All parents know that if their fussy child doesn’t want to eat something, they will put up a real tantrum to avoid it. Vegetables are one of the most common food groups that children avoid, and it can be hard to know how to work them into food without kids knowing (or without it taking you all night to prepare dinner). But it is vital that they eat the recommended daily amount. In 2018, only 18% of UK children aged 5 to 15 ate five standard portions of fruit and vegetables per day, according to a health survey by the HSE, with most only managing three portions. Why do children need vegetables? Vegetables are a relatively easy way for your child to get an intake of energy, vitamins, minerals, fibre and water. Eating plenty of fruit and vegetables is essential in a balanced diet and can even reduce the risk of some illnesses in later life, such as cancer and heart disease. You will have heard the phrase ‘5-a-day’—for children, one portion of fruit or vegetables is the amount they can fit in the palm of their hand, as a rough guide. The UK’s guidelines were developed based on World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations in the prevention of chronic diseases. So, if you have run out of ideas, we have some tips below which could see your child eating vegetables in no time! Blitz it into sauces Everybody loves a Spaghetti Bolognese-style dinner (even if it can be a bit messy). Tomato sauces are simple enough to make from scratch, but you can also use a pre-made option and add blitzed broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, pepper or carrots into the sauce. Just boil or steam the veg, then blend until fine and undetectable. They won’t be able to see the vegetables, and the tomato and other flavourings such as garlic will also mean they can’t easily taste them either. The same applies if you’re making something like a chilli con carne or mac and cheese. Prepare soups Soups are one of the best and easiest ways to get vegetables into diets, even for adults! Use a slow cooker, soup maker or even just an ordinary saucepan to cook all of the vegetables before blending into a smooth soup. Serve with bread or crackers. If there is a particular flavour of soup they already like, such as tomato or cream, try to make that the dominant taste so it is even more undetectable. Add to a smoothie Kids are usually more accepting of fruit than vegetables—the natural sweetness can play a part. If this is the case for you, make a smoothie from scratch but add extras such as spinach, beetroot or courgette. Think of things that will blend right down and be undetectable. However, if your child isn’t bothered about texture, adding things like grated carrot or cauliflower is also an option. Smoothies are even a great way to use up any leftover vegetables which are past their best! Just remember to use a maximum of two or three kinds of fruit in a smoothie for children, due to the natural sugars. Don’t overload with veg until they adapt to the taste, either. Make burgers and meatballs Vegetables which can be pureed or chopped right down are great to add to mince as a binding agent. Think chopped mushrooms, onions and peppers, as well as pureeing carrots or sweet potatoes. Cooking pulses such as chickpeas or lentils before grounding them down is also good for something a bit different. Bind with an egg and shape before serving. Try the meatballs with the tomato sauce idea above and you’re well on your way to getting your kid enough goodness. ...Or make something sweet! Mashing vegetables such as sweet potato, carrot, or avocado means it can be added to a batter mix, and also means you don’t need to add as much extra moisture such as oils. You can even use a blender to break down broccoli or spinach before adding to the mix. There’s plenty of recipes out there for healthy versions of sweet bakes, such as beetroot brownies or vegetable and banana bread if you’re not confident with experimenting. Something like these Carrot & Courgette muffins is a perfect start. Be playful with their food If your child is only just being introduced to vegetables and hasn’t grown to recognise and hate them yet, make dinner times fun. Carrot sticks aren’t carrots, don’t you know—they’re X-ray vision batons. Broccoli florets can be mini trees, and most foods can be arranged to make a face or animal on their plate. Sugarsnap peas can be popped open to reveal sweet, podded peas hidden inside. You can even cut carrot, cucumber and peppers into batons along with pitta bread strips and create a mini serving platter with their favourite sauces or dips. As long as the food is eaten, it’s okay for them to have some fun. Ensure they try everything Just because they don’t like things you have given them so far doesn’t mean they will hate all vegetables. Peas are nice and sweet if you stick to smaller, frozen versions. Sweetcorn is great both on and off the cob. Turnips and swede are nice mashed, and parsnips are great when turned into chips or roasted with a bit of honey. They may even like the vegetables we don’t tend to buy all of the time, such as spring greens, cabbage, squash or aubergine. Finding something they love will at least make one or two dinners every week a bit easier for you to prepare. Remember to lead by example If you wouldn’t want these new experimental vegetables to be wasted, cook them for yourself and allow them to try a bit of your dinner one night to see their reaction. Remember that children ultimately learn from their caregivers; if they see you eating something regularly, or something new, they will eventually want to try and copy. Don’t make a big deal about forcing vegetables on them, either. They need to know it's just another food group, and turning it into a chore won’t help. For longer-term results, if your child is quite fussy when it comes to food, try to work out why. Is it a texture issue, or do they avoid anything sweet/sour/a certain colour? If so, it may be easier to work around these issues and find things that they do like, while slowly introducing the kinds of things they’re not so certain about.

Children are always absorbing new information. One minute they’ll be perusing through their toys and the next they’ll be copying what you say. Therefore, it is very important to monitor the environment and information they are exposed to and to embed positive influences into their lives early on. Below is a guide (in no particular order), to the best shows that are available to cater learning opportunities to your little ones - while being enjoyable! 1. The Octonauts Summary: Based on children’s books written by Vicki Wong and Michael C. Murphy, this show follows a group of underwater adventurers, eight to be precise. Barnacles the polar bear, Kwazii the cat, Peso the Penguin, Inkling the Octopus, Shellington the sea otter, Tweak the rabbit, Dashi the dog, and Turnip the vegimal. They live in a subaquatic base called the Octopod, travelling through the waters, exploring different locations. Although the show itself is fictional, the creatures and locations the crew encounter are based on real marine animals in their natural habitats. Duration per episode: 11 minutes Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXLLQkbYE-G9jYrra7R4Qsw 2. StoryBots Super Songs Summary: Based on the world of StoryBots, centred around the inquisitive little bot pals, Beep, Bing, Bang, Boop, and Bo. This is a music-centric spin-off from its predecessor Ask the Storybots. The format of the show allows a broader learning experience, featuring music videos and real-life kids, as they explore different topics. Catchy and fun! Duration per episode: 20 minutes Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Heeq6RPA45s&list=PLPphPHIzdSQOalc1JEGpPHdfSAQNKOm45 3. Rhyme Time Town Summary: This series reimagines classic nursery rhymes from the perspectives of best friends, Daisy the puppy and Cole the kitten. They use their imaginations and solve problems in their nursery rhyme-inspired village. Each episode begins with the duo engaging in an imaginative adventure and is followed by the entry of their neighbours coming to them with problems to solve. A musical and joyous experience to educate children about positive friendships and teamwork. Duration per episode: 24 minutes Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFHibAwfMzY 4. Llama Llama Summary: Llama Llama lives with his Mama Llama and is roving out into the world. Encountered with new and thrilling experiences, Llama is supported by his friends, his Mama Llama, his grandparents and his teacher, Zelda Zebra. Every day is an adventure for this precious Llama. "Beloved children's book character Llama Llama springs to life in this heartwarming series about family, friendship and learning new things." —Official Netflix Synopsis Duration per episode: 24 minutes Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Pn-1zxYN8I 5. Fireman Sam Summary: A classic children’s television series about a fireman names Sam, his fellow firefighters, and residents of the fictional rural village, Pontypandy. This show first appeared in 1987, a favourite to many. Sharing valuable lessons in safety for preschools, Sam and his crew come to the rescue. Duration per episode: 10 minutes This list only represents part one of the best educational shows out there, stay tuned for the next article to get more suggestions 😊 Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ME-Bgb09yA

