In this episode of Early Years Together, Deborah Brown and Dr Jacqueline Young explore the important role that toilet training and self-care routines play in children's physical development, wellbeing, and independence. While physical development is often associated with running, climbing, and other large movements, self-care routines such as toileting, handwashing, dressing, toothbrushing, and feeding are equally significant learning experiences.

The episode highlights how physical development extends beyond gross motor skills to include children's ability to care for their bodies and manage everyday routines independently. They also explore practical ways practitioners can promote independence through modelling, visual prompts and allowing children sufficient time to practise self-care tasks without rushing to complete them on the child's behalf.

Throughout the discussion, listeners are encouraged to view everyday routines as meaningful learning opportunities rather than simply tasks to be completed. The hosts highlight how dressing, toothbrushing and mealtimes support fine and gross motor development, decision-making, resilience and self-esteem. The episode concludes by reminding practitioners that children develop these skills at different rates and that patient support, positive relationships and strong partnerships with families are key to helping children become confident, independent and capable in caring for themselves.

Don't forget to join us next time when we'll be discussing Core strength, Coordination and Gross Motor Development.

Episode Four References:

Department for Education (2026) Toilet Training. Help for Early Years Providers. Available at: https://help-for-early-years-providers.education.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/toilet-training

ERIC, The Children’s Bowel & Bladder Charity (n.d.) Potty training: how to start & best age to potty train. Available at: https://eric.org.uk/potty-training/

Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (2025) National Dental Epidemiology Programme (NDEP) for England: oral health survey of 5 year old schoolchildren 2024. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/oral-health-survey-of-5-year-old-schoolchildren-2024/national-dental-epidemiology-programme-ndep-for-england-oral-health-survey-of-5-year-old-schoolchildren-2024

Hosts:

Deborah Brown www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-brown79

Dr Jacqueline Young www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jacqueline-young

Mixing Engineer:

Luke Young www.linkedin.com/in/lukeyoungcomposer

Title music by:

Luke Young www.linkedin.com/in/lukeyoungcomposer

In this episode of The Early Years Together, Dr Jacqueline Young and Deborah Brown are joined by early years educator Andrea Jackson to explore the vital role that baby room care routines play in supporting young children's physical development, emotional wellbeing, and secure attachment. Drawing on Andrea's experience across nurseries, baby rooms and further education, the discussion highlights how everyday caregiving moments such as feeding, nappy changing, sleep routines and play create powerful opportunities for learning, development and relationship-building.

Together, they discuss the importance of responsive, attuned caregiving and how practitioners can balance predictable routines with flexibility to meet each baby's individual needs. The conversation explores recognising babies' unique cues, working in partnership with families, respecting cultural practices, and supporting parents through sensitive, non-judgemental conversations when concerns arise.

The episode also focuses on safer sleep practice, examining current guidance, safeguarding responsibilities, and the practical steps early years professionals must take to create safe sleep environments. The hosts and their guest reflect on the importance of consistent documentation, team-wide approaches, and early identification of concerns related to sleep, feeding, regulation and development.

Whether you are an early years practitioner, student, or parent, this episode offers evidence-informed insights and practical reflections to help ensure babies feel safe, secure, understood, and supported to thrive.

Don't forget to join us next time when we'll be discussing Toilet Training and Self-Care Routines.

Episode Three References:

Department for Education (2026) Safer sleep. Help for Early Years Providers. Available at: https://help-for-early-years-providers.education.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/safer-sleep

Owston, L. (2026) How safeguarding and children’s welfare and wellbeing underpin the September 2026 updates to early years inspections. Ofsted: Early Years Blog, 12 June. Available at: https://earlyyears.blog.gov.uk/2026/06/12/how-safeguarding-and-childrens-welfare-and-wellbeing-underpin-the-september-2026-updates-to-early-years-inspections/

Hosts:

Deborah Brown www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-brown79

Dr Jacqueline Young www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jacqueline-young

Mixing Engineer:

Luke Young www.linkedin.com/in/lukeyoungcomposer

Title music by:

Luke Young www.linkedin.com/in/lukeyoungcomposer

In this episode of The Early Years Together, Deborah Brown and Dr Jacqueline Young explore the key physical developmental milestones that children typically experience from birth to five years. As part of the Movement Matters series, they discuss why physical development is a prime area of learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage and how movement supports children's wellbeing, independence, confidence, and overall development.

The conversation examines both gross motor and fine motor development, outlining typical developmental progressions from infancy through to school readiness. Deborah and Jacqueline explain how skills such as balance, coordination, strength, climbing, running, grasping, mark-making, and self-care develop over time, and highlight the important role of active play and everyday experiences in supporting children's growth.

Listeners will also learn why understanding developmental milestones matters, how practitioners and parents can observe children's progress, and the importance of recognising individual differences rather than comparing children to one another. The episode considers early identification of potential concerns and discusses signs that may warrant closer monitoring or additional support.

Whether you are an early years practitioner, student, parent, or caregiver, this episode provides a practical overview of children's physical development journeys and offers valuable insights into supporting young children to thrive.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how children develop movement skills and why physical development forms the foundation for future learning and success.

Subscribe, share, and step into a podcast made for reflective early years practice.

Episode One References:

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust (n.d.) Developmental delay guidance. Available at: https://cambspborochildrenshealth.nhs.uk/services/cambridgeshire-childrens-physiotherapy-service/developmental-delay-guidance/

Department for Education (2023) Development Matters: non-statutory curriculum guidance for the early years foundation stage. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/development-matters--2

NHS (n.d.) Physical activity guidelines for children under 5 years. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/physical-activity-guidelines-children-under-five-years/

Hosts:

Deborah Brown www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-brown79

Dr Jacqueline Young www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jacqueline-young

Mixing Engineer:

Luke Young www.linkedin.com/in/lukeyoungcomposer

Title music by:

Luke Young www.linkedin.com/in/lukeyoungcomposer