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Here is a perfect guide on the spots, the symptoms, how to care for your child with chickenpox, and when to visit your doctor. What is it? Chickenpox is caused by a virus called varicella zoster. It is contagious, which means that someone who has it can easily spread it to someone else through coughing and sneezing. A person is most contagious during the first 2 to 5 days of being sick - and it’s most common for schoolchildren. Due to this, if you believe your child has chickenpox they shouldn’t attend school/preschool. What are the symptoms? The most common symptoms are a fever and a rash of spots that look like blisters. Other symptoms can include a runny nose, a cough, a headache, aching muscles, and/or stomachache and a loss of appetite. It’s common that the itchy spots/blisters will only appear one to two days AFTER other symptoms have been noticed. Where are the most common areas? Behind the ears, on the chest, stomach, arms, and legs. However, the spots can appear on the face, scalp, and even around their mouths. Please note, the quantity of spots does not equate to the intensity of the infection. Some children may only have a few spots, while others may be covered from head to toe! Due to this, if you see any spots, please inform your child’s school to help prevent the spread of the virus. Photo credit: NHS ; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chickenpox/ How do I look after a child with chickenpox? Treat the symptoms! For example, Use paracemamol for a high temperature. Use calamine lotion and antihistamines to help ease itching. Adding bicarbonate of sofa to bath water may also help soothe a baby’s itching. Make sure the child is weating loose-fitting clothing, to help stop the skin from becoming sore and irritated. Also, make sure the child is getting lots of fluids - and avoid salty foods that may make their mouths sore. Due to the itching, make sure fingernails are clean and short. If the itching occurs throughout the night, maybe even try placing gloves on their hands at night. What happens next? The spots will blister, and then the blisters will crust over to form scabs, which will eventually naturally fall off - usually within one to two weeks after the first symptoms started. If your child has chickenpox they should be kept away from others as much as possible - to help prevent the spread. This means, no childcare, nursery, or school until the blisters have scabbed over - which usually takes 5 to 6 days. Make sure infected clothing or bedding is regularly washed to help prevent the infection from spreading in the household. When should you visit your doctor? According to the NHS, Chickenpox is most common in children under 10, and are more likely to catch the infection throughout winter and spring - due to the increase in coughing and sneezing. Chickenpox is also so common that 90% of adults are immune, due to having it as a child, so there is no immediate reason to visit your doctor. However, unfortunately some children can become seriously ill with the infection. If you notice your child is having difficulty breathing, or if the blisters have become infected, visit your doctor straight away. What if I want more information? Please check out the kidshealth.org website ; https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/chicken-pox.html Or the NHS website ; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chickenpox/

World Book Day is the biggest annual celebration of authors, illustrators, and books in the world and (most importantly), it is a celebration of reading! Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success – more than their family circumstances, their parents’ educational background or their income. We want to see more children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with a life-long habit of reading for pleasure and the improved life chances this brings them. www.worldbookday.com So let's begin! Ducklings Readers - Our first free resource is our Ducklings Readers platform on our website; https://www.ducklingspreschool.co.uk/readers . This area of our website is dedicated to promoting reading at home, with worksheets, storybooks, storytime reading videos, articles and more. Free Printable Bookmarks Here are a few bookmark designs to impress any child's interest! From sharks, to unicorns, to planes, and outer space! Feel free to view, download, print off, and share whichever designs you like! World Book Day Bunting World Book Day Main Toolkit Dressing up Ideas for educators and parents World Book Day Celebration Pack Party Poster for World Book Day World Book Day Family Pack All of the above resources have been found on www.worldbookday.com website or designed by Ducklings Preschool. For some more fantastic resources, please check out the ones below; Reading for pleasure activities: choice and voice, by A National Literacy Trust membership resource. For last-minute costume ideas, make sure to check out these great blogs, https://www.madeformums.com/toddler-and-preschool/last-minute-easy-world-book-day-costumes/ https://www.netmums.com/world-book-day/top-world-book-day-costume-ideas/2-bob-the-builder-costume https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/easy-costumes-world-book-day-17813704 From the entire team at Ducklings, we hope you have an incredible time celebrating World Book Day 2023!

The MK Gallery - Milton Keynes Gallery, 900 Midsummer Blvd, Milton Keynes, MK 9 3QA The MK Gallery is a contemporary visual arts gallery which hosts touring exhibitions, workshops, and even kids' craft events! Check out their website for the most up-to-date events! https://mkgallery.org/ Their next kid's crafts event is on February 11th, from 12-4 pm, called Cardboard Creations - Family Fun Day! 2. Great Linford Manor Park - Parklands, Great Linford, Milton Keynes MK14 5DZ Great Linford Manor Park is a beautiful place for all the family to enjoy the great outdoors and discover the history of the local area - with a history stretching back to at least the Saxon times. The park also has a play sculpture trail and an infant play area! And if that isn't enough; pack a picnic, binoculars, or even a scavenger hunt for extra entertainment! Another advantage is this park has free parking, available at Marsh Dr, Great Linford, Milton Keynes, MK14 5AS. Find out more information at: https://www.theparkstrust.com/parks/great-linford-manor-park/ 3. Milton Keynes Arts Centre - Milton Keynes Arts Centre, Parklands, MK 14 5DZ "Milton Keynes Arts Centre is situated in the heart of the 18th century Great Linford Manor Park. We present a programme of artists’ projects, events and educational activities inspired by our unique location. We provide access to specialist ceramic, silversmithing and wood shop resources, and the space to explore new ideas and directions in the development of craft, design and the visual arts." - https://miltonkeynesartscentre.org/About With constant events on, we recommend checking out their events through their website. For example, this February half-term, they are hosting some family-friendly making and creating sessions with artist leaders. For example, they have a Valentine's inspired ink painting with Gaby Radiguet, and a lyric writing session with Rachael Inwood. 4. Visit the Concrete Cows - H3 Monks Way, Milton Keynes MK13 0QP Milton Keynes has become famous for our infamous concrete cows, which were designed by Liz Leyh & Bill Billings. For this alone, we believe it's worthy of a visit and photo shot by. 5. Visit Willen Lake - Willen Lake, V10 Brickhill Street, MK15 0DS Although there are paid-for activities at Willen Lake (Ranging from tree-top to water sports) there is still plenty to see and do while not paying a penny, except for parking. This is thanks to The Parks Trust, a self-financing charity that looks after more than 6,000 acres of parkland in Milton Keynes. Find more information at: https://www.willenlake.org.uk/ If you are looking for a free activity to do here with your children, download their Bird Bingo here https://www.willenlake.org.uk/activities/off-the-water/outdoor-learning/bird-bingo/ 6. Visit Caldecotte Lake - Bletcham Way, Caldecotte, Milton Keynes MK7 8HP Caldecotte Lake is free to visit and is located in Milton Keynes. It's easy to get to. There is a large main free car park which is next to a pub and play area. Additionally, for an extra £1 (or free for under 2s) there is a Caldecotte Miniature Railway! This railway is a great experience for children, as it goes around the track twice and has been running since 2006! Located opposite the windmill pub, make sure you visit - We recommend that you check the Caldecotte Miniature Railway page on Facebook to check the days the train is running. (Photo source: https://caldecotteminiaturerailway.co.uk/) 7. Visit Dobbies Garden Centre, Bletchley - Belvedere Ln, Watling St, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK17 9JH We understand your reaction, a garden centre? But hear us out! Dobbies has thousands of plants AND hundreds of different fish in store to view in their tanks, and you can even buy pots of food for £1, to let the children feed their giant carp. With these experiences, it's similar to an aquarium, without the cost! It's definitely a great free way to entertain your children, so give it a go! There is even a play zone, cafe, and events to attend so check out their website by clicking here. 8. Visit Maidenhead Aquatics - Watling St, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK17 9JH Similarly, Maidenhead Aquatics focuses solely on stocking fish (tropical, coldwater and temperate fish, fancy goldfish, tropical freshwater fish, and more)! Due to this, we highly recommend visiting this place if your child has an interest in animals and nature. 9. Rushmere Country Park - Linslade Rd, Heath and Reach, Leighton Buzzard LU7 0EB Another incredible place to visit for free, except parking (which is £2), is the Rushmere Country Park! It's home to a wide variety of wildlife,f play areas and an oak wood sculpture trail to spark your child's adventurous side! Plus, if it rains there is a cafe! Rushmere Country Park also has extra holiday activities, including teddy bear picnics, summer fayres, and even dog shows, so make sure to check out their website for updates! Click here for more information: https://www.greensandtrust.org/rushmere-country-park (Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/rushmerepark/photos) 10. Rushden Lakes - Northamptonshire, Rushden NN10 6FH Last but definitely not least, with 5 hours of free parking, Rushden Lakes is a great day out! Rushden Lakes offers a wide variety of activities and experiences that will keep your children entertained for the entire day! From picnic tables to sculpture hunts, to playgrounds and more! "Rushden Lakes Shopping Centre is a unique place to shop, eat, and explore, offering a world of outdoor discovery at the gateway to the Nene Wetlands. It combines a modern shopping centre with the natural world, promoting the environment – something that we are happy to be a part of. As part of the development, they asked us to build several rustic creations that incorporated elements of the local environment. These included giant animal sculptures and carvings based upon the local wildlife, a pond dipping platform, a picnic shelter, and four nature-themed play areas. Collectively, these creations encourage locals to garner a greater interest in nature and local wildlife." (Photo source: https://www.thewilddeckcompany.co.uk/product-portfolio/picnic-areas-and-seating/rushden-lakes-picnic-shelter/)

