Best Practice in Early Years

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By Devika Datta,
IB Primary Years Programme Coordinator

On Saturday, the 5th of April, some of our passionate EY team—Zaryn, Neirillu, and Geeta—and our Primary Principal Peter Spratling and I, had the privilege of attending the Best Practice in the Early Years Conference at TISB, led by Dr. Alistair Bryce-Clegg—renowned early years expert, storyteller, and the creative mind behind ABC Does Ltd. His session was nothing short of electric: funny, insightful, and deeply affirming.

Reimagining Early Years: Insights from Dr. Alistair Bryce-Clegg

As I sat listening, nodding, laughing, and furiously scribbling down notes, I was reminded once again why early years education is such sacred work. All of us walked away with renewed purpose and a toolkit full of meaningful reminders.

Here are some key takeaways that struck a chord with me and our passionate EY team at Stonehill International School:

Child-Centered Learning: Truly Seeing the Child

Dr. Alistair emphasized the importance of recognizing children as unique individuals. It’s not about preparing them for the next stage, but honouring where they are now. Our classrooms must reflect children’s interests, stages of development, and need for autonomy. Learning should be authentic and emerge from what fascinates them.

Continuous Provision with Purpose

He challenged us to move beyond ‘fancy setups’ and ask: What is the learning in this? The goal is to create environments where children can revisit, reflect, and extend their thinking. It’s not about rotating resources for novelty, but building depth in play and learning through sustained thinking opportunities.

Process Over Product

One powerful reminder was to value the process over the product. Especially in art and mark-making, we often default to adult expectations. Dr. Alistair encouraged us to embrace mess, experimentation, and multiple iterations. This is where real learning happens.

Interactions Matter

It’s not just about setting up the environment—it’s about what adults do within it. High-quality interactions, modeling, and language-rich engagement are what elevate play into powerful learning experiences. He reminded us: ‘The adult is the most important resource in the room.’

The Power of Provocations & Invitations

Rather than steering children toward a preset outcome, provocations should invite curiosity, investigation, and collaboration. Thoughtful provocations and invitations paired with intentional questions can open endless pathways for inquiry and exploration.

Observation is Everything

Assessment in the early years is about noticing, capturing, and interpreting learning moments in context—not testing or checking boxes. Dr. Alistair highlighted the importance of slowing down, observing deeply, and trusting what we see in children's everyday interactions.

We returned from the session buzzing with ideas and renewed energy. We’re excited to take these insights back to our learning spaces and reflect on how we can deepen our practices.

Dr. Alistair, Owner of ABC Does Ltd and Co-Founder of My First Five Years, continues to lead with authenticity and passion. His work challenges us to rethink ‘best practice’ not as a fixed destination, but as a journey grounded in curiosity, reflection, and love for children’s learning.

Here’s to evolving, one playful step at a time.

More inspiration from Dr. Alistair: www.abcdoes.com

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