Are you tired of hearing, “are we there yet?” or “I’m bored” on every car journey you embark on? If your answer is yes, then look no further. The six-week break is vast approaching and that means an influx in family holidays. We have spent the best part of eighteen months under restrictions and even the inner child in us all will be desperate to break free, see some sun and hit the road, as a family. The film Shrek 2 shone a light on a specific scene. The characters Shrek, Fiona and Donkey embarked on a trip to Far, Far Away. For most of that journey, we heard Donkey complain, “are we there yet?” multiple times. It’s a scene in which we can all relate to when it comes to a car journey with children, as their minds struggle to understand the concept of time. Their brains also require a lot of stimulation, and a monotonous journey can be frustrating for them. Therefore, in this article, I will provide simple ways in which you can be rid of those dreaded thoughts about the journey ahead. Plus, it may even reduce the number of complaints of boredom. “I spy with my little eye…” This is a classic favourite and personally one I played as a child. It provides brain stimulation and even the whole family can play too. One player chooses an object which is in view before announcing, “I spy with my little eye, something beginning with the letter…” and then complete the sentence by dropping the first letter of the object. The rest of the players are expected to then guess the item in question. It helps the children understand words and phrases as they are required to list objects that start with those specific letters. Though since I was a child, times have definitely developed. You can now purchase interactive wipe-board templates of ‘I Spy’ and this includes diagrams or words of objects that the child may spot on the journey. They even come in family packs so adults can participate too. The idea of the game is to spot nature throughout the journey and it can be as simple as natural scenery or animals in a field! This game involves winners and runners up too and the one who spots the most listed items on the list is the winner. As a further persuasion tactic and engagement, you could offer them ice cream when you arrive at the destination or another form of reward. We love to work towards goals and reap the benefits, it’s a natural reaction and it also helps us feel more determined to win the game or give it our best shot at least. It helps them understand numbers and how to count in order to work out the winner as well as the difference between the overall scores. The activity also allows there to be room to understand that ‘sometimes you win some and sometimes you lose some’ too and this creates a sense of development and life skill. Why not incorporate colours into the activity? - For example, “the first one to spot a red car.” Pinterest Printable: *If you don’t have an account, it’s free to make one. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/282882420323793007/ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/112730796907834375/ “The wheels on the bus…” I am sure most of us can recite these in our sleep from the number of times we have sung or even heard the nursery rhyme. However, these rhymes are also educational. Children learn to remember the lines and the sequence they occur which helps expand their brain capacity. It is also a fun way to learn for them as they often like to sing, especially when it’s an inclusive activity. The rhyme often incorporates numbers, sequence of events, colours and shapes too. Children thrive on routine and their brain works in exactly the same way; it feeds off of the rhythm and pattern in the language used. Once they understand the order of events in the nursery rhyme, their confidence will begin to increase and in time they may recite it completely from memory. For those who struggle with communication, it can be a beneficial way to help those skills develop through the use of song, rather than generalised conversation methods. Nursery Rhyme List: https://littlelearningcorner.com/2019/05/nursery-rhymes-for-kids.html *Need the backing tracks to sing-along to? You can purchase a CD or two from the likes of eBay and Amazon. There is also a playlist on Spotify for the streamers of society, https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5VwTGBeSxVeYeylCS8sno9. *It is free to join and use, but without a subscription, it does contain ads! In recent years, technology has advanced so much since desktop computers and floppy disks. We now have smartphones and iPad’s/Tablets. The digital world is all around us, along with the constant access to the Internet. In the next few sections, I will highlight the ways in which technology can be a blessing, especially on a car journey. “Lights, Camera, Action…” You can turn your backseat into a movie theatre without the screen built into the headrest of the car. The absence of Wi-Fi can hinder the ability to stream movies through the likes of Netflix. There is a step-by-step guide for downloading movies onto your device. Cloud Storage (Apple): https://www.wikihow.com/Add-a-Movie-to-Your-iPad. Google Drive (Android): https://www.wikihow.com/Add-Files-to-Google-Drive-Online. However, if you’re a bit like me and the idea of downloading films onto a device is daunting or a little bit too technical, then a Portable DVD Player would definitely be the way to go. There are a number of models, designs and colours to choose from and some are priced at no more than £20* on eBay and Amazon. *Price accurate as of July 2021. “I don’t feel so good…” This sentence alone creates a wave of panic and desperation to pull over. I am a poor traveller, and I was as a child too. The mere thought of watching a film in the backseat of a car or drawing is more than enough to make me feel nauseous. I would often listen to music via a portable cassette player, soon replaced by a portable CD player and so forth. It helps occupy the time, without the awful motion sickness. Some devices now have the chance to add audiobooks to them too. This can help them get lost in a book whilst they gaze at the scenery or closing their eyes for a well-needed kip. Children learn from stories, especially those who are classified as auditory learners or struggle to read and understand a novel. Apple users: https://help.audible.co.uk/s/article/how-can-i-use-my-ipod-to-listen-to-audible-audiobooks-mac. *The application audible does have a free trial period. Android users application installation guide: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ak.alizandro.smartaudiobookplayer&hl=en_GB&gl=US. *Offers in-app purchases. Have a safe journey and a wonderful summer holiday!

If you wish to reduce your child’s screen-time, or just engage in a new (mess-free) activity, origami could be the answer! It may come as a surprise, but aside from the obvious fun (for adults too, let’s not forget), origami holds many educational benefits. Benefits of Origami: Improves fine motor skills It’s no secret that origami can be somewhat fiddly, but that is no bad thing! For pre-schoolers it is important to (quite literally) get to grips with using their fingers; before long they will be asked to perfect their pencil grip, turn pages, and navigate a computer mouse in school. Practising origami is a great form of brain training for children – by using their digits in this refined way, it can give them a head start in the activities just mentioned. Requires perseverance One beauty of origami is that the creation really comes to life in the final fold, even though children (at first) may not see it this way. The process of origami is all part of the fun, but of course, one wrong fold could jeopardise a once hoped for a masterpiece! Origami can teach children the important lesson that persevering through mistakes truly pays off – the final creation wouldn’t be so impressive if it was easy to achieve! Enhances memory In early childhood, the ability to remember is largely developing and origami can be a useful tool in progressing memory skills. Through origami, children can initially follow step-by-step instructions closely, then gradually work from memory; the satisfying, therapeutic nature of origami can help children soak in the process of it. In starting off with simple designs and working towards more complex ones without guidance, young children can origami all sorts off by heart! Builds concentration We cannot deny that sometimes it is difficult to keep a young one’s attention fixed. It may seem as though origami is often short-lived; after all, creating a paper crane does not take as long as some parents might hope! There are, however, perks to brief origami. It provides children with an achievable end that they are more likely to work towards; it challenges them yes, but not to the point where they are faced with an impossible task. By this, origami can have children occupied for longer than first thought. Although individual creations are quick, finishing these encourage children to attempt others. This can have them occupied for hours which, of course, is not only beneficial for them! Develops creativity At its core, origami is an art. Engaging with it allows children to get their creative juices flowing. In starting out with origami at a young age, children can be provided with artistic skills that can be transferred into later life whether that be in creative writing, lateral thinking, or play. How to Origami a Cat Face: Having addressed the benefits of origami, let’s put it all into practice! Here is a step-by-step guide to creating an origami cat. 1. Start with a square piece of paper. This need not be origami paper, nor a specific size; the bigger the square, the bigger the creation! Place the square diagonally. Pull the top corner down to the bottom, and fold. 2. Once folded, place the paper back into its original position. Pull that same top corner down towards the first fold you made, and fold again. Leave that in place. 3. Fold the paper over the first-ever fold you made, so that the small triangle is tucked underneath. 4. Take the right-hand corner down towards the bottom one. Fold, and repeat this step from the left-hand corner. 5. Take the (now) top corner and fold so that it lines up with the edges left and right. 6. The bottom corner should be split into two. Take the right-hand side and fold it up so that the edge of this triangle lines up with the top one. Repeat on the left-hand side. 7. Fold up a small triangle at the bottom of this creation, so that the bottom is no longer pointed. 8. Turn the paper around and get creative; you can draw, paint, or even get the glitter out to make the cat come to life! Go have fun and send us a photo of your completed Cats!

