Sheona Gilmour
More than 20 years experience working with early years children and young learners in kindergartens, schools and teaching centres. I never stop learning, growing and changing.
Location Barcelona
Activity
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Sheona Gilmour replied to seda sarıalioğlu
We’re sad too @sedasarıalioğlu! We are so pleased that you’ve enjoyed the last 6 weeks of learning together. All the best.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Uliana Metreveli
Thank you @UlianaMetreveli for your kind words. We’re thrilled that you’ve found the course helpful and above all that you feel more confident. All the best.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Arife ARABACI
Thanks @ArifeARABACI! It’s you and all the participants that make the course work. The fascinating conversations and sharing of experiences from different contexts in so many countries. All working to help and support young children to thrive and flourish is inspiring. All the best.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Noemi C
Thank you @NoemiC for being so active on the course. We’re sad it’s come to an end but so pleased it was useful and has helped you. All the best.
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Thank you so much @MuratAltun. We're so pleased to hear you enjoyed the course, the experts, format and especially James Nottingham. He is so inspirational. Stay safe and all the best.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Simon Hughes
Thank you Simon for your contribution. You spur us on to change mindsets and get the approach right for the young children in our care.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Zehra AL
Thanks so much to you too @ZehraAL for being so active and enthusiastic. All the best with your classes.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Teresa B
I agree @TeresaB we need to work together and that's why we brought parents and teachers together to get a shared understanding of the roles we play in children's lives. Thank you so much for the lovely feedback. It spurs us on to spread the word. We are thrilled you enjoyed the course and found the resources and materials so useful. We wish you all the very...
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Valerie Giaconi
Thanks @ValerieGiaconi, if that natural curiosity is in letters, reading and writing then that can be encouraged too! Incorporating literacy development into their play e.g. having a menu when playing restaurants, signage when playing with transport, shopping lists for playing supermarkets or prices on a market stall, all help children realise that written...
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Great summary of learning this week @BatuhanYıldırım. I think the personalization is the tough one for many contexts, where it's easier to have a one size fits all, but it can be done. As you say, with careful general planning but then more detailed planning once you know the children.
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I agree @DoloresCunningham, comparing the child to themselves not others is key as well as focusing on what they can do rather than what they can't do.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Brooke W
I agree wholeheartedly @BrookeW. This resonates very much with an interview I heard on Early Years TV recently with Rae Pica. She spoke of a class where the children had no initiative to do anything by themselves and didn't even open their books unless directed by the teacher. We have to prepare these children for the future where they can cope with change,...
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It's great that you are enjoying the course @YuliyaYumachikova and there's lots to learn and digest.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Li Sha
Hi @LiSha, we are happy you joined us on the course and hope that you find it useful for both your profession as a teacher and as a mum.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Jonida Rystemi
Welcome @JonidaRystemi to the course. It's great to see such enthusiasm, the best ingredient for working with little kids!
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Vicki Klingner
I couldn't agree more @VickiKlingner, the children need to be valued, listened to and respected. I've done mindfulness and yoga as part of our early years programme even before C19 as part of their English class.
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Hi @GabriellaMG, we are so pleased you enjoyed the course and you would like to further your studies. If you would like to teach children in schools I'd advise you to do a degree in education (in the UK a Bachelor of Education Primary). This would take advantage of your creative background. You can choose the age range (early Years/Primary, older primary...
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Nicola Klein
Great to hear this @NicolaKlein. All the best.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Simge Güler
Thanks @SimgeGüler, we're sad too! It's amazing how the time flies. We're delighted that you have found the course useful.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Win Thu Khaing
@WinThuKhaing What wonderful memories of playing outside and using the natural environment to develop the imagination.
