Theories and Approaches in the Early Years

Theories and Approaches in the Early Years equips nursery practitioners with essential knowledge of child development theories and evidence-based approaches that support young learners' growth. This course explores the insights of key theorists like Piaget, Bowlby, and Froebel, offering practical strategies to enhance cognitive, emotional, and social development.

Why This Course Matters

Understand Key Theories of Child Development

Gain a strong understanding of core child development theories, including Piaget, Bowlby, Froebel, and Vygotsky, and learn how to apply them in your daily practice to support children's emotional, cognitive, and social growth.

Explore Neuroscience in Early Years Development

Understand how early brain development influences children’s learning and emotional well-being. Learn to apply this knowledge to create brain-friendly, supportive environments in your nursery setting.

Apply Evidence-Based Approaches

Discover how to integrate widely recognised early years frameworks, such as Te Whāriki and Montessori, into practice to promote holistic child development and create inclusive, nurturing learning environments.

Course Information

How To
Course Modules
Duration
Assessments
Disclaimer

Step 1
Click the 'Launch Course' button to begin your learning journey. Work through all the course content at your own pace, ensuring you fully understand each section. Don’t forget to complete and pass each module’s assessment. Once you’ve successfully completed all the modules, your course progress will show as 100% completed.

Step 2
Congratulations on completing the course! Your next step is to click the 'Feedback Form' button. Take a moment to share your thoughts on the course. Your feedback is invaluable and helps us continuously improve the learning experience for future users.

Step 3
You’ve now unlocked your personalised certificate! Click the 'View Certificate' button below to access and download your certificate. Celebrate your achievement by sharing it with your employer or adding it to your professional records.

This course is designed to take approximately 30 minutes to complete, though the actual time may vary depending on how deeply you engage with the material. Everyone learns at their own pace, so take the time you need to fully understand each concept.


To get the most out of this course, focus on absorbing the content rather than rushing through it. Reflect on the material, take notes, and think about how you can apply these insights to your daily practice. Meaningful learning is about understanding and growth, not just finishing quickly.

To successfully complete this course, you’ll need to achieve a score of 80% or higher on the final assessments at the end of each module. This course has 1 module so there is 1 assessment. The landing page of each assessment will give further details. This pass mark ensures that you’ve understood the core concepts and are prepared to confidently apply them in practice.

You’re not limited to a single attempt - feel free to take the assessments as many times as you need to achieve your best result. Each assessment includes built-in feedback to help you reflect on your answers and deepen your understanding.

If you encounter any questions or need additional support, our experienced team is here to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance or clarification as you progress through the course. Remember, the assessments are designed to support your learning journey, not to cause stress. Take your time and aim for mastery!
All our courses are regularly reviewed and updated to align with the latest statutory guidance, legislation, and best practices in early years education. However, it is the responsibility of individual practitioners and organisations to ensure the training meets the specific requirements of their Local Authority or regulatory body. Local policies and procedures may differ, and additional training may be required to fully comply with their standards.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the course content, we cannot accept responsibility for any omissions or errors resulting from practitioners misinterpreting or failing to apply the guidance provided. Practitioners are expected to act within the boundaries of their role and adhere to professional and organisational guidelines at all times.

We maintain the integrity and validity of our courses by continually updating content to reflect changes in legislation, policies, and procedures. This course also includes public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, ensuring the information is accurate, accessible, and credible.
Theories and Approaches to Child Development
This module covers key child development theories from Piaget, Bowlby, Froebel, Vygotsky, and others, exploring how these inform practice in early years settings. It also includes insights into early brain development and how it shapes children’s learning and emotional regulation. Practitioners will learn to apply these theories and neuroscience to create engaging, brain-friendly environments that support holistic growth and foster emotional well-being.

Our students love us  

"This course gave me practical strategies to deal with challenging behaviours. I now feel more confident in creating a positive atmosphere for the children."
— Laura J.
"The focus on adult behaviour and its influence on children was very enlightening. It’s helped me become more mindful of my actions and their impact."
— Sam P.