Storytelling is something that’s integral to our development as we grow up. Humans have been telling each other stories for thousands of years, both via the spoken and written word, and we’ve all grown up consuming stories that have fed our imaginations like nothing else. We can lose hours to an imaginary world that’s been lifted straight from the page, and what we see in our head when we read is so much more vibrant and colourful than a TV show or movie could ever be! And the same is true for your child as well. Storytelling is one of the most constructive ways to introduce your child to the world around them; it’s one of the best forms of showing, not telling. Whether they’re reading a book on their own, or you’re curled up and going through a book together, storytelling is the number one way to help your child lay the foundation for a rich and exciting imagination. And why is this important? Simply because such a strong imagination has a lot of benefits! But what are the benefits? Helping your child to relax If a child has something positive and creative and fun to think about, they’re going to be a lot more relaxed and carefree. This is especially true for the nighttime. According to the Sleep Foundation, nearly 50% of children between the ages of 3 and 6 experience a high level of nightmares. It’s why the art of bedtime storytelling is always strongly encouraged, and why you get through so many books per month! If you need a new bedtime story for your child, Ducklings has plenty of bedtime story recommendations to keep your child’s imagination fed for hours on end. But the relaxing nature of storytelling can work in the daytime as well. Whether they’re attending nursery, or an activity club, or they’re just at home with you, your child’s imagination can become their best friend. It’s an endless treasure trove of stories they have total control over, and as little people who follow a schedule set by the adults around them, this is imperative to helping them to stay calm. Encouraging their confidence Children who engage with their imagination on a consistent level tend to be better readers, simply because they’re encouraged to interact with stories! It’s a very positive feedback loop: children want to feed their imagination, which leads to reading more books, which leads to a higher reading level, which helps them to develop a much stronger sense of self, which feeds into their confidence at a young age, and then the cycle starts all over again. Similarly, a rich and wide imagination helps your child to ask questions. It helps them to learn more about how things work, simply because they have the necessary tools to think about it. They’re able to identify different angles that others may not and approach educational tasks and activities more constructively. Knowledge is often the cornerstone of confidence, and with a developed imagination on their side, your child will have no problem learning from the world around them. Developing a sense of playfulness Reading does the mind good. Stories give your child the resources to also create and tell stories of their own, which is the basis of developing the way they think. It allows them to become more creative and a lot more playful with how they interact with the world around them, and one good story can stay on your child’s mind for months on end! And having a more playful sense of self is important. Being playful is a child’s prerogative! You don’t want your child to grow up too fast, and you want them to enjoy their childhood whilst they can, and that means allowing them to mess around and have fun. And this in turn has a lot more benefits: Being playful helps a child connect with those around them, whether they be caretakers or other children. It helps them to cope with their emotions; Due to approaching them in a comedic manner.. Most of all, it helps them to deal with any struggles they come across in their young life; they don’t have much experience, but their playful imagination can give them what they need to overcome difficulties. As a parent, that’s all you’ve ever wanted for your child! Does your child love a story? Let us know! Storytelling is one of the best forms of enrichment for children of developing age. They’re going to love hearing or reading a story, and they’ll love telling you stories of their own, which is always a lovely sight to see. So let them have fun with their imagination, and help them to develop it with a good book or two!

Ducklings has just designed and published a FREE printable pack called "All About Me", which you can download and complete for free by clicking below;

Exercise is essential in young children for nurturing both a healthy mind and body. Creating habits and incorporating daily activity from an early age is invaluable in terms of social, motor, and sensory development. Moreover, with recent NHS figures showing that over 1/5th of reception pupils aged 4-5 are obese or overweight, regular physical activity can counteract the potential for associated health problems. Just like adults, children become overweight when they consume more calories than they expend; combining a balanced diet with sufficient exercise is crucial for children to have a healthy start in life. Promoting physical activity Physical activity includes light, moderate, and more energetic, aerobic activity. Daily guidelines can comprise activity of any intensity, this can be anything from rolling and crawling to walking, skipping, and bike riding! Babies (under 1 year): aim for 30 minutes a day There are plenty of ways to encourage activity in a safe, supervised environment from birth – even if your baby isn't crawling yet. Floor play, tummy-time, and water-based activities all contribute to your child's sensory-motor development. Think pulling, pushing, reaching, and grasping, this will promote sufficient movement of the head and body during daily activities. Toddlers (aged 1-2): aim for 180 minutes a day Outdoor play is encouraged for toddlers, and active play in the form of climbing frames, balance bikes, and water activity is a great way to encourage movement. Lighter activity includes standing up and moving around and more moderate activity can range from jumping and hopping to running and water-play. Pre-schoolers (aged3-4): aim for 180 minutes a day For this age group, at least 60 of the 180 recommended minutes should include higher-intensity physical activity. Children under the age of 5 should not be sedentary for long periods, except for when they're sleeping. Encourage more vigorous activity by teaching your child how to ride a bike, playing outdoor ball games, or creating dance routines. As important as it is to formulate a routine, exercise shouldn't be boring and monotonous; get involved and excited about being active! Play hide and seek, create obstacle courses and supervised races or look into community-based sports teams – the options are endless! Being active whatever the weather Children love outdoor play, but the British weather isn't always on our side, and modern life's sedentary distractions – TV, PlayStation, iPad – are often an excuse for inactivity. The reality, however, is that children are likely to play no matter what the weather! With wellies and waterproofs, they can stay active come rain or shine. Jumping in puddles and splashing in the mud is a great way to encourage sensory development. In cooler months, take advantage of any snow by going sledging, making snow angels and snowmen. As we head into the summer months, pack the SPF and a sun hat and make the most of the sunshine with a bat and ball, hula hoop, or skipping rope! Fun ideas to get moving Making play-time a fun, family-all activity serves as a bonding experience and allows parents and caregivers to model healthy exercise habits for children. Be sure to support and congratulate your child's activity; this builds a positive self-image and esteem as children take pride in their physical accomplishments. Together, families can: Take walks together Ride bikes If you have garden space, utilise it by playing throw and catch, cricket, or football Create and supervise obstacle courses and races Play hide and seek Visit a soft-play area for younger years or a trampoline park for older children Take indoor lessons such as swimming, gymnastics, dance, or karate All movement counts, the more the better!

Within the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) there is an area of learning and development known as ‘Mathematics: Shape, space and measure’ that every child should learn. This article will provide advice on how to create your own shapes out of common materials found around the house, so you can increase involvement and discovery at home. Furthermore, EYFS has an area entitled 'Expressive arts and design: Exploring and using media and materials' which these activities will definitely support! For more information, you can search ‘Development Matters In The Early Years Foundation Stage’ or check out these PDF provided by the Department of Education: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/988004/Development_Matters.pdf https://www.foundationyears.org.uk/files/2012/03/Development-Matters-FINAL-PRINT-AMENDED.pdf Additionally, feel free to ask your nursery about their EYFS Framework used, and carry out these basic learning activities at home with your children to further develop their learning, while having fun at the same time! Ducklings also provides a ton of free resources and activities to try at home, which can be found here: https://www.ducklingspreschool.co.uk/activities So let's get into exploring shapes at home - Paper towel and toilet paper rolls, with tape. Like in the photos below, save up your paper rolls and experiment with making shapes at home today! To construct your own 3D triangle shape you can create this by building up large cylinder cardboard tubes. This is a simple activity in which children can engage in themselves or/and with the help of an adult showing them how to create the triangle shape if they do not already know how to. If older they could create this themselves. You might be able to find these cylinder cardboard tubes from something you have bought to then use for this junk modelling construction activity or/and you may be able to find other large cardboard tubes from items such as an empty wrapping paper roll, smaller cardboard toilet rolls at home and just placing these together to create this shape. You could ask the children “what shape have you created?” You could ask “how many sides does this shape have?” Arts activities can be combines with learning about what you can find in the outdoors such as from forest school or just simply at home in a garden or on a walk. Items that children can find and pick up from the outdoors can be identified. You can ask them what they have found, what colour it is, look up the type of item and its name in a book to refer to and stick down these items onto art paper in detailed artwork arrangements and then they have already learnt what it means to create their own outdoor artwork and what can be found in the world and the environment around them in which they live, play and go to nursery in. - Materials found around the house and garden, a piece of paper, and tape. Like in the photos below, gather items around your house and garden. These activities will support the EYFS 'Understanding the World'. Arts activities can be combines with learning about what you can find in the outdoors such as from forest school or just simply at home in a garden or on a walk. Items that children can find and pick up from the outdoors can be identified. You can ask them what they have found, what colour it is, look up the type of item and its name in a book to refer to and stick down these items onto art paper in detailed artwork arrangements and then they have already learnt what it means to create their own outdoor artwork and what can be found in the world and the environment around them in which they live, play and go to nursery in. If you would like to create one of these detailed, artistic, floral and garden outdoor artwork arrangements please read further. This can simply be created by finding various outdoor items in your own back garden or even out on a walk by a forest. You might find different types of leaves, flower heads, twigs etc and then all you need to do is glue and stick them down using a craft glue such as this one called ‘HI-TACK ALL PURPOSE VERY STICKY GLUE’ which can be found and bought or ordered from art shops such as Hobby Craft. Or if you cannot buy this type of glue another simple alternative option that would be more child friendly would be to get a plastic cup, a plastic glue spreader, some plain flour and some warm water and just simply pour a bit of the plain flour into your plastic cup, add some warm water and stir and mix this up with your glue spreader until it's made a thick but smooth paste ready to act as glue which you can then spread straight onto your paper or onto the back of your outdoor items which you have found to stick them down onto the paper where you want them. If you want to create artwork such as this you can arrange and group together the same colour and type of outdoor items you have found into small clusters on your art paper page and stick them down together, then continue to do this same process with the same group items until eventually you have filled your whole page and have also created a much larger detailed, artistic, floral and garden outdoor artwork arrangement. This activity, in particular, would be better suited to pre-school and holiday club children who may even come to the nursery to carry out activities in forest school or for these age groups to carry out at home or/and with families, friends.

