Speedy Spotlight: ABC Does

ABC Does will be featured in this week’s Media Updates. Author Alistair Bryce-Clegg spoke to Cision about Early Years Education, play dough and effective PR.

Why should people read your blog?
I wanted my blog to be the sort of thing that I could read as a busy practitioner to get some up-to-date advice on how children learn as well as some practical ideas of how to make the theory work in their setting.

To do this I use real examples of my work in various settings internationally as well as sharing key bits of information that I learn when writing and researching my books and publications. 

What’s the most important issue in your blogosphere?
At the moment it is trying to make some sense of all of the changes that are taking place in Early Years Education and giving practitioners some help, support and guidance in doing their job effectively without getting weighed down by paper work and ineffective approaches.

What’s your favourite blog and why?
I don’t really have one. I like to ‘blog hop’ in the spare time I have. I enjoy reading about the theory of education and how children learn, but I also love looking at the ‘make and do’ blogs and discovering a play dough recipe that I have never tried before or an activity I think my readers will enjoy having a go at. 

How often do you aim to post?
I post at least once every week, often twice depending on how much time I have. 

How do you feel about guest posts?
I think any blog benefits from a guest post as it gives the readers a different perspective, point of view and writing style. I don’t publish every guest post that I am offered, only the ones that are in keeping with the ethos of my blog and that say something interesting and relevant. I also approach other bloggers and Early Years practitioners to write for me.

How does a good PR work with you?
A good PR would have an in-depth knowledge of the field that I am working in so that they were aware of the current trends and issues that I was thinking and writing about. A good PR would be able to effectively communicate my message to a wider audience and provide effective feedback which would support me in shaping my blog for the future. A good PR should be an effective partner. 

What do PRs do that’s bad?
A bad PR  would show a  lack of understanding of the specific areas that I work in, have a poor perception of the views and everyday job requirements of the people who read my blog, have poor planning and marketing skills and resort to a ‘mass market’ rather than ‘bespoke’ approach.

Editorial information on ABC Does, Alistair Bryce-Clegg and thousands of other media outlets and contacts can be found in the CisionPoint Media Database.