Due to the current cost of living crisis, we are aware that many parents will be finding it difficult to balance having activities to do with your children, while trying to stick to a budget. Hopefully, this article will help inspire some activities for you, and please leave a comment below of other ideas you have, so we can create a thread of suggestions. The National Trust has an incredible article on this entitled ‘50 things to do before you're 11¾ - Have fun exploring nature and the great outdoors - which can be found at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/50-things This article provides many great free activities, such as Having a picnic in the wild Set up a snail race Hunt for fossils Go stargazing or cloud watching Discover what's in a pond Make a home for wildlife Go on a scavenger hunt and much much more! Our Ducklings Blog is also full of fun things to do that are either free or require minimal items which you may already own. Just a few of these activities are; Growing together - Preschool gardening 8 at home activities that are great for replacing screen time 5 things to do on a nature walk with kids 8 Fun Crafts to do this Autumn Rainy Days: Ways to Entertain Children without screens Box Clever -Things you can do with an empty shoebox Rain, Rain, Go Away Easy ways to encourage your child's love of reading Eliminating Boredom 101: A parenting know-how If you need even more advice, please check out the 'Activities' tab on our website We hope that these articles and resources have helped! Perhaps the activities will include making an indoor den, or an at-home cinema where you can even print off movie tickets or get your children to design them. At the cinema, you could even buy popcorn, and place duvets down - it's all down to what your budget allows. If your children prefer to be outdoors, try to make a whole day of it! Pack some snacks for a mid-day picnic, some hot chocolate for the afternoons, and torches for your evening walk while trying to find owls.

There are multiple sources online which discuss the signs of early autism in children. To save you time, we've researched multiple sources, and have added the key content into one article for your convenience. The resources used will be linked at the end of the article, in case you wish to learn more. Firstly, it's important to understand that all children learn behaviours and skills as they grow, and the pace at which this happens will naturally vary from child to child. However, there are certain developmental milestones that children can be expected to reach within an average or typical timeframe. If you are concerned that your child's rate of development is different to that of their peers, and you think they may have autism, the checklists below may be helpful. However, please keep in mind that these checklists are not a definitive diagnosis, so please seek professional advice if these concerns still arise. Autism will have multiple symptoms, depending on both the age and the gender of the child. These are, Autism in young children Signs of autism in young children include: not responding to their name avoiding eye contact not smiling when you smile at them getting very upset if they do not like a certain taste, smell or sound repetitive movements, such as flapping their hands, flicking their fingers or rocking their body not talking as much as other children not doing as much pretend play repeating the same phrases Autism in older children Signs of autism in older children include: not seeming to understand what others are thinking or feeling unusual speech, such as repeating phrases and talking ‘at’ others liking a strict daily routine and getting very upset if it changes having a very keen interest in certain subjects or activities getting very upset if you ask them to do something finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on their own taking things very literally – for example, they may not understand phrases like "break a leg" finding it hard to say how they feel Autism in girls Autism can sometimes be different in girls and boys. This means autism can be harder to spot in girls and is commonly misdiagnosed, as Dr Camilla Pang stated, "I feel autistic women are more likely to be described as ‘anxious’ and an autism diagnosis overlooked, since it can challenge gender stereotypes." Autistic girls may: hide some signs of autism by copying how other children behave and play withdraw in situations they find difficult appear to cope better with social situations show fewer signs of repetitive behaviours Autism in babies Early signs of autism in babies (6 months to one year) may include: Reacting in an unexpected way to new faces Rarely smiling in social situations Making little or no eye contact Difficulty in following objects with their eyes Hearing their name does not produce a response Having limited or no reaction to loud sounds, or not turning their head to locate sounds Overreacting to some sounds Displaying a lack of interest in interactive games, like peek-a-boo Chattering, or imitating sounds and words is limited Gestures like pointing at an object they want or waving back at others are limited Tendency not to imitate the actions of other people Dislike of being touched or cuddled, or not reaching out when about to be picked up, or Displaying unusual or repetitive body movements. Early signs of autism in toddlers (up to 24 months) may include: Limited or no speech Only walking on their toes Difficulty in following simple verbal instructions Gestures and imitating others’ actions are limited Showing an intense interest in certain objects, at the exclusion of all else Showing an intense interest in unusual or unexpected objects or materials Unwillingness to share objects or activities they are interested in, or to engage the attention of others, or Engaging in repetitive actions and activities, such as putting objects into lines or groups, etc. Early signs of autism in young children (up to 36 months) may include: Limited speech Difficulties in being able to follow simple verbal instructions Showing little interest in imaginative play, such as pretend games Showing little interest in other children Wanting routines to be followed and being upset by change Extreme sensitivity to sight, sound, smell, taste and some other sensory experiences Displaying limited or no sensitivity to some sensory experiences such as heat, cold, touch, hunger, thirst or pain, or Becoming fixated on playing with particular toys, activities or actions. Resources NHS : https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/signs/children/ Dr. Camilla Pang: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/stories/stories-from-the-spectrum-camilla-pang Autistic Women and Girls : https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism/autistic-women-and-girls Signs of Autism in babies : https://autismsa.org.au/autism-diagnosis/autism-symptoms/signs-of-autism-in-babies/

