Early Years Degree Students Create Children's Books to Tackle Sensitive Topics

Students studying Early Years degrees at East Sussex College have showcased their creativity and professional understanding by writing and illustrating children's books designed to help young children navigate sensitive and challenging life experiences.

Created as part of their degree studies, the books explore a range of important themes, including belonging, grief, loss, and feelings of isolation, helping young readers understand and process complex emotions through engaging, age-appropriate storytelling.

The books were proudly displayed during the College's recent Degree Open Day, where prospective students had the opportunity to meet current learners and see first-hand the innovative projects being developed as part of higher education programmes at East Sussex College.

Among the featured authors were Morgan Pavitt, who wrote George Finds Where He Belongs; Tara Goldsmith, author of Hello Baby Sister; and Olga Pavloviciene, who created The Boy Who Felt Invisible.

The books were produced as part of a university-level Early Years module exploring children's literature and emotional development. The project challenged students to create age-appropriate stories that support young children's language, literacy and emotional wellbeing, while demonstrating how carefully chosen books can help children understand difficult experiences and encourage meaningful conversations with trusted adults.

For Morgan, the project was an opportunity to explore themes of belonging and acceptance through a child's perspective.

Tara's book explores how young children can understand and process the loss of an expected baby sibling, using gentle, age-appropriate storytelling to help families navigate a difficult and often overlooked conversation.

“My book focuses on helping young children understand and talk about a topic that I feel does not have enough awareness and is often difficult for parents and carers to discuss with their children,” Tara told the College. “I wanted to create a resource that presents the subject in a gentle, age-appropriate way, encouraging open conversations and helping children feel safe asking questions. My inspiration came from recognising the lack of accessible resources available for families and wanting to support both children and adults in navigating these important discussions.

“What I enjoyed most was being able to combine my knowledge of child development with creativity to produce something meaningful for children and families. I particularly enjoyed thinking about how to communicate complex ideas in a way that young children could understand. Through the project, I learned a great deal about children’s literature, inclusive communication, and the importance of carefully considering children’s emotional and developmental needs when creating educational resources.”

Tara said the course has strengthened her understanding of child development, safeguarding and effective Early Years practice, while also developing her research, critical thinking and communication skills.

"Most importantly, it has given me the confidence to take on projects such as writing this book and to apply my knowledge in ways that can positively impact children and families. I would encourage anyone considering a degree at East Sussex College to take the opportunity. Whether you are looking to advance your career or pursue a personal passion, studying at East Sussex College can be a rewarding and empowering experience."

Meanwhile, Olga's story addresses feelings of loneliness and being overlooked, encouraging children to recognise their own value and seek support when needed.

"My book was inspired by my work with parents of neurodiverse children, my experience as a NeuroEducator, and my wider work with children, families, and educational professionals,” said Olga.

“Through this work, I have become increasingly aware that when one child in a family has neurodiversity, complex needs, disability, or requires a high level of support, siblings can sometimes feel overlooked, even within very loving families. These children may deeply love their sibling and want to help their parents, but they may also quietly struggle with needing attention, reassurance, and emotional support themselves.

“I wanted to create a book that gently gives visibility to the siblings’ experience, while also approaching the family situation with kindness and without blame. The aim is to support earlier recognition, understanding, and conversation, as acknowledging and supporting siblings' needs sooner can positively impact the child and the whole family dynamic.”

Olga said the project helped her appreciate how meaningful and relevant her studies are to real-life practice.

“The project was very enjoyable, although not always easy. I needed to stay focused, follow the structure, and ensure the work remained academically grounded. However, it gave me a deeper appreciation of the course, because the topics we study feel meaningful and connected to real children, real families, and real practice.”

The project highlights the importance of storytelling within Early Years education and demonstrates how future practitioners can use books and creative resources to support children's emotional development and wellbeing.

Anji Golledge, Subject Leader for Early Years and Health & Social Care at East Sussex College, said: “The students on our courses are often responsible for very vulnerable children; these books address difficult situations in a way that allow children to process their emotions in a safe place. The creation of the books introduces students to using AI in a relevant and informative way. Along the way they all discovered they could be authors and enjoyed the process and have great well deserved pride in their own books.”

If you're passionate about supporting young children's learning and development and are interested in studying Early Years at degree level, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch with our University-Level team at helloHE@escg.ac.uk to discuss your options and register your interest in future Early Years programmes at East Sussex College.