High Quality Interactions
Week 1 – What Makes an Interaction ‘High Quality’?
High-quality interactions sit at the heart of effective early years practice. It is through warm, responsive and purposeful exchanges that children develop language, deepen their thinking and build secure relationships with the adults around them. In this session, we'll explore what makes an interaction truly high quality and consider how small, intentional changes to the way practitioners listen, respond and engage can create powerful opportunities for learning and development throughout the day.
Week 2 – The Art of Questioning Young Children
Effective questioning in the early years is about creating opportunities for children to think, wonder and express their ideas rather than simply finding the ‘right’ answer. Carefully chosen questions, alongside plenty of time to respond, can extend language, deepen thinking and spark curiosity. In this session, we’ll explore how practitioners can use questions naturally within play and everyday interactions to encourage richer conversations and support children’s learning and development.
Week 3 – Following Children’s Interests
Children are most deeply engaged when learning connects with what fascinates, excites and matters to them. By noticing and responding to children’s interests, practitioners can create meaningful opportunities to extend language, deepen thinking and introduce new learning. In this session, we’ll explore how to recognise children’s interests and use them as a starting point for purposeful interactions, while ensuring adults continue to broaden experiences and move learning forward.
Week 4 – Language That Builds Thinking
The language adults use can shape how children think, explore and make sense of the world around them. Through thoughtful comments, modelling vocabulary and extending children’s ideas, practitioners can turn everyday interactions into powerful opportunities for learning. In this session, we’ll explore practical ways to use language to encourage curiosity, develop reasoning and deepen children’s thinking, without taking over their play or conversation.
Week 5 – Knowing When Not to Intervene
High-quality interactions aren't always about stepping in—sometimes the most powerful thing an adult can do is stand back, observe and give children space to explore. Knowing when not to intervene allows children to sustain concentration, solve problems, take appropriate risks and develop independence. In this session, we'll explore how practitioners can recognise when adult involvement will enhance learning and when giving children time and space can lead to richer play, deeper thinking and greater confidence.
Week 6 – Reflecting on Adult Practice
High-quality early years practice develops when adults take time to notice, reflect and refine the way they interact with children. Small changes to when we step in, the language we use and how carefully we listen can have a significant impact on children’s learning and development. In this final session, we’ll reflect on the key principles explored throughout the series and consider how purposeful reflection can strengthen adult interactions and ensure every child benefits from consistently high-quality practice.