How I would we implement British values to fit into our main provision offered in a pre-school in the UK.
This is a reflection on early years blog, that might help others.
Introductions.
Hi I am a mum and I have background in early years as a practitioner and management and supervisor positions.
I have a level 4 in early years and over 23 years of experience in the sector. I have worked in mainstream and special needs settings and school based and nursery based provisions.
It’s nearly the start of a new term and with that comes changes. New children, new planning systems and new ways to implement key aspects within that. British values is the buzz that I found hardest to, begin to get, into my head around. While I understand it have thought about the need to professionally reflect on how I could present this to children in my care.
What is British values?
The fundamental British values..... democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and Tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs are already underpinning and linked in the 2014 EYFS.
This also links with the Counter Terrorism and Security Act, this document places a duty on early years providers in regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism” (the Prevent duty). Also knowing what to look for and how to prevent it.
By introducing British Values to early years children is basically the same as introducing and exploring human their rights. In early years this is done in a individual and age and ability appropriate learning style. It also helps us teach about responsibilities on a wider scale.
How is it related to the prevent document for early years?
British values include democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual Respect for others with different faiths and beliefs.
As i said this directly linked with EYFS as the Prevent Duty indicates and shows linked Importance of providers focusing on personal, social, health and emotional development.
This should be clear and run clearly through your settings goals and ethos. This can be shown in the strategies, activities and resources that underpin the children’s learning experiences, opportunities and the provision on offer, within practice.
Tips to use in everyday practice that worked .....
Songs, puppets, small word scinario, scinario cards at circle time and access to learning about the wider community and the world.
Along with visual representation in resources and books.
As adults we model behaviours and expectations so that we become good role models to be observed.
We provide strategies to talk about or act out feelings, calm areas to reflect and we always use in the moment learning to scaffold or relate to other areas of life or situations. This includes making choices and group decisions together.
We use circle time to discuss topics related to well chosen stories. At the end of each session we talk about what each other wants to say.
How to add it into the threads that underpin your practice and areas of development throughout your provision.
Democracy: Making decisions together
Help the children to see their role in the community, family, school , friendships, and encouraging all children to know their own views are inportant, heard and valued.
Encourage the children to praise and encourage other adults and peers and respect others views.
Create a social space that encourages asking for support and help from trusted peers and adults.
You can use a show of hands or a points system as a visual for choice making.
Show democracy in action in your setting by...
Sharing views in a group situation, encouragement interactive display boards and reward systems for supporting others. Also through offering the children a chance to decide their own choices.
You can support the decisions that children make and provide activities that involve; turn taking, sharing, collaborating in small and large groups
We should aim to give all children a voice and give all children opportunities to develop curiosity and pleasure in learning and where questions are valued.
Rule of law: understanding rules matter and links with Personal Social and Emotional development
In your setting you could focus on managing feelings and behaviour:
We dob this by ensureing that the children understand their own and others’ behaviour and its consequences, setting clear boundaries and classroom behaviours. We also clearly state why it is important ant that its for us all.
You could explore what’s right from wrong.
In your setting you could get the children to be a part of making the rules and the codes of behaviour.
This could be about tidying up and ensure that all children understand rules apply to everyone.
You could teach the children why we need rules with the use of puppets, visual.
As practitioners we have to have a consistent approach to behaviour management within or setting.
For example, we role-play what might happen if we do not use our kind hands with friends. Talk about everyone’s safety when moving around the Nursery and playing together.
Individual liberty: freedom for all
Your setting could look at building self-confidence and self-awareness and people and communities as part of Personal Social and Emotional development and Understanding the World in the EYFS.
We need to provide activities that help children develop a positive sense of themselves. You could provide opportunities an resources for children to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and build their confidence their own thought and abilities. You could explore this through bulging dens, Exploring mixing different mediums and sharing learning experiences.
With children at the center you can build from this by positive parent links and information sharing on how your setting is offering different parts of your curriculum. Keep updates of successes and wow moments in a visitors book or even one for your reading area. This allows you to showcase what goes on and also provides a way for the children to remember and talk about. As practitioners you can also use it to reflect on your practice.
Mutual respect and tolerance: Treat others as you want to be treated.
This can be linked with people & communities, managing feelings & behaviour and making relationships as mentioned in Personal Social and Emotional development and Understanding the World:
In your setting work to create an ethos of inclusivity and tolerance and that views, faiths, cultures and races are explored and valued individually. You could encourage your settings links with the wider community
Share traditions
Share jobs and occupations
Share stories with locals
Share celebrations and festivals.
Most of all adopt a tolerant supportive environment that breeds tolerance, understanding and curiosity. This in turn will involve learning about similarities and Differences between fathers, race and culture. If your planning and practice is made to supporting children to acquire a tolerance and appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures; know about similarities and differences between themselves and others and among families, faiths, communities, cultures.
Share and respect, each others opinions.
You could promote learning about diverse attitudes and challenge stereotypes through stories and technology .
Your setting could become an active part of you community.
As staff we will have to ....
Model behaviours, expectations, language and attitude that the children can better understand has been discussed above. At each stage of planning the child and family will be at the centre of your provision. All staff will understand the importance of the British values within a preschool setting.
We are role models nurturing children’s minds and attitudes to have a positive impact on themselves and socialty as a whole. All activities have to take into account age, and ability of each child and pitch British values at each stage of development at the right level. ( we would not expect a 1 year old to do an activity for a 4 year old In the same way.)
I hope that through reading this you have a good grounding base to be less intimidated by British values. I had a fellow practitioner explain it to myself and I have never forgotten how at that moment a light bulb went on. Once it was explained to me similar to above it empowered me to feel more confident in how and what my setting already does. It also gave me a clear start point to build from for the future.
Use the things you have in your setting already. Just decide how you can use your existing resources to also promote British values along with other opportunities your provision already offers.
To all early years practitioners and teachers. Wishing you happy new term.
Remember......... you got this!
By Rebecca Davies
Links.....
Other websites of interest..
British Values in the EYFS: A Guide for Practitioners - Twinkl https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/amp/t-t-24145-new-british-values-in-the-eyfs-a-guide-for-practitioners
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