Looking for Learning: Mark Making

Book excerpt: Looking for Learning: Mark Making is a full-colour, practical guide linked to current policy and the EYFS framework. Laura England, creator of Little Miss Early Years, uses theory, cases studies, real-life images and accessible ideas to inspire child-led learning using mark making. This book will help you spark children's natural curiosity in seeing what happens when they make marks with their fingers, bodies and toys, as well as materials from nature and from your art supplies. From drawing around shadows and swirling paint in water, to printing animal footprints, Laura England, creator of Little Miss Early Years, provides a wealth of creative ideas for incorporating mark making into all child-led play, both indoors and outside. Developing mark making and building language skills are crucial as young children begin to build their confidence in communicating. This dip-in-and-out book is linked to the Characteristics of Effective Learning and presents real-life examples and images as well as practical pointers. With tips from setting up the environment to the adult's role in this child-led play, Looking for Learning: Mark Making is ideal for all Early Years practitioners searching for accessible ideas for using mark making in their settings. Looking for Learning books are the number one tool for identifying learning opportunities in child-led play. All four books are packed full of tried-and-tested ideas for indoor and outdoor activities, helpful hints and tips and full-colour photographs. Written by Laura England, known as Little Miss Early Years, these are a must-have for any nursery or pre-school.