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Great to see such optimism @MelecinaMatsinhe and that you can implement what you are learning already.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to sophie Chaise
a great summary of learning this week @sophieChaise.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Catherine Thomson
Hi @CatherineThomson, looking forward to hearing about the children you teach in Spain and the challenges you face.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to meiyue kwong
Hi @meiyuekwong, welcome to the course. We're looking forward to hearing about the children you teach.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Cecilia Aimacaña
Welcome @CeciliaAimacaña to the course. Can you please write your comments in English or check that your browser isn't ticked to automatically translate? We'd like everyone to be able to understand. Thank you.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to leili golshahi
Hi @leiligolshahi, as you work through the course in each week there is a want to know more step where we link to articles and books. Also on the Facebook Live steps in week 1 and 5 there are lots of links and further resources as well as in the Q&A. We also link to extra resources on the end of week video steps too.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Fatima Zahra El Hamri
@FatimaZahraElHamri, we are so pleased you have taken away so much from the the course. Happy children learn best! All the best.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Helen Draper
Thank you @HelenDraper for recommending the course and your active participation. We have thoroughly enjoyed reading your comments and hearing about the children in your care.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Katarzyna Fafara
A great example of working together for the benefit of the child @KatarzynaFafara. It also shows that when he was at home and was comfortable he was able to do well.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Helen Draper
The Parents' Wow board is a lovely idea @HelenDraper.
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I agree @JudithMorrison @NilayKILIÇ and they know if we are making a judgment about them.
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They are fascinating aren't they @RanjeetaKaur? I think we all behave differently when we are in large groups, individually or at home. That's why we need to be inclusive so we cater to everyone's personality type.
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Precious time @SouriAria.
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Thanks @YusufAttilaYiğit for sharing this experience of ongoing observation. The development statements we saw in week 1 are part of the Early Years Foundation Stage from England that work with the Observation, Assessment and Planning cycle, and they are to help detect special needs, intervene early and give the necessary support. You've made a real difference...
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Thank you @KathleenNelson for sharing how observations and Nurture teachers work in your school.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Ali Monibi
I couldn't agree more @AliMonibi.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Marcelo de Cristo
I agree @MarcelodeCristo about including photos and videos as evidence of learning.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Judy Murray
@JudyMurray, if you are interested in how the brain works you might find Mine Conkbayir’s books interesting. https://mineconkbayir.co.uk
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Luiza Macedo
@MuhammedÖzgürYaşar @LuizaMacedo and most importantly with very young children we are creating memories which can have a life long effect on learning and that’s why it needs to be a positive experience. On the course we take you back to your own experiences of being a child so you can remember what stays with you. Thanks for a great conversation!
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Thanks @ValerieGiaconi, your mother gave you a real gift by reading to you and giving you quality time. I'm sure this helped you no end as you progressed through school.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Lan Hạ
Thanks @LanHạ. If you can encourage the parents not to compare and to be more patient, I think the progress will be evident because they are more motivated and engaged. All the best.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Iva N.
What amazing memories @IvaN and so much learning, especially life skills. Those rich play experiences outside used all the senses, helping with emotional wellbeing and our close connection to nature.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Nimasha Pieris
@NimashaPieris, I agree that learning about the brain is fascinating. New studies and research in recent years are having a huge impact on education as we improve our understanding of how the brain works. You might find Mine Conkbayir's books on neuroscience interesting:...
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Ji youn Lheem
Hi @JiyounLheem, We hope you find the course relevant and interesting and it helps you to teach your 4 year old. Looking forward to hearing more about him and what you've been doing with him so far.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Foy Rita
Welcome @FoyRita to the course. We are really looking forward to hearing about the children you teach and what you do with them in their English classes. All the best.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to damaris luzon
Hi @damarisluzon, welcome to the course. Can you please write your comments in English or check that your browser isn't ticked to automatically translate in to Spanish? Many thanks and enjoy the course.
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A third hand is beautiful way to describe the key person @ALPTUGBUYUKKOPRU! Thank you.
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Sheona Gilmour made a comment
We often incorporate total physical response activities into the classroom especially for the little learners who need to be active and move. One example after doing the story of the Little Red Hen was doing mindfulness by pretending to be a seed.
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Sheona Gilmour made a comment
When I think of adversities I have faced I think of moving to another country to live and work. I overcame the many challenges (employment, making ends meet, finding somewhere to live, loneliness) thanks to the support I had from amazing friends who became my adopted family. That's why at the moment it is so tough because it is the human element that helps us...
