Introduction

This Introduction present an overview of key concept discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. One covers English activities from the earliest years even before schooling begins children enjoy stories and rhymes to the age of eleven. Where appropriate, one suggests how an issue or topic relates to children at different stages. The age categories set out in UK documents change when new governments are appointed and they nearly always revise the national curriculum, what is required at each stage and sometimes the organisation of age phases. Babies and young children have a playful, explorative approach to the world and respond with delight to nursery rhymes, songs, picturebooks and stories from their earliest months. James Britton makes a link between early play and later cultural enjoyments, including those that happen in English lessons in primary school. The best-informed Nursery practitioners and playgroup teams recognise the fluidity of a young child's activities and do not think in terms of subjects.