Your child's health matters - and their dental health should not be ignored! If you're struggling to motivate your child to brush their teeth, we recommend showing them this video! Weekly Tooth Brushing Worksheet We have created a free printable weekly tooth brushing schedule, which can be downloaded below the picture, Teeth Brushing Worksheet Booklet As well as that, we have also created an entire booklet of fun worksheets that may help motivate your child to brush their own teeth voluntarily, which can be downloaded for free below, Why is promoting tooth health important? According to the NHS, Tooth decay is largely preventable yet it remains a serious problem. Findings from Public Health England’s (PHE) 2015 national dental epidemiology survey of 5-year-old children showed that in 2015 in England, a quarter (25%) of 5-year-olds had experienced tooth decay, having on average 3 or 4 teeth affected. The vast majority of tooth decay was untreated. Poor dental health impacts children and families Poor dental health impacts not just on the individual’s health but also their wellbeing and that of their family. Children who have toothache or who need treatment may have pain, infections and difficulties with eating, sleeping and socialising. A quarter of 5 year-olds have tooth decay when they start school. Children who have toothache or who need treatment may have to be absent from school and parents may also have to take time off work to take their children to a dentist or to hospital. Oral health is therefore an important aspect of a child’s overall health status and of their school readiness. References: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-matters-child-dental-health/health-matters-child-dental-health As we are a preschool, we follow the EYFS guidelines, which require "All settings must promote the good health, including oral health, of children attending the setting." We follow this by constantly promoting good dental health by only serving milk or water (Restricting sugary and acidic drinks). We also ask our parents to constantly promote brushing their teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and to avoid keeping sugary and acidic food and drinks to mealtimes only.

Valentine's Day is a wonderful time to show love to your loved ones. Your children may wish to get involved, so please read this blog to get inspired for activities to perform together! Our Valentine's Worksheet Booklet Ducklings have created an EYFS-friendly worksheet booklet that is Valentine's Day themed! Be sure to download and print off your own copy of this by clicking the button below, Hand Painted Heart Art (Photo Source: https://factorydirectcraft.com/factorydirectcraft_blog/handprint-heart/handprint_heart3/ ) Things you’ll need: Acrylic Paint (two or more colours) Foam brushes White or light cardstock Fine point pen Things to do: 1. You’ll need two hands per heart, so firstly wash and dry your hands. 2. Spread a thin layer of paint on one hand and press it down on the paper at an angle, fingers together. 3. Allow the handprint to dry and then layer the other hand on top to form a heart 4. When both prints are dry, use a pen to add a message, either around the heart or at the bottom and frame. You could even turn this artwork into a valentines card! Simply cut out this art, stick it onto a folded piece of cardstock, and write a message inside. Card Heart Sign (Photo Source: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/12033123996626495/) Things you’ll need: Acrylic Paint (two or more colours) Paint Brushes Scissors Sellotape White or light cardstock Fine point pen Things to do: 1. First, trace out hearts (One large and one small) a leaf and a flower stem. 2. Use paint and decorate each part - either similar to the picture above or get creative. 3. Once the paint has dried, stick all the pieces together to form a heart flower. 4. Take a pen and write a message. 5. Repeat as many times as you'd like. We love this idea, especially if you and your children bake a cake for Valentine's. Simply add these heart roses to your baked goods, and now you have a Valentine's cake!

Use our free labour hospital bag checklist to pack for both you and your baby. The checklist will cover all the essentials; clothes, health items, skincare, towels, and more. To download and print off your own copy, please click on the download button attached below.

For new mothers, breastfeeding is a completely new skill they'll need to learn once the baby arrives. And unfortunately, every mother and baby will have unique needs and preferences, so experimenting to find which works best for you is key! Below is a visual guide to the five more common breastfeeding positions. We will attach informative videos on each of these below the photo to further assist you, should you require it. (Source: https://www.verywellfamily.com/common-breastfeeding-positions-431648) The Thompson Method Gentle Cradle Hold This method is the most preferred for newborn or young babies, and is the most instinctuive position for us. Although it may be challenging to set up, once the baby has latched, its a comfortable feed for the mother. Watch the video below for more information. The Cross-Cradle Position The cross-cradle position is usually used during the early days of breastfeeding. It's beneficial as it allows better support of the baby's head, whilst they learn how to latch. Watch the video below for more information on how to correctly set up this position. The Football Hold If you've had a c-section, the football hold is an incredible position to breastfeed, as it avoids putting any weight on your belly. This position also allows you to see what is happening, and can therefore easily guide the baby to settle comfortably. Watch this video to see how to get into this position at home. The Side-Lying Position The side-lying position has numerous benefits for both the mother and baby. For example, if you have an oversupply of milk, side-lying breastfeeding can help your baby manage the flow of milk easily. This position is also easier for mothers when they're starting to relax for night time, or during night feeds. Watch the video below for more information. and finally, The Laid-Back Nursing Position The laid-back nursing position is great for every mother - regardless of whether they had a natural or c-section birth. Mothers should use a comfortable, reclined but not flat position, to feed their child. This position requires you to prop yourself up with cushions, and place your baby on your front, or to one side if it's uncomfortable. Watch the video below for more information. For more information, please check out Pampers article on this too https://www.pampers.co.uk/newborn-baby/feeding/article/five-breastfeeding-positions-and-tips

Does your baby have a serious case of hiccups and you're wondering if there's any cause for concern? We're here to ease your worries! Although it may look uncomfortable for your baby, there's usually no need to worry at all. Baby hiccups are very common, and they aren't normally a problem. In fact, they usually bother parents more than the baby. - Dr Kylie Liermann, paediatrician To help calm your worries, let's learn what causes hiccups in your child, and how to get rid of them, so your baby can breathe easier. Why do babies get hiccups? Hiccups are most likely caused by irritation to the diaphragm, the muscle at the base of the lungs. Sometimes, that muscle starts to spasm or cramp. That causes the vocal cords to clamp shut, creating that distinctive “hic!” sound you know and dread. Developing babies can get hiccups even before they’re born, and many pregnant people have felt the telltale flutters in their bellies. Again, usually, hiccups don't bother babies. Hiccups are especially common in newborns and infants. “We don’t know exactly why, but hiccups may be caused by increased gas in the stomach,” Dr. Liermann says. “If babies overfeed or gulp air during eating, that could cause the stomach to expand and rub against the diaphragm, generating those hiccups.” What if it's something more serious? Sometimes, hiccups are a sign of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). Reflux causes stomach acid to back up into the baby’s oesophagus. If your baby has GERD, hiccups won’t be the only symptom. Infants with reflux also have signs such as: Coughing. Spitting up. Irritability and crying. Arching the back, especially during or after a feeding. If you notice these signs, then we recommend you speak to your doctor, to get your baby properly checked out, and learn ways how to manage it. How to help stop baby hiccups Change feeding positions - try feeding your baby in a more upright position. If you are breastfeeding, please check out this Pampers article on 5 different breastfeeding positions. Burp more frequently - burp during feeding to prevent hiccups. Use a dummy - as the sucking motion can help relax the diaphragm. Try distractions - if your baby looks stressed, simply try to distract them. Try rubbing your baby's back - and rock your baby back and forth to help them relax, to slow down the spasms. We hope this has helped relieve your worries, and please remember, hiccups will naturally stop on their own, and do not cause discomfort to babies, so there is no need to 'treat' them. We gathered this information from both Medical News Today. and Pampers , please check them out if you want more information regarding this - as they are fantastic resources!

