The purpose of these interactive sessions is to work together to explore key skills that are essential for all children to navigate an increasingly complex and changing world. These skills will support them to become successful and independent life-long learners.

The sessions cover the importance of children’s awareness of their own learning skills; how adults influence children’s cognitive development through everyday interactions, and consider how early years practitioners can support the development of specific cognitive skills through everyday nursery activities. There is also a follow-up session (3 months after) which enables participants to come back together to share their practice and learning experiences.

Feedback has been very positive, including examples of changes to practice as a result of attending the sessions:

• “It has shown me how important it is that we support the development of children’s cognitive skills as it will help them to learn throughout their lives”
• “It has made me think really differently about the language I use with children and the questions I ask throughout their everyday play”
• “I am now much more explicit with the children about the purpose of activities and how they can use the skills they are learning in different ways”
• “Systematic looking and comparison”