ABSTRACT

Bringing Hygge into the Early Years is a “how-to” guide for every early educator who wishes to bring more calmness and balance into their day, in turn, leaving them feeling empowered to teach and live well.

Drawing from the author’s experience of embracing the Scandinavian way of living well, “hygge,” this book explores how this approach can have a positive impact across your early years setting, from improved mental health and wellbeing, to embracing child-led play and high-quality outdoor provision. With step-by-step guidance on how to embed the approach alongside examples of hygge from early educators around the world, the book is divided into four main parts:

  • Re-balance you
  • The hygge environment
  • Slow teaching
  • Embracing nature

Throughout each chapter, case studies and activities provide the opportunity to reflect on existing practice and support you as you make positive changes to both your wellbeing and provision. This guide will be essential reading for all early years professionals, offering further support to improve mental health and wellbeing, as well as valuable tools to lead early years practice with confidence and joy.

chapter |6 pages

Introduction

part 1|40 pages

Re-balance you

chapter Chapter One|9 pages

How hygge supports you

chapter Chapter Two|3 pages

Managing your time

chapter Chapter Three|20 pages

Becoming present

chapter Chapter Four|6 pages

Core values

part 2|58 pages

Hygge environment

chapter Chapter Five|5 pages

A sense of arrival and departure

chapter Chapter Six|8 pages

Lighting

chapter Chapter Seven|2 pages

Colour

chapter Chapter Eight|30 pages

Setting up your provision

chapter Chapter Nine|11 pages

Resourcing on a budget

part 3|44 pages

Slow teaching

chapter Chapter Ten|12 pages

Starting with an interest

chapter Chapter Eleven|12 pages

Provocation or invitation to learn?

chapter Chapter Twelve|5 pages

High-quality interactions

chapter Chapter Thirteen|11 pages

Documenting learning

part 4|34 pages

Embrace nature

chapter Chapter Fourteen|13 pages

Benefits of nature

chapter Chapter Fifteen|5 pages

Friluftsliv

Uncomplicated nature-based play

chapter Chapter Sixteen|6 pages

Find the joy in each season

chapter Chapter Seventeen|6 pages

Bringing nature inside

chapter |2 pages

Summary of book