According to NHS choices a balanced lunchbox should contain: Starchy foods like bread, rice, potatoes or pasta Protein foods like meat, fish, eggs or beans A dairy item, like cheese or yoghurt Vegetables or salad and a portion of fruit But what if your child isn't a fan of 'boring' sandwiches? Why not cut them into fun unique shapes, like a star or a heart? Simply uses shaped cutters on the bread, and freeze the offcuts of bread to save and make into breadcrumbs in future! And if that isn't enough to get them excited, why not try introducing wraps in their lunch boxes instead? These wraps are super easy to make - simply add your usual fillings from a sandwich into the wrap, roll it up, and cut it in half! What can you do if your child hates bread? Make them delicious cold pasta salads! Pasta salads can be customised constantly with different sauces, vegetables, and proteins, depending on dietary preferences. Now we've got the basics down, let's look through some recipes to help inspire your future lunch boxes! If you wish to make a recipe from above, they can all be found at https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/school-packed-lunch-inspiration For even more inspiration, we recommend you check out these fellow articles; Lunchbox Main Ideas 5 easy & healthy lunchbox ideas for kids 10 budget ideas for kids’ lunchboxes Quick lunchbox ideas for kids How to choose a healthy snack for kids

Children get great enjoyment from being outdoors! Planting and growing plants not only improves their motor skills, but improves their creativity, their curiosity, and their understanding of knowledge and nature. At Ducklings, we do everything we can to get your children outside daily, while also educating them on their surroundings. From visiting allotments to making bird seed feeders, or even growing their own plants at preschool! At Ducklings, we believe that school gardening could be the start of a lifelong passion for nature for children, and we hope it's a passion you can continue at home throughout 2023! So, whether that means going on more family walks together, or growing a kitchen herb garden, or something else entirely! Every little bit will help. If you believe Ducklings can do more to help boost your child's interest in nature and the outdoors, please let us know! We'd love to hear it and take it onboard throughout 2023!

If you're reading this article it's likely because you are expecting a baby, Congratulations! The next few months will be spent preparing, and one of the most important jobs you will have is to prepare your older child for their new role becoming an older sibling! Children will react to the news differently - some with joy, some with anger, and some with no response at all - which is absolutely normal. Regardless of how ready your child may seem, after birth, there will be an adjustment period. So, let's learn some ways in which we can prepare our child to become an older sibling, before and after birth. Letting them know On average, it's recommended to tell your child as soon as the baby begins to show. However, as every pregnancy is different, and some pregnant women will experience severe morning sickness, you may wish to tell your child sooner, to help relieve any worries they have about their mother's health. If your family is adopting or using a surrogacy, in which the baby is not visibly obvious, it's still recommended to "start the conversation early" according to Dr. Silverman at the Child Mind Institute. This is advised, so your child has as much time as possible to ask questions, mentally prepare, and get extra special alone time with each parent, to relieve any worries - After all, it's a big change, that will take time to get used to. Firstly, Your child will likely be very inquisitive about where the baby has come from. Although that seems a very heavy question, a sweet and simple explanation should satisfy most children. Saying something simple like, "Babies are made when two adults love each other so much that they are able to create a baby". If your child still has more questions, AMAZE Parents has posted a child-friendly video explaining the process, which can be found here, If your child is struggling with the idea of a baby arriving and isn't happy about the news, we recommend that you try to find their old baby clothes, or show them photo albums of them as a baby, to help relieve any stresses or anxiety they have about the idea. You may find that talking about them as a baby may be fun, and then begin to talk about how much fun it would be to have another baby in the home. Furthermore, if your child isn't excited about having a baby in the house ask your child for their advice on important details like the babies bedding, or their toys, or even ask them to pick out their future clothing. Another tip would be to make sure the language you use to explain this news is key. Dr. Silverman recommends using terminology like "There's one more person to love", "There's somebody new to spend time with!", or "We'll have some much fun watching the baby do new things, and teaching them things" etc. Make sure you are emphasising the great things they will do together - not just the great things about the baby - to avoid jealousy. How to prepare them for the birth If your child is under 5, it's likely they will have trouble understanding time. So instead of saying "the baby will arrive in 6 months", try using a different form of measuring. Like, saying "the baby will arrive when the weather is very hot", or "the baby will arrive just before Christmas" for example. Your child will likely associate the hospital with being poorly, however, it's important to assure them that going to the doctor is important for pregnant women, and is nothing to worry about. If your child is old enough, maybe see if they can accompany you on your visits to hear the baby's heartbeat, or show them the baby through an ultrasound. Just remember to not discuss the medical details, as that may worry them unnecessarily. When you go to the hospital for the birth, simply explain to your child you will be back shortly with their new baby brother or sister. If appropriate, let your child and partner be the first family members to meet the baby, this way you can see your child's natural reaction in private. Verywell Family also recommends that "When it’s time for other visitors to stop by, let your preschooler play whatever role they are comfortable with. Some will want to act as the master of ceremonies, introducing their new sibling to grandma, while others may prefer to hang back and watch the action. If possible, ask a relative that your child is especially close with to take them for a walk or maybe get a snack, just to help them get away from it all for a little while." which is a wonderful idea! Lastly, After your new baby is born, your oldest child may suddenly start acting younger, in an attempt to seek the same attention as the baby is getting. This is completely normal, and it's your older child's way of making sure you are still aware that they need you. To try to avoid this, we recommend setting aside special one-on-one time with your eldest. Even something as simple as story time will help them feel appreciated and valued. If your child is older, giving them appropriate jobs and praising their positive behaviour may also help massively! And above all else, CONGRATULATIONS AND CELEBRATE! For more advice on this, we highly recommend checking out these other articles; https://childmind.org/article/preparing-child-new-sibling/ https://www.verywellfamily.com/preparing-your-first-child-for-a-new-baby-2765029 https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/prenatal/Pages/Preparing-Your-Family-for-a-New-Baby.aspx If you'd prefer a video, why not check out this LoveParenting video!

Here are THREE different designs for Toilet/Potty Training Guides, so we recommend allowing your child to choose their favourite and use that. These guides help keep track of your child's progression, while also providing a fun interactive poster your children will enjoy using. Download the guides by clicking the button below,

Is your little one struggling with their writing? Then let's try to make learning fun with these activity worksheets! The missing letter activity Tracing letter activity Label the body part activity. Download these worksheets by clicking the button below, If you're still looking for more, please check out https://www.ducklingspreschool.co.uk/readers. This page is full of videos, articles, activities, storytime videos and more!

