Covermounts – Educational Value

In line with our magazine content, which follows the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the covermounts on our Fun To Learn magazines facilitate play-based learning opportunities that complement the seven areas of learning in the EYFS; Communication and Language Development, Physical Development, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Literacy Development, Mathematics, Understanding of the World, and Expressive Arts and Design, along with their associated Early Learning Goals. They also facilitate different types of play opportunities as described by play expert, Bob Hughes, who has defined 16 ‘types of play’ in this book, A Playworker’s Taxonomy of Play Types (2002).

Our covermounts, such as medical sets, shopping sets, tea sets and bubble-blowing sets, go through the same stringent toy safety (EN71, IS08124 and UKCA) testing as regular toys and have a multi-use function. As with regular toys, children will turn to them time and time again for further enjoyment.

The importance of play in early childhood development and education has been recognised for over a century. Our thinking behind play has been influenced by the work of many theorists, educationalists, psychologists, sociologists, researchers, and practitioners, including Piaget, Vygotsky, Montessori, Steiner, Parton and Bob Hughes.

There were 4.2 million UK children living in poverty in 2019, according to Government figures. The affordability of our covermounted magazines (typically £3.99, which includes a covermount, magazine, stickers and educational workbook) offer all children an opportunity to play and learn.