Published
14/03/2022

New addition to the popular Froebel Trust free pamphlet series explores a Froebelian perspective on children’s self-regulation. Download for free.

A brand new pamphlet designed for early years educators and all those who care for and support young children.

Download a copy

The pamphlet looks at connections between children’s environments, experiences, emotions and behaviours. Using case studies from practice, it considers how educators can connect with the child’s unique world. It looks at:

  • how to use reflection and freedom with guidance to create more harmonious and inclusive relationships
  • a democratic approach, rather than one based on rules and behaviour management strategies
  • our own emotional impulses and how these can influence children
  • how to look beyond the ‘act’ during difficult situations and when emotions may be running high.

The pamphlet suggests ways to create a harmonious, democratic and empathetic community, in which children and adults develop the skills in self-regulation.

"When educators really observe closely and reflect on all the evidence they are given, they are more likely to understand why certain behaviours are emerging." Dr Lynn McNair and Carol Cerdan

Free to download

You can also email us at office@froebeltrust.org.uk if you would like to order a printed copy for £5 (including postage).

Launch event

To mark the release of this new pamphlet, the authors are hosting a special webinar on 30 March at 7pm. Find out more and book a free ticket.

About the authors

Dr Lynn McNair and Carol Cerdan work together at Cowgate Under Fives Centre in Edinburgh, Scotland. Cowgate is a Froebel-influenced, City of Edinburgh Council day nursery.

Dr Lynn McNair

Lynn is Head of Cowgate Under Fives Centre and is a Senior Teaching Fellow at the University of Edinburgh. She is also the Programme Director of Froebelian Futures, a Froebel Trust funded project which aims to strengthen and deepen child and community-centred early years practice across Scotland. Lynn has more than 30 years experience working in Early Years Education and was awarded an OBE for services to Early Education in 2009. Lynn is a trained Froebelian, attaining her certificate at the Froebel Institute, Roehampton University. She is an award-winning author.

Carol Cerdan

Carol is an Early Years Officer at Cowgate Under Fives Centre. She was inspired into a career in Early Years Education following a visit to Cowgate with her own children. She saw children treated at creative, competent and unique individuals and from that point became an active campaigner for Children's Rights. She was Froebelian trained at Edinburgh University and is taking part in the Froebelian Futures course. She is currently organising a series of Playing Out events in her neighbourhood for local children. You will often find her at Nature Kindergarten, telling stories or singing.

Explore more titles in the Froebel Trust series

The Froebel Trust pamphlet series explores a broad range of themes and activities closely associated with Froebelian practice today. Titles include:

  • Outdoor play and exploration
  • Songs, rhymes and finger plays
  • The wonder of woodwork
  • Observing young children

... and many more.

All our pamphlets are available to download for free.

Froebel invites us as educators to think about the reasons behind a child's actions...

Dr Lynn McNair and Carol Cerdan