Let's welcome and learn more about Autumn together using our free downloadable booklet. Our booklet is designed to teach everyone the basics of Autumn, and the changes we experience during this season - and then provides a list of useful blog resources, along with various EYFS activities you can use at home, on the go, or at schools.

As January is the month for Veganuary - where people choose to follow a vegan diet for the entire month - Ducklings has designed alphabetic flashcards, all fruit and vegetable themed! These 26 cards are colourful, fun, and educational! So why not print these off at home, and practice them with your child? Download your FREE flashcards by clicking on the PDF button below, Download to see the rest!

Like many other parents and guardians, you may already attend a day nursery, like Ducklings Preschool. You may also be aware that when children reach the age of 3 and above most primary schools offer a pre-school service. With that in mind, you may now be questioning what are the differences between the preschool you are already attending, and that offered by your local primary school? We’d love to provide a brief insight into these differences, to help you make your decision. “Will my child experience a better learning environment at school nursery or not?” Firstly, and potentially the most vital thing to understand is that all nurseries and pre-schools, regardless of whether they’re privately owned or part of a school, must follow the SAME curriculum – The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). To find out more about EYFS, click here; EYFS: What does it stand for? In brief, the EYFS is the statutory framework and standards for care, education, and child development. The main difference between privately owned and school preschools is the way EYFS is delivered. Firstly, in terms of the child-to-staff ratio; Privately owned preschools (like Ducklings Preschool) have to follow the 1:8 staff-to-child ratio, for children aged 3 and older. However, preschools that are part of schools have to follow the 1:13 ratio - That would mean 26 children with only two adults to supervise, observe, and promote learning! Private preschools, like Ducklings Preschool, have almost twice as many qualified adults as most school preschools, which gives your child a more personalised and nurturing experience. Another difference is the various types of ethos that different preschools will adopt. For example, schools are likely to take a very formal approach, following topic-led teaching, which might not be of interest to your child, meaning they'll be less likely to get involved and enjoy learning. However, privately owned preschools like Ducklings preschool follow a more child-centred ethos, where our sessions are based on the child's individual interests and needs. Our staff are trained to support ongoing development and offer educational activities that promote progression and learning through play-based learning. "What about having a key person?" At privately owned preschools, like Ducklings preschool, your child will be paired with a qualified member of staff. This 'key person will perform observations and is someone your child will feel comfortable around and will be your contact throughout your time at nursery/preschool with us. Unfortunately, school preschools have no such scheme in place - and with only one adult for every 13 children, it's questionable whether they can provide that personal level of attention and assistance. “Would I be guaranteed a primary school place if I send my child to a school’s nursery?” Unfortunately, no. This is a common misconception – that children who attend a school nursery will gain automatic entry to the attached primary school when their child starts reception. This is due to local authorities making decisions on which school children attend – and where your child currently attends does not weigh their decision. Local authorities can only consider your preferred choice when submitting your application. “Would my funding entitlement at school nursery be the same? Can I still use it?” Both privately owned nurseries and school nurseries receive funding for the same hours and age groups. However, each offers the funding differently. What exactly does that mean? School nurseries often provide two sessions only, morning and afternoon, which are usually 3 hours long, to comply with the school opening hours. Although the sessions may be useful, if you work full-time, you may need to find cover for the lunch hour in between, or at the end of the school day, depending on the school's nursery hours. Furthermore, check on the school nursery requirements during term breaks and holiday dates. Typically, private nurseries are much more flexible when it comes to hours and funding. Furthermore, Ducklings Preschool allows parents or guardians to combine funding entitlements with paid sessions! If you have any more questions regarding finances, please call us at 01772 356709 or email us at ducklingsfinance@gmail.com Due to all of this, we advise parents to carefully consider moving their child to a school nursery, and whether they will move their children away from their current preschool for the right reasons. We want all children to feel comfortable and happy when arriving at nursery, so if you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to contact us.

Welcome Halloween this October in a new and exciting way! Our FREE activities book is full of EYFS activities suitable for toddlers and early years children! We hope you enjoy, and Happy Halloween!

Music is humanity’s oldest form of communication: It’s been used for millions of years and is commonly referred to as a “universal language”. Music brings communities together and can unite people! It also has a profound effect on brain development in all stages of life and can clearly be used as a tool in many instances. In reference to a child’s brain development, music training can increase maturity in a child’s brain and can help them develop other areas of their brain at a faster rate. For example, children who take part in music training, like violin lessons, will likely mature faster and gain a larger skill set otherwise not found in the average child. Furthermore, music therapy has shown to have a significant effect on overall relaxation and even respiration rate. Music has been noted to further reduce anxiety levels. Due to this, music interventions can provide opportunities for: Anxiety and stress reduction Positive outlets for changes in moods and emotional states Non-verbal outlets for emotions associated with traumatic experiences Relaxation for family groups Positive physiological changes, like lowering blood pressure, reducing heart rates, and relaxed muscle tension. Children are the future of the human race! How they develop, learn, and grow matters a lot. The most important time in brain development occurs during a child’s early years - when their brain's plasticity is at its highest, thus making it the perfect time to nurture their growing minds through musical training. Don’t just take our word, various studies have been conducted, like the one USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, which performed a five-year study focusing on how music training can change the structure of both the brain's white and grey matter. The study found that children who had experienced, just as little as two years, musical training tended to have more mature brain development in areas that dealt with sound processing, language development, speech perception, and reading skills. All these skills activate areas of the brain, such as the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, and parietal lobe. Furthermore, the study found that the children in musical training showed higher amounts of brain development than those who played sports, so music is truly highly beneficial to the development of children’s brains! Connect with Ducklings Preschool At Ducklings Preschool, we strive to create a loving, caring atmosphere in a safe and friendly environment! We want to support all children to enable them to achieve their best. In order to do this, many steps are taken to support them through their learning journeys during their time with us. Additionally, Ducklings goes a step further! We provide a ton of free resources for you to use while at home! These can be found on our website, under the Ducklings Activities tab, https://www.ducklingspreschool.co.uk/activities as well as on our blog! Keep checking these platforms regularly, to gain insight into activities like art, literacy, mathematics, cooking, gardening, and so much more!

What does EYFS stand for? Early Years Foundation Stage is a set of standards for the learning, development, and care of your child from birth to five years old! All schools and Ofsted-registered early years providers (including Ducklings Preschool) must follow the EYFS. But let’s dive in a little deeper to better understand EYFS First, the areas of learning Your child will mostly be taught through games and play! The areas of learning are: Communication and language Physical development Personal, social, and emotional development Literacy Mathematics Understanding the world Expressive arts and design Secondly, let’s discuss assessments Your child’s progression will be reviewed when they’re between the age of 2 to 3, which will be performed by an early years practitioner or health visitor. After this, their class teacher will assess them, towards the end of the school year, when they turn 5. However, please don’t be worried! These assessments are based on classroom observation - your child will not be asked to perform any sort of tests. If you would like to see the framework used, the statutory framework for the early year's foundation stage can be found on the Government’s website here; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2. Thirdly, if any area of learning which arises is in conflict with your beliefs, whether that be religious or philosophical beliefs, please talk to your child’s early years provider at Ducklings. For more information regarding this, please check out the Government’s website here; https://www.gov.uk/early-years-foundation-stage.

