The Socials Trap - version 2.0
I first wrote about ‘The Socials Trap’ back in December 2022, when we were still feeling the impact of the Covid years. Visits to other settings were limited, training opportunities had moved online, and social media had become one of the main ways we could share practice and ideas with each other. At the time, I wanted to highlight the power of platforms like Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration but also the risks when we try to replicate what we see without considering our own children’s needs.
Fast forward to today, and I’ve decided to write this updated version. As I scroll through my feed, I’m seeing lots of educators busy setting up their classrooms for new starters. It feels like the right time to revisit this idea, because while social media is still an incredible tool, the pressures around it are still very real, and it’s important we hold on to what really matters - meeting the needs of our children.
Social Media: The Good
Social media has become part of our everyday professional lives.
Platforms such as Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok are bursting with inspiration for Early Years educators. In just a few scrolls, you can find beautiful classroom set-ups, clever activity ideas, and creative displays that seem to tick every box. You can connect with educators from across the world, share practice, and feel part of a much bigger professional community.
Social media has proven especially useful at times when in-person visits or professional networking opportunities aren’t always possible. For new educators in particular, it can provide a window into a wide variety of approaches, classroom layouts, and teaching strategies. Used well, it’s a powerful tool.
But like any tool, it comes with a health warning.
What is ‘The Socials Trap’?
The Socials Trap is a phrase I use to describe a common pattern I’ve seen in Early Years practice - seeing a post online and then rushing to replicate it in your classroom without pausing to consider the ‘why’ (intent) or whether it is right for your children.
It’s easy to be drawn in by a visually appealing post – the perfectly set-up tuff tray, the calm neutral-toned environment, or the carefully curated display. These posts often look impressive and can spark exciting ideas. But if we don’t stop to ask ourselves how it meets the needs of our children, in our setting, at this moment in time, we risk slipping into practice that is surface-level rather than meaningful.
Social media can inspire, but it should never dictate.
The Pressure of Perfection
One of the hidden challenges of social media is the pressure it places on educators. When every post you see is a spotless, perfectly styled environment, it’s easy to slip into comparison mode. We begin to think:
My classroom doesn’t look good enough.
I need to do more, try harder, set up something bigger and better.
Or perhaps the most dangerous thought - I need to buy more.
This pressure not only undermines confidence but can also fuel unnecessary spending. The EYFS doesn’t say you need matching baskets, themed resources, or a rotation of brand-new tuff tray fillers each week. What matters is how your provision supports learning, not whether it looks ‘Instagram-worthy.’
Children don’t need perfection – they need authenticity, consistency, and practitioners who understand them. They need a classroom, resources, and provision that supports their learning and development.
Why is this important?
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework makes it clear that teaching and learning must be tailored to the needs of individual children. Ofsted also talks about the three I’s – Intent, Implementation, and Impact – which helps guide what high-quality education looks like in practice.
When we magpie an idea from social media without thinking it through, we skip the ‘intent’ step. Without that golden thread, we risk activities looking good but not truly supporting children’s learning and development. It’s worth remembering that what works brilliantly for one cohort in one setting may not land at all in another.
The Balance Between Inspiration and Intent
So how do we avoid falling into The Socials Trap? By turning inspiration into professional reflection. When you see something online that catches your eye, pause and ask yourself some key questions before you try it out (implement it).
Here are some prompts you can use:
Activities
What is the intent behind this activity?
What skills or knowledge does it develop?
How does it link to the next steps for my children?
Do I need to adapt it?
Is it challenging enough?
Example: A trending fine motor activity might use tweezers and pom-poms. Ask, ‘do my children already have good pincer control, or are they not ready yet? Could they access it independently, or would it frustrate them?’
Pedagogical Approaches
Does this align with my setting’s ethos and pedagogy?
Am I confident in my understanding of this approach?
Is there a small element I could trial, rather than adopting the whole approach?
Example: You might see a Reggio-inspired atelier space online. Ask, ‘does my setting have the time, resources, and knowledge to embed this meaningfully? Or would a smaller-scale provocation be more appropriate?’
Classroom Design
Is my classroom designed around my children, not Instagram?
Does the layout support all seven areas of learning?
Can children access resources independently?
Does it enable children with SEND to thrive?
Example: A neutral, minimalist classroom can appear calm online, but without clear organisation and an enabling layout, it won’t support learning effectively.
Displays
Is this display relevant and purposeful for the children?
Does it represent their work, voice, and creations?
If it’s a working wall, have children been part of building it?
Do they know how to use it?
Example: A ‘perfect’ phonics display pinned from Pinterest may look great, but if children don’t engage with it daily, it’s just wallpaper (that’s another blog!).
Final Thoughts
I use social media daily, and I am often inspired by what I see. But every time, I come back to the same guiding question, why this, why now?
Social media should be a starting point, not a blueprint. By reflecting critically on what we see online, we can transform inspiration into purposeful practice that is rooted in the needs of the children in front of us.
So, next time you’re tempted to replicate that gorgeous post you’ve just saved, take a breath. Ask yourself, ‘does this meet the intent, and will it have impact for my children?’ If yes – go for it. If not – adapt it, or leave it.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Have you ever found yourself in The Socials Trap? Or do you have tips for making social media inspiration work for your setting? Drop me a comment below – let’s keep the conversation going.