Using the 3 I’s in Early Years Practice: Informative, Inspiring, and Inclusive
As a childminder in the UK or early years educator, creating sessions that are fun, engaging, and educational is always a priority. The 3 I’s: Informative, Inspiring, and Inclusive provide a simple framework to support children’s development, emotional well-being, and learning. These principles help children explore, express themselves, and feel valued in your care.
Informative: Sharing Knowledge with Children
Being informative means giving children explanations they can understand while encouraging curiosity. For example, when planting seeds, explain what plants need to grow, let children touch the soil, and ask questions like, “What do you notice happening to our seeds?”
Why it matters: Children learn best when they understand the world around them. Being informative supports language development, critical thinking, and problem-solving, giving children confidence to explore new experiences.
Inspiring: Spark Creativity and Motivation
Being inspiring encourages children to explore and express themselves. Messy play, storytelling, or celebrating achievements shows children that learning is fun. Your enthusiasm and encouragement are contagious!
Why it matters: Inspired children are motivated, creative, and resilient. Activities that spark curiosity also help children express emotions safely and build confidence.
Inclusive: Make Every Child Feel Valued
Being inclusive ensures all children can participate, feel respected, and see their abilities and culture represented. Adapt activities for children with additional needs, and celebrate every child’s contribution.
Why it matters: Inclusive practice builds empathy, social skills, and confidence. Children thrive when they feel included, understood, and supported.
Activity Example: “My Feelings Garden”
Step 1: Informative – Explain that each child will plant a “feeling flower.” Discuss emotions like happy, sad, or excited, and encourage children to think about what makes them feel that way.
Step 2: Inspiring – Provide craft materials for children to create flowers representing their feelings. Play music to spark imagination.
Step 3: Inclusive – Allow children to participate at their own pace. Celebrate everyone’s work to make all children feel included.
Why it works: This activity supports emotional awareness, communication, creativity, and social skills, perfect for childminders and early years educators in the UK.
Why Use the 3 I’s? Linking to Learning Theories
Using 3 I’s activities is more than a practical framework it’s rooted in established early years learning theories.
Informative play aligns with Piaget’s constructivist theory, where children learn by interacting with their environment and making sense of the world themselves.
Inspiring activities connect to Vygotsky’s social development theory. Guided support and encouragement allow children to achieve more than they could alone, fostering creativity, confidence, and resilience.
Inclusive practice reflects Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, recognising that a child’s learning is influenced by relationships, culture, and community. Inclusive activities strengthen social-emotional skills and a sense of belonging.
Activities like the “My Feelings Garden” combine all three I’s, promoting cognitive, social, and emotional development while keeping learning fun, engaging, and meaningful.
Final Thoughts
Incorporating the 3 I’s: Informative, Inspiring, and Inclusive, into your practice ensures children are engaged, confident, and motivated. This approach not only makes sessions enjoyable but also aligns with learning theories and best practice guidance for childminders and early years educators within the United Kingdom
To learn more, please click here