Let's celebrate Summer together using our free downloadable booklet. This booklet is designed to teach the basics of Summer, and talk about the natural changes we all experience during this season. This booklet is full of content; from useful blog resources to various fun EYFS activities, feel free to download, print off, and share this completely FREE booklet with anyone to use either at home, on the go, or at school! Want to view a couple of pages before downloading? Check out below;

We currently have spaces available for September, so please don't hesitate to contact us if you require any further information or to arrange a tour.

How long has it been since you last looked up from your phone? Are the kids in the same boat? Don’t worry, we’re all getting to the stage where we’re living off of memes and Tik Tok videos! But as a parent, you can start to worry about the amount of screen time your kids get day by day. All in all, staying at home is getting a lot of us pretty bored, but what can you do to entertain your kids without firing up some games on the iPad? Even with lockdown lifting, it can still be quite worrying to take the kids out and about, so right now you’re stuck at home with little else to do but put the telly on! And when it comes to finding new things for the kids to do, you’ve been wracking your brains for a while and not come up with anything. Well, we’ve got a few handy and fun suggestions below that will work just fine for sorting out the screen time issue in your home! Even if you just need an idea to jog your mind, Make up characters together Kids love to spend time in ‘different worlds’, so why not use their imagination to the full? Instead of letting them spend so much time with characters in games and TV shows, turn off the screens and get everyone together with a pencil and paper. Set them to come up with their own characters with questions like, ‘What do they look like?’ and ‘What do they do?’ and then use them to tell stories as a group! Put on a puppet show Once you’ve made up and drawn or painted your own characters, turn them into puppets and put on a show! Hang up a curtain above some cardboard boxes for a makeshift puppet theatre, and then get some old tea towels, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners out to make the puppets with. Don’t worry, hand puppets aren’t as intricate to make as you might think; check out this tutorial for some ideas. Play dress up If puppets aren’t for you, you can also grab a bunch of old clothes out of the wardrobe and play dress up with the kids. Rip up and sew some outfits together to make various costumes, such as a pirate, a queen, a superhero, or a doctor. And if the kids want to mix and match here, go ahead and let them! Bake a cake Once you’re done with making characters and turning them into reality, get into the kitchen together and turn the oven on - it’s time to bake a cake! A yummy treat that tastes good both before and after it’s been baked, and you can let your little ones get incredibly creative with the icing job too. Make sure you’ve got food colouring in the house, as well as sprinkles and other sugar decorations to really make this a fun task. Get your own soft play equipment This one will take a little bit of time to put together, but you can invest in some ‘soft play’ toys for the kids and build a fort out of them. Soft play is great for younger kids; it’s a good way for toddlers to develop their motor skills without hurting themselves, and if you only bring it out on special occasions, they’ll always be excited to take part! Try a board game If you’ve got a quiet night ahead, why not get a board game or two out? There are plenty of family-friendly games you can spend an hour or two on, and it’s a great way to spend time as a family. You’ll all be in the same room, without any screens in front of you, able to smile and laugh and even enjoy some petty disagreements together! Start scrapbooking together If your child is more of a creative mind or loves cutting and sticking paper and colouring things in, you can try starting a scrapbook together. Get a plain sketchbook, get together some printed pictures, old tickets, receipts, and some scissors and glue, and you and your child can walk down memory lane together. Get them to draw out their memories to be stuck alongside the physical reminders. Get your hands dirty in the garden And while you’re finding it hard to get outside of the house, if you’ve still got a garden to go out into, get the kids out there and start digging around. Not only can you get them to plant their own little vegetable patches, but you can also bury exciting items for them to find, sort of like a scavenger hunt. Get some child-size trowels, hide some sweet treats or little toys, and on a sunny day set them free to dig up the garden. They may even get rid of some weeds for you! If you’re worried about the use of screens in your home, and you want the kids to focus on something else, you can make lots of your own fun even just in the living room. If you’ve got the time, try out the ideas above and see what you think!

Let’s face it: the kitchen is a pretty scary place when you’re young. It’s full of sharp objects and live flames, and the only thing you really know about it - when you’re 4 or 5 years old - is that mummy or daddy bring tasty food out from it! As such, many children don't learn the basic skills needed to cook, and struggle later in life when they're teenagers, making to make a meal for themselves. Well, there is some good news! Acknowledging that going outside feels impossible right now, with the bad weather and pandemic rules, now more than ever is a fantastic time to spend time in the kitchen with your little ones! Why not let your kids help out in the kitchen, and teach them how to cook family classics. Cooking and baking is a fun activity when you’re young and get to lick the bowl out at the end, and helping hands will make doing the dinner a lot less exhausting on you too! And hey, seeing as we’ve just rung in the new year together, why not set up an activity like this as a resolution with your child? It’s a great way to get something done together, especially if you’re prone to commit for a week and then forget all about the resolution you promised to keep up with… Don’t worry, we all do it! Of course, if cooking and baking isn’t quite your thing, we’ve got a whole list of other resolutions you can make with your kids right here on the Ducklings blog. But without any further ado, here are some of the appropriate kitchen skills to teach kids, even from when they’re little toddlers until they’re about 7 or 8 years old. The basic tasks (2 and 3 years olds) Limited coordination, easily bored, will probably need a nap afterwards - no, we’re not just talking about you after a long day of work here! We’re talking about toddlers, aged from 2 to 3 years old, who are fully capable of helping out in the kitchen despite their still developing motor skills. So what can you let a 2 or 3-year-old do? Let them handle some blunt, plastic utensils, first of all, to help them get used to the way they feel and how to use them. You can also let them take hold of a weighing spoon and allow them to drop spoons of flour or sugar into a mixing bowl. And once the cake or pie has come out of the oven, make sure it’s cooled down a little, and then let them sprinkle some more sugar or little sprinkles of cocoa or hundreds and thousands on top. This might end up messy, so be prepared for a cleanup job of its own! The intermediate stuff (4 and 5 year olds) Now your child is starting to get the hang of things! For kids above the age of 4, usually, their energy levels tend to outweigh their skill and coordination, and you can use that to your advantage within the kitchen. So it’s a good idea to let them loose with a mixing spoon or whisk - they can help to whip up a cake batter or a bit of double cream without getting anywhere near as tired as you would. You can also let them use more utensils, such as a sieve or a rolling pin, which are all normal parts of the baking process anyway. You can even get them to help wash up after everything is in the oven! As long as it doesn't have sharp edges, a 4 or 5-year-old is going to excel in using it. The advanced skills (6+ year olds) As your child gets older, you can start to trust them with a few more things in the kitchen. As such, it’s a good idea to let them start using sharper knives to cut with. Make sure the knife in question is small enough for them to hold comfortably and then let them loose with some firmer ingredients, such as carrots and other uncooked vegetables. You can also let them use the cheese grater comfortably now, as well as wield a pair of scissors, albeit still a pair made for children! You can also get a bit more advanced with the recipes you make together; try out new plates like mini pizza bites, chocolate chip cookies, and sausage rolls. If you teach your kids to cook, they’ll grow up to love helping out in the kitchen. It’s clearly a lot of fun, and there’s always something yummy to eat at the end!