“The most beautiful world is always entered through imagination” – Helen Keller. In the following article, I will discuss the benefits that arise from a simple game of dress-up, including those who are on the autistic spectrum. I will conclude with different ways in which you can incorporate pretend play and have the same experience, but with the absence of clothing, for those children who do not find the idea of dressing up appealing. Brain Building: This activity improves brain stimulation as well as expanding their memory skills. Their natural creative juices often flow and are endless just like their imagination. A child may incorporate a memory or event into their play sequence. They learn from others and during the developmental stages, their mind is like a sponge and absorbs every detail as well as every piece of verbalised information. This is often why we are informed to be careful of the actions and words we use around children. Though, a prime example of using a daily activity in pretend play would be if they witnessed an adult using their mobile phone to conduct a conversation and the child then proceeds to mimic the phrases and actions through a toy mobile phone of their own or even an object that looks similar. A child may even love to play one of the following games: checkout assistant, a doctor/nurse, a joiner and/or a cleaner. The list of possible occupations is endless but each one provides a form of brain activity, one in which allows them to flourish. This is also sometimes where a child may get the idea for a dream job. Most of us would have had aspirations as children, some dreamt of becoming astronauts, others veterinary nurses, or mechanics. The options were endless, and not impossible to achieve once grown up! The key to the development of these dreams often stemmed from passion, enthusiasm and most importantly through pretend play! Children often watch a form of moving picture and those influence their actions, vocabulary and memory absorption. They will often hear and/or visualise a specific scene and then re-enact this. It can even include something they have seen in a movie, cartoon or on YouTube (children’s channels of course). Technology has advanced and now there are ways in which we can protect our children from the dangers of the internet, through the ability to lock specific apps and I was recently informed of the variation on YouTube which is specifically designed and focused on child-friendly content. Those with autism may not understand the concept of a specific cartoon or the reasons behind the character’s costume but they will often still enjoy the concept of pretend play. For example, they may love the idea of wearing a cape and running around whilst it flaps in the wind, but the reason behind superhero’s wearing capes may not be clearly understood. Finding Their Voice: A child’s vocabulary can increase through pretend play, especially if they incorporate specific lines and catchphrases from influential people or sources. It can be as something as simple as a few lines or a couple of words that their favourite character airs. Nevertheless, this phrase usually encourages the child to speak up or an attempt to mimic their favourite’s actions too. It also goes hand in hand with the memory absorption as they are accurately able to recollect the vocabulary. Though these words are often not used in reality or in generalised conversation as a whole, it can give the child a new sense of confidence and the ability to try and use them in conversation. A positive reaction to these new catchphrases can help their self-esteem, as well as encourage them to talk and engage with others more often too. Motor Skills: Children often love to dress up as their favourite character, but this comes with the challenge of putting on that specific outfit. Fasteners can be difficult to do, especially for children and this activity allows them to be able to learn how to fasten the attire. Those with autism may struggle to understand how a zipper may fasten for example but incorporating this with dressing up makes it more fun and definitely less daunting. Though, there are those who do not like dressing up and that’s also perfectly okay. If this happens to be the case, I have included alternatives at the end of the article to help. * We often hear the horror stories from parents/carers about their children who did not want to wear clothes that particular morning. It can often be interpreted as a mission and a half whilst the clock continues to tick away. I once heard a tale from a friend of how her child became as stiff as a board when she tried to place their legs into a pair of trousers. Though, with the use of pretend play and dress up, it can often encourage them that the necessity is not as mundane as it appears. Sometimes children wear their fancy attire to parties, the walk to school/nursery and even in the local supermarket. Once they are dressed head to toe in their chosen outfit the child can then mimic their favourite character’s actions and phrases too. They may incorporate multiple abilities such as: memory absorption, vocabulary skills and/or motor skills. Each of these play an important role in terms of pretend play and go hand in hand with each other. Emotional Development: As previously mentioned, children love to partake in occupational roles, including veterinary roles and even doctorial or nursing too. Each of these positions require a definitive level of passion, empathy and understanding. Therefore, encouraging a child to demonstrate these factors in pretend play can improve their emotional development. For example, the child may be a nurse/doctor and they would need to perhaps take care of you and provide advice for how to become as fit as a butcher’s dog, metaphorically speaking. On the other hand, they may use a stuffed animal and a figurine/doll to practice their empathy, skills and knowledge on. A child may have a passion for animals and caring for them, to which incorporating veterinary care into pretend play can be highly beneficial. Using toys and first-class enthusiasms can automatically pique their interest and this is the first step to including the emotional aspect into their everyday world. This developmental skill can help when interacting with others too, through the use of inclusivity, imagination and even vocabulary wise. Gender-Exploration: Children often choose an outfit they wish to wear, and this allows room for exploration and a difference in terms of gender identities too. In terms of social normalisation, it is perceived that, girls should choose princess, fairies and female-based character’s outfits whilst boys on the other hand should choose pirates, fireman and superhero’s. Though in some aspect this has changed, and it is becoming more acceptable for there to be gender equality in terms of occupation and therefore it should be acceptable in a younger age too, including pretend play. A child should never be ridiculed for pretending to be a different gender and this aspect of pretend play allows them to dress up and enter a world in which they feel comfortable, safe and can be happy. Socialising With Others: The concept of pretend play allows children to freely express themselves and this encourages self-belief which then transpires into engaging with others. It can help them expand their vocabulary, memory muscle and even their imagination. Interaction is beneficial for us all, we are classified as social beings and therefore including this early on can help reduce social anxiety. It is important for a child’s emotional welfare too as they can feel less secluded in a classroom or friendship circle. Children will feel more relaxed and able to communicate freely with others once they are made aware of how to do so. Granted, it has been difficult for us, as adults, to interact and be sociable creatures due to the pressures of lockdown, never mind children. Therefore, due to the influx of a desire to communicate and mix with others it has brought to our attention just how vital it is to talk and engage with likeminded folk. Children learn through social interactions with similar aged friends as well as adults and this goes hand in hand with how their mind works like a sponge. It is almost like a snowballing effect, because the more words they learn, the more their muscle memory expands, and this then links with the concept of recalling events and memories which are already embedded in their mind. These memories can then be incorporated into pretend play. *What if my child doesn’t like to dress up? Some children like to partake in the concept of pretend play and mimic their favourite characters without the need for the outfit and that’s perfectly okay too. It can arise in those with autism due to the sensory stimulus. They may dislike a specific fabric, and this can have a negative impact on the idea of pretend play. Their brain processes the clothing with negative connotations, and this creates deep disengagement in the beneficial activity. If you’re aware of what they like and dislike in terms of clothing wise, you could make your own if you’re quite the seamstress. If not, there is always the option to locate sellers and entrepreneurs who thrive on making personalised products. Some even explain the fabrics they use and allow room for adaptation. So, if your child loves a particular fabric, why not log on to the likes of ‘Etsy’ and find that suitable material to print their logo or pattern onto. An example would be if say your child loves superman and they can then advertise the well-known logo on a fabric the child prefers. If they struggle with getting dressed as a whole, then you can make stuffed animals or buy toys that are linked to their favourite character, and they can still interact with them on the same level. This way, their introduction to pretend play is accessible despite the alterations required to make it possible. ‘Dress-up’ is fun and creates a sense of alternate reality but it is not for every child. Yet, pretend play is for every child and it benefits them in multiple ways.

