Shaping the Future of Early Childhood Education - Updating Aistear Phase 2    In this edition on the LINC Blog, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) Early Childhood Team discuss Phase 2 of Updating Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum...

Getting Winter Ready - Tips for Outdoor Activity   In this edition of LINC blog, programme tutor Edel Fenlon outlines some handy tips to ensure the children in your care are outdoor activity ready this winter season.  As we prepare ourselves for winter, what...

The Sky is the Limit, Turning I "can't" into I "can".   In this issue of the LINC Blog, Brenda Jordan from Little People Playgroup in Castleknock shares one of her learning experiences from the LINC Programme and the difference it made one little boy’s...

Finding Community   In this edition of the LINC blog, graduate Denise Sheridan talks about her outdoor ethos, her education journey, and how the LINC+ programme has helped her to find her voice as a valued member of the early years community.  In 2010, I set...

Nurturing Successful Transitions: Supporting Children's Pre-school Journey   In this issue of the LINC Blog, Early Years Specialist, Edel Kinane, delves into the excitement and importance of supporting young children in their pre-school journey. Recognising the...

Propelling Early Learning and Development through High Quality Home Learning Activities   In this edition of the LINC Blog, Dr. Lisha O'Sullivan (Head of Department, Reflective Pedagogy of Early Childhood Studies, Mary Immaculate College), Professor Emer Ring...

The Power of Music & Nursery Rhymes   In this issue of the LINC Blog, LINC Tutor Kathleen Dalton emphasises the significance of music and rhymes in children's development. While reflecting on her role as Inclusion Coordinator (INCO) Kathleen highlights the...

The Wonder of Story Boxes   In this edition of the LINC Blog, INclusion CoOrdinator Orghialla Daly-Holland delves into the concept of Story Boxes. Orghialla describes how the purpose of a Story Box is to create a hands-on literacy experience for children. She...

The Mud Kitchen   In this edition of the LINC Blog, LINC Tutor Carole Dee describes how her Setting’s Mud Kitchen encourages children's social and emotional development and provides endless opportunities for open ended, sensory play.The Mud Kitchen is without...

   Minister O’Gorman commends the dedication of early years educators and encourages them to avail of the opportunity to apply for the award-winning LINC Programme.   630 places available nationwide as LINC Programme set to open for applications    The Leadership for...

Inspiring Inclusive Practice   In the edition of the LINC Blog, Inclusion Coordinator (INCO) Sinead Conran reflects on how her participation in the LINC+ CPD Programme and engagement in a Community of Practice with fellow INCO’s has benefited her and her...

The pedagogy of nature: Being with and playing with nature   In this edition of the LINC Blog, Ruksana Beigi, Senior Lecturer in the University of East london, highlights the difference between using the term "outdoors" and adopting a pedagogy of nature and how...

Creating a toddler activity wall   In this edition of the LINC Blog, LINC+ participant and Inclusion Coordinator Puddle Lane Crèche Eileen Byrne, describes how an unused area of the garden was transformed using some day-to-day items into a space for playful...

Examining Communities of Practice   In this edition of the LINC Blog, LINC+ Tutor Claire Butterly examines the reasons for, and benefits of communities of practice as the first package of the LINC+ Programme Communities of Practice in Early Learning and Care is...

Embracing partnership with those in our community   In this edition of the LINC Blog, LINC Tutor Clare O'Shea describes how embracing partnership and friendships in the community can be a wonderful way to give children a wide variety of experiences.    ...

Better Together! Working in Partnerships with Parents/Caregivers   In this edition of the LINC Blog, Better Start Early Years Specialist Eilis Lothian discusses the importance of a partnership approach between Parent/Carers, the Early Years Setting and the AIM...

Bringing Story-Telling to Life   In this edition of the LINC Blog, LINC student Louise Viti describes how story-telling in her setting has supported children's social interaction, play experiences and imagination.     Think back to your own childhood...

The Outdoor Music Corridor   In this edition of the LINC Blog, LINC Graduate and LINC+ Participant Wendy Tully describes how one simple idea helped to foster social interaction between the children of her setting.     “Music is a moral law. It gives...

The Muddy Puddle   In this edition of the LINC Blog, setting manager Ellen Moore describes how one muddy puddle out the back of her setting became a focal point of fun for the children of her preschool.     In the hustle and bustle of the early years it...