Building Positive Relationships in the Early Years: Conversations to Empower Children, Professionals, Families and Communities (Little Minds Matter)

In this unique and original book, Jamel Carly Campbell and Sonia Mainstone-Cotton come together to have an open and honest conversation about developing positive and responsive relationships in the early years.

The book is divided into three main chapters – building positive relationships with children; with other professionals; and with families and the wider community – and each conversation explores a range of key themes, from building trust and listening to the voice of the child, to diversifying practice and creating a setting that represents the wider community. These discussions encourage the reader to consider the connections we make every day, to rethink and empower their practice, and to place a much higher value on their position as an early years advocate.

With reflective questions included to allow the reader to think about their own practice, as well as suggested further reading to explore the themes in more depth, this engaging and accessible book is a must-read for all early years professionals – and, importantly, encourages every practitioner to begin new conversations of their own.

Jamel Carly Campbell is an early years educator, early years consultant and aspiring children’s author. Early years is his speciality, and he has been in the industry for over 20 years. He has also worked in youth clubs and schools, and mentored children with SEND. Jamel is one of the UK’s Men in the Early Years ambassadors and has featured on CBeebies "Tiny happy people'' as an Early Years advisor.

Sonia Mainstone-Cotton is a freelance nurture consultant. She currently works in a specialist team supporting 3- and 4-year-olds who have social, emotional and mental health needs. She also trains staff across the country, working with children’s centres, schools, nurseries, charities and churches. Sonia has written eight books.