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Welcome to Under 5

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Welcome to the March edition of Under 5!

With the weather currently all over the place – freezing cold one night but mild the next – it’s hard to believe that spring is beckoning. But it is indeed (already) around the corner, as the sprouting buds on trees and in the grass can confirm!

So, with lighter evenings and, hopefully, some warmer weather on the way, we’ve started thinking about the

different ways of getting outside to enjoy the blossoming of nature. In Inspiration Corner (pages 10-11), we celebrate the majesty of trees for International Day of Forests on 21 March with a range of activities and ideas to enthuse little ones. Meanwhile, we look at different ways to get out and about to enjoy spring with your baby and toddler groups (pages 12-13), as well as the benefits of risk in outdoor learning (pages 20-21).

In honour of World Book Day on 7 March, this month’s Book Nook (pages 23-24) features a list of seven essential books to celebrate diversity and promote inclusivity, put together by Inclusive Books for Children, while over in Family Corner, we explore the reading journey for under-fives (page 31).

Also, this month, Law-Call shares part one of a look at probationary periods for new employees (pages 28-29); the Alliance’s Rebecca Elsom explores executive function skills in under-fives, explaining what they are and how to harness them (pages 14-15); we look at insurance for on-the-move baby and toddler groups (pages 26-27); and, to mark International Day of Mathematics on 14 March, we share ways to build a maths mindset in growing brains (page 16).

We hope you enjoy this month’s magazine!

Take care,

Jess Gibson

Editor

Not only are we always looking for your good news and stories to share in My Under 5, but we’d also like to hear a little bit more about what it is that you want to see in the magazine each month. Send your good news, stories, questions or suggestions to editor.u5@eyalliance.org.uk to be featured.