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Sheona Gilmour made a comment
In the programme I work on we teach English through play for 2-6 year olds. We have a story context, a 2 year old lamb, Timmy, who goes to nursery with his friends, a puppy, a kitten, a fox cub etc. Timmy makes mistakes and the children share the same struggles (self regulation, sharing, turn taking, frustration). After seeing Timmy, they develop empathy,...
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Sheona Gilmour made a comment
1. What makes me feel emotionally well? At first my answer was feeling listened to, valued, trusted, supported and respected but with the challenging times we are all living I have rediscovered more basic needs, like being outside, connecting with nature, disconnecting news alerts/social media and regularly exercising.
2. What makes children feel emotionally... -
Sheona Gilmour replied to Kasia L.
Hi @KasiaL. The live broadcast was here: https://www.facebook.com/LearnEnglishParents.BritishCouncil/ and the recording will be upload to this step tomorrow morning (before noon UK time). We hope you enjoy.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Zehra AL
Thank you @ZehraAL for joining us. We got some great questions and thoroughly enjoyed it.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to melissa hoad
Thanks @melissahoad for being so active and also joining the live broadcast. We are really pleased you found it useful and look forward to hearing how you get putting into practice activities based on what a child likes to watch.
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I agree @GülsedaSezgiDağdelen that it's all about the quality of the experience and the play activities either at home or at kindergarten.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Sophie D
Music is so beneficial emotionally and breathing techniques lowers stress levels and are used in mindfulness and well being programmes. Thanks for sharing @SophieD.
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Thanks @AyşenurKansu.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Aysel özer
Thanks @Ayselözer for such encouraging feedback. We are very happy that you found the week so interesting and relevant. If we genuinely care about the children we teach then their social and emotional wellbeing is paramount and without it, we'll lose them along the way, and possibly set them up for failure.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Dumebi Ezar
I'm so sorry that your kindergarten experience was not a positive one. I think many of us become teachers after a negative experience so we can all do better for the children in our care.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Kasia L.
That's a great example of developing literacy while following the child's interest playing school @KasiaL. It wasn't forced on you before you were ready and it was driven by your interests. Did you become an avid reader?
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Silvia Sardo
I agree @SilviaSardo. We all have good intentions but we have all fallen into the trap of praising and labelling at some point. That's why Carol Dweck's work has had such an impact as the concept of Mindsets has emerged.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Amalia Perna
What a wonderfully free childhood @AmaliaPerna! A lot of my memories too were also outside and taking full advantage of nature to recreate different worlds, houses, schools, potions etc.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Christina Perri
Hi @ChristinaPerri, I'm s pleased you found the first week interesting and you learnt so much and are motivated to continue with the course. Each week gets even more fascinating and hooks you in even more.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Priscila Renck
Welcome to the course @PriscilaRenck. Looking forward to reading your comments as you work through the course and seeing how they could change your perspective and affect your lesson plans for early years. Do you teach the children you write the plans for?
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Paola Zanon
Thank you @PaolaZanon for sharing this one. I'll definitely look it up.
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Wow @AyşenurKansu, what an experience. You were so lucky to be with this inspirational teacher for so long. Did you stay in touch with him?
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Thanks @NadiiaZhevniak for sharing this experience of inclusiveness and respect. When a teacher is inspirational we are often passionate about the subject.
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That freedom to be you is invaluable @RanjeetaKaur. The focus on effort is what is important.
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@OmfatmaFatma I couldn't agree more, and including adults.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Nicola Martin
Thanks @NicolaMartin for sharing this experience. I sympathise as I was nearly smacked as a 4 year old but my mum arrived and saved me. That moment stayed with me! I wasn't allowed to go to the toilet and couldn't wait any longer so unfortunately had a little accident.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to simona brioschi
Thank you @simonabrioschi for sharing this experience. Unfortunately in many classrooms it is about getting right answers and not learning to think deeply or to develop skills.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Ekaterina Kulagina
Lovely examples @EkaterinaKulagina and thanks for contrasting two different experiences and how they made you feel.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Chetali Rawal
Thank you @ChetaliRawal for sharing this story. Curious George also works at engaging young children because the stories are based on themes that they’re really interested in.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Shaibya Rana
Thanks for sharing your favourite @ShaibyaRana. This classic story gives the context for some really lovely outdoor experiences observing the natural environment and seeking to understand the world we live. Children are fascinated.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Nataliia Kukta
Thanks @NataliiaKukta for sharing this story. It’s always good to discover a new one.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Luiza Macedo
Absolutely @LuizaMacedo! I often hear of teachers planning all their lessons before even meeting the children.