Before we know it the summer holidays will be upon us! A time where all the children are excited about their summer plans, and the staff are excited to get a much-deserved break to relax. So to help celebrate this, we've designed a few Teacher Award Certificates the staff can give out and reward to one another. Some being funny, others being caring and genuine. With 20 unique certificates available, we're confident any nursery and preschool setting can use these to help with their team bonding and end of term celebrations! To download these certificates for FREE please click on the Download ZIP icon below! And please, leave a like below and comment some ideas/recommendations of your own that you've previously used at your centre, to further help out others! Although some of these ideas are original, others were provided and shared by some lovely members of the Facebook group Early Years Managers 2021 which can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1105292516178952, so a special thank you to those members for the help.

Whether you're looking for the very first storybook to read to your child, or are an avid reader looking for new recommendations as you've re-read the same story 10 times. We've got you covered! Wolfboy - by Andy Harkness Little Owl’s Bedtime - by Debi Gliori Good Night I Love You – by Caroline Church The Way I Feel – by Janan Cain The Lion and the Mouse - by Jerry Pinkney Blanche Hates the Night - by Sibylle Delacroix The Way Home in the Night - by Akiko Miyakoshi The Gruffalo – by Julia Donaldson Rapunzel – by Catherine McCafferty Can't you Sleep, Little Bear? - by Martin Waddell Child of the Universe - by Ray Jayawardhana And, if you are looking for dreamy tales to help you drift off, check out the ones below! Most are available on mobile apps such as Audible and Spotify. Nothing Much Happens: Cozy and Calming Stories to Soothe Your Mind and Help You Sleep - by Kathryn Nicolai Slouching Towards Bethlehem – by Joan Didion To The Lighthouse – by Virginia Woolf The Lord of the Rings - by J. R. R. Tolkien The Architect's Apprentice - by Elif Shafak Ducklings also offers some fantastic resources you can access for FREE to aid in reading! https://www.ducklingspreschool.co.uk/readers From our own stories written by the wonderful Joana Ribokaite ranging from Timmy the Turtle, the Penny the Penguin, Bailey the Bumblebee, Emily the Elephant, and Leo the Snow Leopard. We also have Ducklings StoryTime videos, in which our wonderful staff have recorded themselves reading some of the stories listen above and many many more, along with Dance and Sing-along videos, and numerous activities which will help test your child's reading and writing skills - Alphabet writing practice, The Missing Letter Task, Naming things, Days of the Week worksheets, Spot the Letter worksheets and more! Please feel free to check them out here, https://www.ducklingspreschool.co.uk/readers , and let us know if you'd love to see more!

POTTY TRAINING! Those two words will bring up a wide range of emotions to every parent. Luckily for us, with the aid of the internet, there are a ton of resources available to use online. From articles to videos to forums where fellow parents ask for help. We’ve searched for hours to find the best tips, and have put together a compilation of them so you don’t have to! Firstly, the NHS offers an article titled “How to potty train” which can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/babys-development/potty-training-and-bedwetting/how-to-potty-train/ “It’s best to take it slowly and go at your child’s pace. Being patient with them will help them get it right, even if you sometimes feel frustrated.” (NHS.com) In terms of their age; By age 1, most babies have stopped doing poos at night By age 2, some children will be dry during the day, but this is still quite early. By age 3, 9 out of 10 children are dry most days - even then, all children have the odd accident, especially when excited, upset, or absorbed in something else. By age 4, most children are reliably dry during the day. When to start potty training? Most children will not want to go to school in nappies, so between 2 and 2 and a half, is the most common time to start. Some parents will find it easier to start potty training in the summer (as there are fewer clothes to take off and wash, and clothes dry quicker). Try potty training when life is consistent with no distractions, to avoid confusion. Getting ready for potty training? Start changing nappies in the bathroom at home, so your child begins to associate the bathroom as the place to go when they need to use the toilet. Another tip is to ask your child to flush the toilet and wash their hands with you, so they begin to learn those skills too after using the bathroom. Leave the potty in a visible place, so your child is not fearful of the new object. Another tip is to leave the potty in the downstairs bathroom, so your child can use it easier whenever they wish. You may even wish to leave toys or a book by the potty, so your child has something to look at to help them sit still on the potty, to begin with. How to start potty training? If your child regularly goes at the same time each day, leave their nappy off around at this time, and suggest they use the potty. If this suggestion upsets your child, put their nappy back on and leave it for a few more weeks and try again. Use the potty for everything (not just for poos) as this will help build your child's confidence using it. If your child does have an accident, don’t make a huge fuss. This may lead to your child becoming anxious and worried about using it. Additionally, praise your child for using the potty. The NHS recommends not giving sweets as a reward, instead of using stickers on a chart that can be kept in the bathroom to praise and reward your child for doing well. Using washable potty training pants can help teach your child how to swap into “grown-up” pants when they’re ready. Encourage your child to keep their training pants dry, and to use the potty. Night-time potty training tips? Focus on potty training during the day. Once they have that down, then they may be ready for night-time potty training. Get your child to use the potty right before bed. Using waterproof sheets may be a good idea to protect the bed mattress. Like day training, praise your child for success but don't overdo it. If accidents happen regularly, continue to use nappies at night for a few weeks and then try again. Potty training with a disabled child? It may be more difficult to learn to use the potty or toilet for children with a long-term illness or disability. These links below will provide a parent’s guide on potty training with a disabled child, along with a contact website for further support. https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/ http://www.cafamily.org.uk/media/379936/potty_toilet_training.pdf https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/babys-development/potty-training-and-bedwetting/how-to-potty-train/ Toilet or the potty? Some children may prefer to use the toilet over the potty. This is fine, and a child’s trainer seat may help! These seats clip onto the toilet and can help make your child feel safer and more confident on the toilet. Getting a child’s trainer seat along with a mini step will help, as it will allow your child to rest their feet on the ground, get in a good position to use the bathroom, and help them remain more comfortable. If you'd like to use a Potty Training Chart we have designed 3 different layouts - so let your child pick out which one they prefer to make the training more enjoyable and interactive for your child! Feel free to download these here If you’d prefer to watch a video check out the latest WhatsUpMoms video; Potty Training! (Ep.21) which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eob-lYnfx68 . There are a ton of useful videos on YouTube, however, this video provides a ton of unique tips and tricks that may help (Including using whiteboard markers on the potty to allow your children to draw over their potty to get more familiar and less scared about it) If you'd prefer to use music, Cocomelon Nursery Rhymes published "Potty Training Song", which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH2Sm0Wj3Dw . Toddler Fun Learning also published "Princess Polly's Potty" another Potty Training Video for Toddlers you may find helpful, which can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwJ8SFDFEP0. In summary, patience and praise are key elements to having a successful journey into potty training your child. We wish you the best of luck, and hope this article has helped. If you are still struggling, please don’t hesitate to ask a member of our staff, or send us a message either in the comments below or privately using our Contact Us Page (https://www.ducklingspreschool.co.uk/contact) and we’d be more than happy to help however we can!

