Our highly trained staff connect with children, interact with them, observe their interests, and link their learning to the exciting activities and experiences that we provide.
What Is Sustained Shared Thinking?
Sustained Shared Thinking is when two or more people – an adult and a child, or sometimes two children – work together to think through a problem, explore an idea, or make sense of something. Both parties are actively involved, and the conversation flows both ways: the adult learns from the child as much as the child learns from the adult.
It can happen anywhere, during play, in the kitchen, in the garden, on a trip, and the subject can be anything from counting stones to wondering how much the moon weighs. What makes it “sustained” is that the thinking is extended, because the deep learning that stays with a child happens when both parties keep going. It is one of the most powerful tools we have for building language and critical thinking skills.
Teachable Moments
A Teachable Moment is when a practitioner notices that a child is absorbed in something and recognises an opportunity to extend that learning — either by introducing a new resource, asking an open question, or simply staying close and curious alongside them.
A question like “I wonder what would happen if we…” can open up a whole new line of thinking for a child. These moments are not planned in advance; they happen in the flow of the day, and spotting them takes skill and attention. This responsiveness is at the heart of how we work at Young Friends.
Seeding the Room
We pay close attention to the things that capture each child’s interest, and we use that knowledge to shape the environment around them. When a practitioner notices that a child is fascinated by something — water, birds, patterns, building — they will quietly introduce resources, books or provocations that they know will spark further interest and exploration. This is one of the ways we help every child develop a genuine love of learning.
Children Who Take Responsibility
Learning at Young Friends is not just about ideas and curiosity. It is also about becoming capable and confident in the world. Children are involved in all aspects of their day, preparing food, clearing up, caring for the environment and for each other. Families often tell us that this carries over at home, even with the very youngest children.
Your child will be encouraged to follow whatever interests them each day. They will be supported to see themselves as learners, to understand who they are, to respect the people around them, and to care for the environment they share.
