Maria Robinson is a lecturer, counsellor, trainer and adviser in early years development, with a total of 20 years’ experience including working originally as a health visitor and subsequently as a tutor in further and higher education. She currently works independently, offering training and workshops to a wide range of professionals such as early years practitioners, social workers, trainee and qualified teachers in both mainstream and additional support needs education. Her particular areas of interest are the emotional development of children, attachment, brain development and links between all aspects of development and the use of observations.

• 1. Setting the Scene; 2. Play, Imitation and Exploration; 3. Learning to be Secure, Learning to Learn; 4. Self Awareness and the Growth of Empathy; 5. Observing and Reflecting on Children’s Developing Emotional Competence; 6. Engaging with Families; 7. Embracing Differences; Chapter 8. Can we hear the Voice of the Child?; Chapter 9. School Readiness

Maria Robinson is a lecturer, counsellor, trainer and adviser in early years development, with a total of 20 years’ experience including working originally as a health visitor and subsequently as a tutor in further and higher education. She currently works independently, offering training and workshops to a wide range of professionals such as early years practitioners, social workers, trainee and qualified teachers in both mainstream and additional support needs education. Her particular areas of interest are the emotional development of children, attachment, brain development and links between all aspects of development and the use of observations.

• 1. Setting the Scene; 2. Play, Imitation and Exploration; 3. Learning to be Secure, Learning to Learn; 4. Self Awareness and the Growth of Empathy; 5. Observing and Reflecting on Children’s Developing Emotional Competence; 6. Engaging with Families; 7. Embracing Differences; Chapter 8. Can we hear the Voice of the Child?; Chapter 9. School Readiness