Reading is a common struggle for students of all ages, including pre-schoolers. Although a dislike to reading may simply be due to boredom - which is discussed in our other article ‘Easy ways to encourage your child's love of reading' - reading difficulties should not be ignored as they can hold back your child from becoming their best in future years. Some red flags for reading difficulties are: A below-average reading level Difficulty sounding out words Difficulty recognising words A lack of fluency when reading Problems understanding what was just read Problems connecting what is read to previous knowledge Anxiety about reading Avoiding reading altogether Difficulty with spelling and writing Tasks involving reading or writing take an unusually long time to complete Easily distracted when reading All these red flags are discussed more in-depth by Oxford Learning (https://www.oxfordlearning.com/signs-of-reading-disability/) so if any of these red flags stand out, this article provides information on what signs to watch for, and how to help change them. The British Dyslexia Association furthermore goes in-depth of signs of dyslexia in the Early Years. The ‘red flags’ or indicators they’ve chosen for early years children are: Difficulty learning nursery rhymes Difficulty paying attention, sitting still, listening to stories Likes listening to stories but shows no interest in letters or words Difficulty learning to sing or recite the alphabet A history of slow speech development Muddles words Difficulty keeping simple rhythm Finds it hard to carry out two or more instructions at one time Forgets names of friends, teachers, colours etc. Difficulty cutting, sticking, and colouring in comparison with their peer group Difficulty in dressing (shoelaces and buttons) Difficulty with catching, kicking, or throwing a ball Often trips, bumps into things, falls over and finds it difficult to skip and hop If you are worried about your child’s reading and language development, we recommend speaking to your GP or health practitioner. You may also find it helpful to discuss these concerns with your child’s teachers and with the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo). Ducklings is proud that each of our sites has a named SENCo (Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator), as well as TWO company SENCo Managers, Michelle and Becky, who further supports all the sites. Together, these Coordinators and Managers play vital roles in supporting to ensure that a child’s individual needs are met. References Oxford Learning (2018). 11 Characteristics of struggling readers. Accessed on 12th April 2021. [Online] https://www.oxfordlearning.com/signs-of-reading-disability/. The British Dyslexia Association (2021). Signs of dyslexia (Early Years). Accessed on 12th April 2021 [Online] https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/advice/children/is-my-child-dyslexic/signs-of-dyslexia-early-years .

Reading is one of the most fundamental skills anyone can have to be successful. Reading not only helps academically but is needed in everyday life. Reading develops our vocabulary, it improves our creativity, increases our attention spans, and improves our analytical thinking… while also being fun! Now we know all the benefits, let’s learn about ways we can actually start doing it! Whether you’ve tried reading with your child but they’re simply not enjoying it, or you’re not sure how to start reading at home, why not try some of these steps below. Start reading yourself. Children learn by watching, so let your child see you reading! Trust me I know it’s easier to turn on your TV, but why not set aside one night a week where you read for an hour? Another idea, maybe read a short story book together, and then once you’ve finished the book, watch the movie rendition. Not only will this increase your child’s love for storytelling, but they’re also learning to love reading. Let your child pick the book. Your child is definitely going to be more interested in reading if it’s a story they’ve selected to read! I’d suggest introducing different options of different genres, so your child doesn’t become bored, and if you don’t have several books at home, a trip to the local library or asking for book recommendations by the staff at Ducklings may help! Encourage your child to read and write every day. Making reading fun is KEY to making your child enjoy it! One way to do this is by writing exciting stories together, or writing letters to their friends and family, or promote that they keep a diary/journal where they can write about anything they want. If your child loves storybooks or writing practice sheets, or playing games check out ducklings readers which has a ton of free material you can use at home to additionally help make reading become fun! Talk about reading with your child. Finally, after your child’s completed some reading activities, talk about it! Oppenheimer said “The best way to learn is to teach”, so ask your child questions about what they’ve just done and allow them to teach you. What happened to the main character? What was their favourite part? What did they wish had happened instead? This will help enhance your child’s comprehension skills, along with improving their love for reading! Support your child, especially if they find reading difficult. If you’re trying over and over to get your child to read but they’re struggling, I’d recommend taking a step back and examining the areas where they’re struggling. Reading difficulties is nothing to be embarrassed about, and shouldn’t be ignored as students who have difficulty reading can fall behind quickly, if not helped. One of the most common reading disability that affects everyone is dyslexia, with about 15-20% of people struggling with some level of dyslexia. But there are so many resources that can help you - Ducklings has published 'Characteristics of children who struggle with reading', which provides a list of potential red flags to look out for. This blog can be found here. If you are concerned that your child is finding reading difficult, ask your child’s teachers if they’ve noticed this too! You are not alone. I hope these steps will help boost your child’s love for reading, as it’s truly an amazing skill to have! And remember, reading should be fun! So go have some fun. #earlyyears #reading #preschool

“The mind that opens to a new idea never returns to its original size” – Albert Einstein. Despite the myth that we use only 10% of our brain, it is still believed that most of us are still struggling to use our mind to their full capacity. It is said that at the age of three, a children’s brain is twice as active as an adult’s brain and at the age of five their brain is able to administer the development process. This being said, there are ways in which their capacity and mental growth can be amplified. In this article, I will discuss activities that can help with brain training, and then explain the reasoning behind this. The Memory Game: This game is perfect as an introduction to brain training exercises. It can also be used for those who have developed brain damage through an accident, for example. You can make the activity yourself by cutting an A4 piece of paper into decent-sized shapes and adding a design of your choice. If your child loves cars then perhaps drawing illustrations of cars would be appropriate and as it is their prime interest, they will engage in the activity a lot sooner. You could even make it a little more educational by using colours, letters and/or numbers on the cards. As long as it is simple enough for them to understand and clear to visualise, the child will be able to grasp the concept of the game. Tip: If you are not the arty type, you could always print images off of the internet and glue them onto the squares or even cut them out of magazines. It’s all about imagination and ensuring your child will engage to the best of their ability. Once the cards have successfully been created, it is simply then a case of mixing them up and placing the images face down onto a table or clear floor space. Some children feel much happier when the game becomes inclusive, and this is definitely one in which you can partake in too. So, why not get involved and take turns to match the pairs? Who knows, they may end up becoming competitive and before you know it, you’re going head-to-head! This activity helps with: Ability to sort and classify particular objects. Recognising patterns. Improves their focus and determination to find the pair. Attention to detail. Improves hand-eye coordination when the cards are turned over. Problem-solving: understanding which card creates the pair. Social skills: especially in head-to-head matches. Enhances cognitive abilities: faster-thinking skills. The sensation of satisfaction when all the cards have been successfully paired. For more games check out this article; https://childhood101.com/short-term-memory-games/ Dot-to-Dot: This activity appears to be quite simple and although it is, there are still a heap of benefits attached to it. Here at Ducklings we have several free resources online you can download and use at home which can be found at https://www.ducklingspreschool.co.uk/artists. There are other free printable versions online, via https://www.allkidsnetwork.com/dot-to-dot/ and https://www.education.com/worksheets/dot-to-dots/. The latter has the option to choose the printable by their educational grade and/or subject. Tip: If you are unable to access the internet or in the absence of a printer, you could draw your own and let them colour and connect the dots. Some bargain stores stock the books in the stationary section too! Why not purchase an adult book of your own or print out a selection of your choice? Together you can connect dots, create pictures and even colour them in! This activity helps with: Counting: Starting from 1 and progressing until the final digit. Hand-eye coordination: finding the next number in the sequence and physically connecting the dots together to create a pattern. Improves concentration: creating the lines that reveal the correct image. Develops their fine motor skills: holding a pencil. Helps those with developmental disabilities. Cultivates their mathematic and language skills. Aids spatial awareness. Creativity and imagination: creating the image and working out what the picture is of. Sense of fulfilment when the image is completed and even coloured. Tracing: This creative technique provides similar benefits to the dot-to-dot activity. The specialised paper can be purchased from a bargain stationery shop as well as the books which usually involve the alphabet. Sometimes the pre-made books have designated lines below the letter and placement dots to help children understand where to place their pencil, in order to re-create the assigned letter. Tip: There are printable versions online in the form of animals, letters and words via https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/tracing-printables. This webpage includes the option to select special occasions and seasonal pieces too. This activity helps with: Understanding shapes, symbols, numbers and letters etc. Helps develop fine motor skills: using a pencil. Enhances their drawing ability and understanding of the direction of lines and patterns. Allows them to develop their handwriting skills and even write their own name. Creativity and imagination come into play when they have to understand the picture, word or letter. Problem-solving: working out how to re-create the image. Aids those who have developmental disabilities. Improves their linguistic and mathematic skills. Spatial awareness. Sense of satisfaction when seeing the final piece come together. Building Blocks: This activity often goes down well with children, especially those who love to create buildings for their toys or even if they get joy from watching a tower topple to the floor. It is highly entertaining and provides a heap of benefits. Tip: If you’re unable to get to a local toy store, you can make your own from surplus pieces of wood and toilet and/or kitchen roll tubes. You can even colour them or draw on your own designs including letters and numbers. Sometimes a little colour can attract the child’s attention and help them become more engrossed in the activity. Why not get stuck in and build that Jenga tower together? – Watch it crash-land to the floor or build an empire for their favourite toys to take residency in. Children love games where they can unleash their never-ending imagination. This activity helps with: Hand-eye coordination: understanding how to create a tower without knocking down the previously laid blocks. Teaches mathematics and engineering skills. Spatial awareness. Creativity and imagination: what to build and how to make it look like their ideation. Problem-solving: knowing where to place the particular block and how. Increases their physical, mental and social growth. Enhances their cognitive capabilities. Sense of fulfilment.