Happy New Year to all parents! We hope you welcomed the new year in style, surrounded by magical firework displays, among a circle of loved ones, with revived hope and wishes for what is to come. Since it is the start of the year, some new research has come to light about how parents and caregivers support language development in babies, and you might be a little surprised. Did you know that one way that you can help your baby’s speech development is by speaking more baby talk? We may not realise it, but baby talk comes naturally to most of us. Often when interacting with babies we heighten pitch, slower speed and even exaggerate pronunciation, and this not only gets babies smiling and waving their tiny fingers around us but also helps them make sense of what we are saying. What is the new evidence and where does it come from? New evidence from Florida university can have another benefit, it can help babies learn to produce their speech. In the study, the researchers altered the frequency sounds to imitate either a baby or adult vocal tract and then tested how babies reacted. Results showed that 6–8-month-old babies displayed a distinct preference for speech with resonances specifying a vocal tract that is similar in size and length to their own. Whereas 4–6-month-old babies do not have that preference, suggesting that older babies' emerging ability to control their voices and make words out of jibber-jabber could be what makes the infant-like sounds more appealing. "We're trying to engage with the infant to show them something about speech production," said co-author Linda Polka, PhD, of McGill University. Why are some people discouraging baby talk? This new research sheds light on how babies can slowly pick up speech, though it begs the question, why than are some under the impression that using baby talk is potentially a hindrance to language development in babies? Well, some research suggests that mothers who speak in baby-talk may speak less clearly to infants than they do to adults. Research suggesting that baby talk is less clear than normal speech A study in RIKEN Brain Science Institute in Tokyo recorded 22 Japanese mothers talking to their 18- to 24-month-old children and an experimenter. Next, a team of experts at the Laboratory for Language Development spent five years annotating the 14 hours of speech, like the beginnings and ends of consonants, vowels, and phrases. Next, the researchers applied a technique they had developed to measure the acoustic similarity between any two syllables, like “pa” and “ba” or “po” and “bo.” The team examined the 118 most frequent syllable contrasts in both the adult and child-directed speech patterns. The results showed that mothers spoke slightly less clearly when talking to their children than when talking to the experimenter. Something to consider… However, one thing to note about this study is that the researchers themselves say caution that these findings do not provide any evidence regarding whether speaking clearly to your child boosts language acquisition. Our take on the matter: From my experience working in the nursery for over a year, it is best to use your instincts, as every baby is unique, and talking in a sing-song voice helps babies stay engaged and happy to talk to you. There is no denying that when you use baby talk, babies trust you more as they feel more comfortable around you as you show the baby your goofy, playful side and warm side, which all helps to bring you closer to your baby. Here are some tips that help your baby get the most out of your playful interaction 1. Talk in a sing-song voice 2. Sing to your baby 3. Chat about what you are doing 4. Repeat sounds your baby makes back to them 5. Name and point things you can both see If this article helps you, please be sure to subscribe for more practical, evidence-based advice to help you along your parenthood journey. References Speaking 'baby-talk' to infants isn’t just cute: It could help them learn to make words https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211210121848.htm OBSERVATION- ‘Baby Talk’ Is Less Clear Than Normal Speech https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/baby-talk-is-less-clear-than-normal-speech Help your baby learn to talk https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/babys-development/play-and-learning/help-your-baby-learn-to-talk/

Parenting is hard out of a pandemic but parenting in a pandemic is REALLY hard, and at times it has certainly put our parenting prowess to the test. - Kirsty Ketley, Parenting Expert Welcome 2022, The New Year! A time of celebration, reflection, and a perfect opportunity to set new targets through New Year's resolutions. This is including yourself, and your children! Today, why don't you sit down with your child(ren) and ask them to write down some New Year's resolutions. Not only will this help develop their communication and handwriting skills, but it will also teach them about commitments and how to achieve goals they set. So here are our 20 New Year's resolutions for kids; I will keep my room clean and tidy (https://www.ducklingspreschool.co.uk/post/encouraging-kids-to-start-tidying-up-their-own-messes is a fantastic article about 'encouraging kids to start tidying up their own messes') I will make (or help make) my own bed every morning I will help cook dinner with my parents once a week (https://www.ducklingspreschool.co.uk/post/recipes-bolognaise a easy to follow recipe your kids will love to cook with you!) I will share my toys more with my siblings and friends I will practice my writing at home I will brush my teeth by myself every morning and night (https://www.ducklingspreschool.co.uk/post/how-to-encourage-children-to-brush-their-teeth. click here to see our guide on how to encourage children to brush their teeth) I will spend less time: watching TV, playing on the iPad, on the computer, playing video games etc. I will wash my hands after every use of the bathroom I will play outdoors more often (https://www.ducklingspreschool.co.uk/post/5-things-to-do-on-a-nature-walk-with-kids) I will try one new food every week I will eat all vegetables given to me during a meal (https://www.ducklingspreschool.co.uk/post/8-easy-ways-to-sneak-vegetables-into-children-s-food If a highly useful article which provides you with 8 easy ways to sneak vegetables into childrens meals) I want to do more painting and drawing at home and at nursery/school I want to play more sports at home and at school/sports clubs I want to learn how to write the alphabet (https://www.ducklingspreschool.co.uk/readers) I want to learn how to read (https://www.ducklingspreschool.co.uk/readers) I will clean up my toys when I'm done playing with them I will try to play a new musical instrument (https://www.ducklingspreschool.co.uk/post/the-best-instruments-for-children-to-start-learning-how-to-stay-motivated, click here for a little guide on the best instruments for children to start to learn) I will visit the library I will finish 3 books I will read more The options are endless, so include your children in the decision making process and have fun with it! Furthermore, here at Ducklings we provide fantastic resources online for free, so for example, if you do wish to develop your children's reading, we have an entire platform set up to help develop your children's love for reading! From free stories, to storytime videos of our amazing Ducklings team reading popular children's books, to dance and sing along videos, to worksheets and activities to download, print off, and do at home to practice writing and reading skills. Find all of this here; https://www.ducklingspreschool.co.uk/readers We also have a ton of blog articles that emphasise the importance of reading, full of tips and tricks you can use in the future. - Characteristics of children who struggle with reading - Easy ways to encourage your child's love of reading - Bedtime stories are a must-have night routine, here's why - Bedtime Story Recommendations - 10 Books Every Child Must Read -5 ways to celebrate Poetry Reading Day - Ways to appeal to your child's unique imagination - Why Storytelling is so important for your child's imagination Likewise, we also have free resources regarding art and creativitiy, cooking and baking, gardening, recycling, at home activities to do and more on our activities and blog page! Check out our other blogs, as we keep learning more together! Love the Ducklings Team References https://www.standard.co.uk/news/health/young-london-sos/young-london-sos-child-mental-health-suffering-warning-signs-b919830.html

