Mine Conkbayir
Award Winning Author, Lecturer And Trainer
Mine is an award-winning author, lecturer and trainer. She has worked in the field of early childhood education and care for over 17 years. Mine is the winner of the Nursery Management Today (NMT) Top 5 Most Inspirational People in Childcare Award.
Founder of the Cache Endorsed Learning Programme, ‘Applying Neuroscience to Early Intervention.’ Mine is currently collaborating with the Metropolitan police force, undertaking independent research which explores the connection adverse childhood experiences (ACE’s) and criminality.
She is also undertaking a PhD in early childhood education and neuroscience to develop her work in the complex and challenging subject of infant brain development. Her key objective is to bridge the gap between neuroscience and early years discourse and practice. She hopes that her research will provide the necessary evidence to seek solutions to this persistent issue, with the ultimate goal of enhancing provision for babies, children and young adults.
Key takeaways:
- Monet's Background and Expertise: Monet is an award-winning author and trainer, recognized as one of the top five inspirational people in childcare by Nursery Management Today. She is organizing a conference and has developed an award-winning training program focused on self-regulation in early years.
- Critique of EYFS Self-Regulation Goals: Monet strongly criticizes the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) self-regulation Early Learning Goals (ELGs), arguing they misrepresent self-regulation by reducing it to simplistic, measurable tasks (e.g., toileting, listening to teachers) rather than addressing complex emotional and cognitive skills.
- Definition of Self-Regulation: Self-regulation involves managing overwhelming emotions (e.g., fear, anger), exercising self-control, focusing attention, delaying gratification, curbing impulsive behavior, and developing problem-solving skills, all critical for lifelong success.
- Importance of Emotional Wellbeing: Monet emphasizes prioritizing children’s emotional safety and wellbeing over rigid academic assessments, arguing that without a secure emotional foundation, children cannot effectively learn or develop higher-order thinking skills.
- Co Plants to Cry: Monet strongly opposes controlled crying for babies, as it can lead to distrust and poor attachment, negatively impacting brain development and self-regulation abilities.
- Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): ACEs (e.g., abuse, neglect) hinder self-regulation by keeping children in a constant fight-or-flight state, but a supportive adult can help mitigate these effects by fostering emotional safety and coping skills.
- Practical Strategies for Practitioners: Monet advocates for creating safe spaces, using tools like glitter jars, and fostering open dialogues with children and parents to support self-regulation, rather than adhering to outdated behavior management policies.
- Call to Action for Educators: Practitioners should challenge inadequate ELGs, seek professional development, and create child-centered approaches, such as mindfulness and sensory experiences, to support self-regulation and emotional growth.
- Conference and Resources: Monet’s upcoming conference (almost sold out) and her self-regulation e-learning program (launching January 31) aim to embed neuroscience-based knowledge into early years practice, empowering educators and parents to prioritize children’s emotional wellbeing.
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