradbury and Grimmer have drawn longstanding theories alongside very recent research and statutory requirements to guide readers at every level of their career in ensuring practice is always professional, compliant and above all safe, in the best interests of the children.

Our school ethos is ‘love in all we do’ and when I saw this book release, I knew it would be an enjoyable read. It includes practical examples and ideas to apply to your practice when caring for children in education with a vision of professional love and nurture. I particularly like the phrase ‘filling children’s emotional cups’.This book is reassuring and a good resource for teachers, practitioners, leaders and education/childcare students.

This book explains exactly how I feel about Early Years, the importance of love and relationships as the foundation for everything else.

In today’s early years world, it seems extraordinary that there should be the need for this book and that its subject matter isn’t universally known, accepted and adopted as standard practice in all settings by all staff at all times and yet there is sufficient evidence to suggest that we do continue to need reminders of priorities when it comes to children’s welfare and the provision of optimal emotional environments for their holistic development.This title then constitutes a primer for embarking on the journey to establish effective principles and day to day practice, meeting the care, physical and emotional needs of our youngest children and their families through engagement with our early years settings. For those who have been around a while, it is a sound reference point and reminder of the importance of these foundational, often misunderstood and undervalued activities. For the new student of child development, it represents essential reading.With an unequivocal voice, the book makes the case for children’s need for and indeed right to experience love and nurture. Bradbury and Grimmer examine the definitions of love and nurture in relation to early years practice, and the research underpinning their explication and application in settings. There are plenty of illustrative examples and links to other key areas of practice. The book is populated with opportunities for reflection, real life case studies and key questions.The final chapter summarises the preceding content chapter by chapter, providing practical pointers to further reading, resources and research. I always appreciate a resource with a positive message of inspiration, practical application and one which leaves you with a yearning to continue the journey of curiosity. In this sense, Love and Nurture in the early Years should be mandatory reading for all.

This insightful book highlights the importance of emotional warmth and supportive caregiving in a child's early years. Combining scientific research with practical advice, the author shows how nurturing environments foster secure attachment, emotional regulation, and cognitive growth. It's an invaluable resource

This is a beautiful text which eloquently explains the importance of love and nurture in the the early years. Tamsin and Aaron have expertly brought together theory and practice making this a must read for all those who work with young children. I will be making this compulsory reading for all my Early Years students.