Finally, Big Bear said, "Little Hummingbird, what are you doing?" Little Hummingbird looked at the other animals. She said, "I am doing what I can." - Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, The Little Hummingbird As a child, hearing the phrase “goodnight” and then finding yourself in a semi-dark room which, just seconds before, was shimmering with light, and your parents’ comfortable presence can be terrifying. Saying goodnight is equivalent to saying goodbye in children’s minds. Followed by the mysterious process of drifting to sleep is another struggle. It can cause all sorts of anxious thoughts to arise, making the chances of achieving a goodnight’s sleep decline. So why are bedtime stories essential for children? Firstly, it gives them food for thought. Bedtime stories, whether it be fairy tales or grizzly tales, sparks imagination. The thoughts, and emotion that arise from the story experience act as a focus and distraction point. This is important not only for children but parents as well. After a day of activities and exasperations, reading a book can bring you closer to sleep. The calming effect induces fatigue to takeover and stimulating external factors to settle. As bedtime stories happen when children are tired and tucked away in their beds, making it part of a bedtime routine serves as a powerful sleeping cue. Over time, it will become easier to support the cultivation of good-quality sleep for your child. Furthermore, the research emphasises the power of bedtime reading for adults too, so for the parents reading this, we encourage you to add this to your own sleep routine to unwind and release yourself from any stress. Dr. Steve Orma, a clinical psychologist says “There’s a paradox to sleep, in that it comes when you’re not trying. When you try to sleep, your mind monitors your efforts, which then keeps you awake. Instead, have the intention of relaxing and letting go. The first step in getting a good night’s sleep is being in the right mindset. If you’re tired, relaxed, and ready for sleep, you will automatically fall asleep after 10 to 20 minutes. This is why doing something calming before bed will help prepare you for sleep. This can be meditation, reading (nothing too exciting) or listening to a ‘Sleep Story’, designed to help you let go and ease into a peaceful slumber.” (Cited from GettheGloss.com) A world of imagination Listening to stories activates mental imagery and narrative comprehension. It encourages children to switch on their imagination and create their own understanding of what’s being read to them. But what’s storytelling without some goofiness? To get your child fully in touch with their realm of imagination, it is important for parents to act out the story and impersonate the characters. Children absolutely adore movement and sound with their stories, and it’s a perfect time to just be silly. Not only does it promote engagement and conversation, but it also allows you and your little ones to simply enjoy each other’s company. Peter Gorski, M.D., chair of the early childhood committee of the American Academy of Paediatrics said, "More than anything, you want them to associate reading with emotional warmth and fun.” (Cited from Parents.com) The rise of language and knowledge Wouldn’t you be utterly surprised if your toddler casually articulated words like, “quintessence”. Yes, but that’s not something we can certify. However, on the plus side, regularly storytelling enables children to augment their dictionary. The repetition of new words will encourage them to link meanings with it and increase their literacy. Furthermore, reading introduces them to a diverse collection of information such as cultures, traditions, and ideas. They’ll possess a deeper understanding of the world through the perspective of fictional characters. They’ll be able to grasp the concept of protagonist vs antagonist, and the different emotions experienced throughout the story which makes storytelling a great channel for empathy as well! So, what do you say? Just one story a night can truly do wonders. If you are looking for some stories to read to your little ones tonight, here are some suggestions 😊 Little Owl’s Bedtime - by Debi Gliori Wolfboy - by Andy Harkness Good Night I Love You – by Caroline Church The Way I Feel – by Janan Cain The Lion and the Mouse - by Jerry Pinkney Blanche Hates the Night - by Sibylle Delacroix The Way Home in the Night - by Akiko Miyakoshi The Gruffalo – by Julia Donaldson Rapunzel – by Catherine McCafferty Can't you Sleep, Little Bear? - by Martin Waddell Child of the Universe - by Ray Jayawardhana And, if you are looking for dreamy tales to help you drift off, check out the ones below! Most are available on mobile apps such as Audible and Spotify. Nothing Much Happens: Cozy and Calming Stories to Soothe Your Mind and Help You Sleep - by Kathryn Nicolai Slouching Towards Bethlehem – by Joan Didion To The Lighthouse – by Virginia Woolf The Lord of the Rings - by J. R. R. Tolkien The Architect's Apprentice - by Elif Shafak

Music aids learning more than you may think! Music Day is nearly here! Taking place on the 21st of June, it is a day to appreciate musical achievements and advances from all over the world. Everyone, big and small, can understand music. It plays a big part in our everyday lives. Let's learn about why music is not only significant for adults but also for children. Music has been proven to boost the development of literacy skills in the Early Years Recently the Ottawa University researched the development of early literacy skills, which conclusively showed that music and language activities played a role in Early Years development. Furthermore, The study tested the efficiency of four learning conditions to develop phonological and musical processing skills through a set of 10 nursery rhymes. In the teachers' practices, eight kindergarten classes were paired and assigned to one of the following conditions: 1) music 2) language 3) combined [music and language] and, 4) passive listening (control classes). In condition 1, the students' replaced nursery rhymes with musical activities. In condition 2 they replaced nursery rhymes with language activities. In Condition 3 was a combination of activities from conditions 1 and 2 and condition 4, children listened to a recording of the same nursery rhymes for 15 minutes daily during free exploration periods. The results show that children in conditions 1, 2 and 3 significantly improved their phonological awareness and invented spelling skills. However, the addition of musical activities boosted phonological processing skills. This study shows that supplementing nursery rhymes with language activities can increase the development of emergent literacy skills. Here are some suggestions below to foster your child's love for rhyme and music at home: You can put together a collection of objects that rhyme and find the matching pairs! You can collect story props and make little storytelling baskets or bags to go with popular rhymes or stories, e.g. a cow, a dog and cat toys along with a dish and a spoon from the kitchen You can play story stones with your child and let their imagination take over. You can make a more general storytelling basket so you can create mixed up fairy tales, rhymes and chants for fun! You can Sing Animal Boogie with your child and use toy animals around your home to bring the song to life. Here's a link for the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25_u1GzruQM (something like this picture) Let us know what you've learnt in the comments below! Cited Bolduc, J. & Lefebvre, P. (2012). Using Nursery Rhymes to Foster Phonological and Musical Processing Skills in Kindergarteners. Creative Education, 3, 495-502 http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?paperID=21626

