Genial Kids

18/09/2026

18/09/2026

16/09/2026

One of the things I love about professional development is that it gives me an opportunity to revisit familiar practices through a deeper lens.

I've been working with children and educators for years, and lesson planning is certainly not new territory for me.

But as I continue deepening my Early Years knowledge, I'm constantly reminded that effective planning begins with understanding the child.

So, if you're a tutor, teacher or caregiver working with children aged 0–5, here's a little reminder:

Don't plan activities simply because they're fun. Plan with intention.

Ask yourself:
What is the child learning?
Which area of development am I supporting?
How will I engage the child?
How will I observe their progress?
What will I do if they need more support?

Because in Early Years, intentional teaching doesn't mean controlling every moment. It means knowing why you're creating each learning opportunity.

I'm enjoying bringing together what I've learnt through experience with the deeper professional knowledge I'm gaining through this training. 🌱

Tutors, save this for your next lesson-planning session. 🤩

Khadijah Yusuf

14/09/2026

From theory to practice.

Last Thursday was one of those training days that reminded me that working with young children is so much more than knowing what to teach.

We moved from the classroom into practical demonstrations, working in groups to explore how we can support:

Language and communication
Pre-writing skills
Early phonics using local materials
Fine motor development

We designed activities, demonstrated them, observed one another and discussed how they could be adapted for young children.

And I particularly enjoyed the challenge of thinking:

How can I achieve this learning goal using simple materials that are available around us?

Because effective Early Years practice doesn't always require expensive resources.

Sometimes, it's about understanding the child, the purpose of the activity and how to turn simple things into meaningful learning experiences.

I'm already looking forward to sharing more of what I'm learning from this journey.

Still learning. Still growing. Still becoming a better educator. ❤️

With love,
Khadijah Yusuf
Early Years Educator | Reading Fluency Specialist
Genial Kids