The story of Little Beans first day at school
Jane Baker
The story begins with presenting Little Bean with different situations and recognising that they have changed colour in response. For example, Little Bean turns red at the realisation that they have forgotten their water bottle.
Once at school, Little Bean notices that their other classmates are also multiple colours, indicating their different feelings about the first day of school. The narrator (the Teacher) begins to describe the different emotions, with imagery and descriptive language appropriate for the EYFS classroom.
Alongside each description, are 3 self-regulation techniques to help the child to feel in control of the emotion. This may include a breathing technique, drinking water, reading a story etc.
These simple self-regulation strategies were extensively researched, and along with my own experience as an early years foundation stage practitioner. I made sure that they were appropriate for younger children, particularly the different breathing techniques, many of which I had used with children in Circle time sessions.
Furthermore, I used my experience identify different strategies children often chose or responded well to when attempting to self-regulate. I wanted to promote strategies the children could independently access at school, such as fruit from their lunch box or a teddy from the book corner.