It is officially that time of the year, where we are counting the pennies for Christmas, but Halloween is also just around the corner. So, I have decided to write about ways in which you can still have a spooktacular outfit, and your home can be just as spooky too! As a child, I used to love trick or treating. I remember running home from school in order to put my budget-friendly outfit on. It would often consist of black bin-liners, witches hats, broomsticks, and pumpkin sweet tubs. I also recall picking up a cheap pair of knee socks too, to complement the costume. It was all collected from cheap stores. There was one year, with adult supervision, of course, I had a velvet red cape, with a stitched hood. I would use red lipstick to draw on some blood, around my mouth and then cover my eyelids in black eyeliner. Halloween is a wonderful time of year for children. Understandably, some children do not love to dress up and that's perfectly okay too. Dressing up is not for every child, especially those with Autism. Though, that shouldn't mean they should miss out on the experience of Halloween. And for that reason, I will conclude my article with tips and alternative ways in which you can make it just as ghastly, whilst taking into consideration your child's preferences and sensory stimulus. Wizard/Witch Style Hat Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gt65FllIac This video was very child-friendly, other than the use of scissors. They used materials that are cheap to purchase, and it is a design that can be very custom made for your child's preference. If they want to be a wizard, they could add some paper stars and glitter. Or they could become a princess and the paper can be a more light-hearted colour and decorate the hat itself with pompoms and sparkles. I thought this activity would be perfect, to help them express their personality, character, and most certainly get stuck in! Kids love it when they can get their hands dirty, covered in glue, and even just become involved in something. It also allows them to tell their friends about it and scream about how they made the item themselves. Again, this helps with making friends and their overall social and motor skills. DIY Kids Costumes Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtRt7jRcSgs This tutorial is perfect for those parents who are perhaps on a budget or against the clock. She explains alternative ways you can use products and where they can be brought from a very low price. I find costumes like this much more fun, to make and definitely exciting for the children too, especially if they can get involved in certain aspects of the designing process. I loved her enthusiasm and bargain hunting ways. Sensory Friendly Costumes Link: https://imsimplyadad.com/sensory-friendly-costumes/ This website is packed with lots of knowledge on Autism, including dietary ideas. I loved how the costume ideas were simple to make too, as well as the alternative methods. The tone used was very friendly-orientated and easy to follow. Why not give them a go and tag the author on social media or tell them you found their video off a Ducklings Blog Article? I'm sure they'd be delighted to hear about how you took their suggestions on board! DIY Halloween Decorations Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HKO98leVVA She made it really simple to follow, with the step-by-step guide. I personally loved the wall decoration at the beginning of the tutorial. The materials used were often something we would have lying around at home in a kitchen cupboard perhaps or easy to collect at nearby stores at low prices. This definitely made the video more appealing. DIY Sensory Activities Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL_ObfP3jk8 This tutorial was really fun to watch, and I particularly enjoyed the idea of having a spider web box. I loved how the channel catered for all different ages as well as capabilities, in terms of motor skills for example. Their enthusiasm was fantastic, and the alternative methods were also intriguing to make. Happy Halloween!

Winter is upon us and as are some festive holidays! Together, using our free downloadable booklet, we can learn and celebrate these holidays while having fun! So why not try these various EYFS activities at home, on the go, at schools, or anywhere you'd like. Simply download our free PDF by clicking the box below;

Let’s face it - we all dread the temper tantrum! Your child is in tears, they’re screaming and shouting, and maybe even lashing out and trying to hit something. It’s hard to control, hard to calm down, and it’s not pretty! Doubly so if your child has a tantrum in a public place; you can end up feeling very embarrassed and feeling like a bad parent. However, a temper tantrum is never a reflection on you. They’re a big part of growing up, and you probably threw quite a few when you were young too. And seeing as tantrums tend to phase out as your child gets older, they’re usually not something to worry about. But if you’ve got a 3 or 4-year-old who loves to try and throw their weight around, it’s time to find out why. Sure, tantrums can happen for many reasons, but we’ve got the two most common below, as well as a little list of how best to avoid tantrums in the future. No real ability to communicate their feelings Toddlers lack the real ability to tell you how they feel. They don’t have all the words for it yet, and they might not be able to get their anger, sadness, or frustration across to you. Their emotions are still developing, and it’ll take quite a few years before they get used to all the ups and downs life brings them. They certainly don’t know what the words ‘productive’ or ‘constructive’ means yet! So, they resort to the one thing they do know: having a bit of a meltdown. They can get their feelings out all at once this way, and as their parent, you naturally respond! You may try to calm them down, you get them to talk about what it is they want, or you may give them some time out to cool off on their own. Either way, these are the results a child is looking for when they have a tantrum, even if they’re not actively seeking them out. Tantrums simply seem to work and lead to a solution they’re mostly satisfied with, which sorts out their feelings and makes it all better. The need to push their boundaries On the other hand, some toddlers throw tantrums in order to push their boundaries. Maybe they want something you’ve said no to? Maybe they don’t want to go to bed? No matter why they’re having a tantrum, if it’s in response to a negative from you, they’re usually just trying to get their own way. And knowing this can be incredibly frustrating! You’re trying to put boundaries in place that they’re pushing against, and you’re just not sure what you should do here. And standing your ground is easier said than done! After all, you’re both facing off against each other, both of you wanting to be in control, and when it becomes clear to them that you’re in charge, the tantrum comes on in full bloom. But what can you do? Well, avoiding tantrums in the future can be possible. As long as you know what kind of tantrum your child is throwing, you can do things to combat it and reduce the chances of similar episodes occurring. For example: Out of sight, out of mind If your toddler throws tantrums because they don’t get something they want, it’s important to try and reduce their contact with said item(s) as much as possible. Maybe they’re a big fan of sweets? Try storing them up high and behind a cupboard door in the future, where your little one can neither see nor reach. Simply put, they’re much less likely to ask about them when the sweets aren’t in front of them and much less likely to have a tantrum when you say no. Have a distraction ready Toddlers have naturally short attention spans, and that’s something you can make good use of! So, if they want to do something and are willing to have a tantrum over it, offer them something equally as fun to do instead. Say they want to watch a cartoon, but the TV is in use by someone else - take them outside and get them to kick a ball around, or open up their colouring books and do a couple of pages together. Never give in! As we mentioned above, a lot of tantrums are thrown simply because they work. Now, your child might not be actively aware that having a tantrum means they get their own way, but they’ll recognise the pattern. So try not to give in! Stand your ground, even if you hate seeing your child so distressed, and wait for them to calm down before talking things out with them. It’s also a good idea to try and give them back a bit of control, in tiny ways that matter little to their health and safety. Letting them pick which snack they want out of any three you offer them or letting them choose which colour toothbrush when you go shopping, shows them that their voice still matters without needing to have a tantrum about it! Get used to their limits Kids have far lower tolerance levels than we do. This is usually shown when you’re out and about somewhere and the kids are with you; if you’re out shopping, and your toddler has a tantrum in the middle of the veggie aisle, it means they’re reaching their limit. They’re getting tired or hungry, and ultimately, really cranky, and that’s important to keep in mind. If you find your toddler struggles a lot with running errands, try to plan any excursions around their energy levels. If they’ve just got back from preschool, a quick trip around the supermarket is fine, but heading into town and going through 3 or 4 other shops probably won’t be!