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Sheona Gilmour made a comment
My more vivid memories of play were nearly always outdoors and when I was on holiday e.g. skimming the sea with flat stones, jumping over puddles or climbing trees. They were free and unstructured.
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Sheona Gilmour made a comment
Hi everyone, I've lead on a global early years' project for 8 years teaching English to 2-6 year olds using play-based learning. The portfolio includes face to face courses, a Mooc on Future Learn, YouTube series (now on Netflix) and apps I am passionate about following the child's interest, social and emotional aspects of learning, physical development as...
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Kathleen Nelson
It sounds very interesting and good to see how you work with the parents. Thanks @KathleenNelson for the detailed explanation.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Prabin Tanchangya
We are too @PrabinTanchangya! It's one of my favourite weeks, with the social and emotional aspects of learning.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Natallia Barashko
Hi @NatalliaBarashko, it's flexible. You can do it in advance if you wish, when you have internet or when you get back. You have an extra two weeks added to the six weeks it takes to complete the course from when you enrolled. Enjoy your holiday.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Simon Hughes
Hi @SimonHughes, great to see the impact this week has had on you and the interesting conversations going on. It would be nice to see more emphasis on psychological aspect of learning in teacher training programmes.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Narmitha Jithesh
Wonderful examples @NarmithaJithes of how you were trying to understand nature like tea comes from leaves, plants provide colourings.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Tania Basilio
hi @TaniaBasilio, welcome to the course. We're really looking forward to hearing all about the children you've taught over the last 37 years. There's so much experience you can share with us all. All the best with your grandsons.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Sunnie Tan
Hi @SunnieTan , welcome to the course. We really hope you learn a lot and enjoy sharing your experience with your little ones with participants from all around the world.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Shaun MacLoughlin
Welcome @ShaunMacLoughlin. Looking forward to hearing about your experience with children in Thailand and Nepal and teaching through drama.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Kathleen Nelson
So many happy memories of playing and learning @KathleenNelson. Lots of negotiating skills as well as resolving conflict too. It's nice to remember when we still sent thank you letters!
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Sheona Gilmour replied to leili golshahi
Welcome @leiligolshahi to the course. We are looking to hearing about the children in your care and their experience of learning English.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Neşe Coşkun
An excellent summary of the week @NeşeCoşkun. All the best with week 5.
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I had a similar experience with French at school @UlianaMetreveli. All grammar and I still can't speak French.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Edyta Coetzee
Thanks @EdytaCoetzee for a lovely example of how to follow the child's interests and build trust, especially in an online environment.
Do you already have an established relationship with these children? Or has all the contact been online? -
Sheona Gilmour replied to Arife ARABACI
I agree @ArifeARABACI! Attention is key and that has to be based on their interests. Thanks for sharing.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Lan Hạ
Hi @LanHạ, do you work with parents to change their perception of learning? Learning a language is a lifelong process so motivation is also key. In week 6 we will be looking at progress and challenge and that could be a way of getting parents on board.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Ekaterina Kulagina
Thank you @EkaterinaKulagina for sharing this lovely example. Learning about different notes and sounds has great benefits for language learning too.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Suganya Ganesh
Hi @SuganyaGanesh, a great example. Sounds like lots of patience, control and focus is needed as well as being able to follow instructions. Did you learn about timing and rhythm and how to work with the music? Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks @MerveZıvdır for sharing this with us all. I agree we want children to grow up confident with self belief to be their best selves, and making comparisons does not help with this.
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Great summary of your learning @ElizavetaPanasenko. All the best next week.
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Sheona Gilmour replied to Karolina Swieconek
Such lovely memories @KarolinaSwieconek.