Having a disability should not hinder a child’s ability to participate in a sport. Understandably, it can make a child feel less willing to partake in an activity due to a lack of confidence and they may feel inadequate to others. However, there are clubs that are designed specifically to cater for their needs and requirements. Sport can help with a child’s overall health and wellbeing as well as increase their social skills when interacting with others. Sometimes, surrounding themselves with fellow sufferers can in fact help their confidence grow. This is because they feel less inadequate and alone in society. A child is more likely to flourish and enjoy the activity if someone has taken into consideration the adjustments that need to be made in order for them to take part. Those with a disability often suffer from low self-esteem and this can affect their confidence levels as well as their motivation to partake in a sport that highlights their difference. However, a club that specialises in their condition may help increase their self-confidence as these places have a deeper understanding of the condition and the adaptations that are required in order for the child to be able to fulfil their passion and love for the activity. After all, it is important for them to enjoy it to its full capacity. In this article, I will break down a range of activities which are suitable and the ways in which they can provide a heap of benefits. Wheelchair Sports Adaptive activities are highly beneficial for both physical and emotional wellbeing. An activity can release endorphins which stimulate positive energies. For those with a disability, it can reduce the anxiety that surrounds them due to their condition. It can be a mental challenge in terms of keeping high spirits, but it is proven that sport can create a sense of calmness and encourage a clearer thinking process. A friendly game of wheelchair basketball or tennis might just be the highlight of their entire week. These activities can help to create a sense of belonging and keep their mind active. It can help in regard to understanding their own condition too and learn from others about how to cope and live with the disability day in and day out. Every day is a chance to learn, and the child may benefit from communicating with others about their condition and even receive support from like-minded people. It’s a great sense of community for them and those with the disability can have a deeper understanding and connection. Sport can also allow the individual to become more independent and flourish. It can be so rewarding for them when they learn to adapt, develop new skills and even reach new heights when they score a point in those all-important matches! It may even help your child increase their stamina and muscle strength too. The adaptive sport doesn’t have to just be limited to land, as children with a disability can also take part in rafting, rowing and even canoeing. These kinds of events are highly inclusive as anyone can become involved, irrespective of their physical disability and/or sensory learning impairment. Water-based activities provide a heap of benefits such as the ability to form friendships and become healthy at the same time. “Disabled people can be hero’s too.” – Ade Adepiton (wheelchair basketball player). Sports for the visually impaired There is a sport which is called Goalball, and this involves playing three-a-side. It is developed for those who are partially sighted as the ball itself has belled inside which helps the players to indicate whereabouts the ball is located during play. The idea of the game is to roll the ball into the opponents net whilst the rival team try and block the ball from entering the goal in the process. Did you know the game originated in Austria and Germany in the year 1946? It was created to help with rehabilitation for the veterans who become visually impaired in the second world war. The sport has now become part of the Paralympics. The child could pair up with a buddy and partake in running. It’s great exercise and definitely allows you to work up a sweat. There are multiple clubs that provide these adaptations and the buddy’s aim is to allow the child to be able to be matched step for step with them. Their running partner will assist them when an obstacle occurs and even talk to them during the entire route. This kind of activity can help with social skills and allow their confidence to grow. In time, the child may even take a shine to the idea of putting on some trainers and taking to the streets with their buddy. There are competitions and fun runs that take place, and your child can mix with like-minded people as well as receive oodles of support from fellow competitors and even the crowd. Sports for those with Autism An activity that requires coordination and/or social interaction can be highly difficult for those with Autism. They struggle with the ability to communicate with others and the child may also have lowered muscle tone which hinders their overall coordination skills. However, this being said there are sports that can be adapted to those with Autism, and they can in fact help to provide development too. Swimming can help your child develop and flourish with their motor skills but also thrive on the fun that comes with using the foam-based floats too. The sport helps as the movements required to participate are acute and there are competitions which take place too. It’s a great confidence boost for them and even more so when it becomes competitive as the child doesn’t need to interact so much and they can be fairly independent. Despite the noisy environment, bowling is also considered a great activity because it’s consistent and repetitive. Children with this condition love stability and routine. It is a sport that others can be involved in to make up a team, especially with two lanes. There is also a chance to have them compete with others and be a solo player. This is great, especially if they struggle with communication and working with others in a team. Some venue’s host events in the evenings or on weekends, so it could be worth checking it out and seeing if they have adjustments in place. They might even get a turkey (three strikes in a row)! “My social life is friends at the pool, I have just finished school as I am now a full-time athlete.” – Jessica-Jane Applegate (Paralympian Swimmer who was diagnosed with Asperger’s). Your child could be the next Paralympian. The world is their oyster!

If you're looking for an activity that will inspire and encourage your children, through fun challenges based on core values, the Great British Children's Challenge is for you! What is the purpose of the Great British Children's Challenge? “We aim to sweep the UK spreading kindness along with influencing children to make smart choices regarding their health and well being. After learning that only 1 in 5 children aged 5-10 were getting 60 minutes of daily activity we got to work creating our challenges. The mind is a sponge during the primary school years and if learning lifelong habits can become fun and rewarding, then we must strive to create a project that supports just that." What challenges have you created so far? Bake Off Challenge Emergency Heroes Challenge Lockdown Star- Reward Medal Challenge Miles of Smiles - Walk or run 1K or 5K Challenge Wild Walk Explorer Challenge The Big Cycle Challenge An Hour a Day - Read, Write, and Play - Homeschooling Reward Challenge Lockdown 20-20K Challenge Planet Happy Recycling Challenge Poppy Power Challenge Safe at Home - NHS Challenge The Big Smile Challenge The Kindness Counts Awards Chellenge #TrueColours - Kindness Challenge Christmas Elf Yourself Challenge Have you partnered with any organisations for these challenges? The Great British Children's Challenge has associations with various organisations to provide the best for your children. How does it work? Choose a challenge you'd like to join Read what the challenge entails Add your child's details Check out on the website for your medal Get started on the Challenge and complete it! Make some amazing memories in the process The medal will be automatically sent out once your challenge is complete. So go out there and get stuck into a challenge! To find out more, and order your medals click here: https://www.thegreatbritishchildrenschallenge.co.uk/challenges/

“Every child is an artist.” -Picasso A mindless doodle can hold one hundred and one oodles of inspiration. The child can flourish in their cognitive development as well as improve both their social and emotional skills. An A4 sketch pad and a pack of pencils can allow your child to let their imagination run wild. It can create a conversation starter too as the child can explain what their picture is of. They may even demonstrate their feelings, and this aids their social skills. Sometimes, children scribble across the paper until their heart is content and this method can be used to vent their anger or frustration. How does mathematics play a role in terms of sketching? A toddler will understand the use of patterns when drawing and even project their idea onto paper. Mathematics requires an understanding of shapes and sequences. Therefore, this can be applied when drawing specific ideas. For example, a child may draw a robot that is made up of different sized squares, circles and even triangles. A child will understand how the shapes fit together and can create something bigger. Additionally, School curriculum's specify that children will need to learn basic shapes, which can be merged together with simple sketching practice at home! Mathematics also involves the depth and scale of a drawing. A child may wish to draw a horse for example and their mind would need to process the concept that a horse’s head should not be bigger than the body. This is signified as an accurate representation of proportions. It can take a while for them to progress to this standard but with a heap of paper and an endless supply of pencils, it is possible. Practice makes perfect, as they say. How does colouring aid their motor skills? A child will understand how to colour between the lines which aid their hand-eye coordination. It will also improve their cognitive competence and hand-eye coordination too. They need to work out which colour is appropriate for the object they are shading. For example, we associate the sky with being a pale blue colour and in a picture, a child would colour the sky this particular shade. A coloured pencil, wax crayon and even chalk all provide a unique texture. This helps children understand the difference between how a wax crayon feels in comparison to a generic pencil crayon. When a child holds one of these particular items, their motor skills are in full swing, and they can then process how to use each one. For example, a white wax crayon would not show on a sheet of paper; just like chalk would work better on a chalkboard instead of paper. Both of these instances demonstrate how a child mentally processes hand-eye coordination, as well as understanding how to gain the best experience from using colouring tools. How does drawing and colouring help children with learning disabilities? A child who suffers from a learning disability may use drawing and colouring to help express themselves. Especially if they choose to transfer their emotions onto paper and even verbally discuss these with you. Sometimes, those who are on the Autistic Spectrum benefit from storyboards. These can be used to illustrate how the day’s events will take place through visual representations. Also, a child may benefit from sketching and drawing as it can help to channel their thought processes. For those that struggle to express themselves verbally, drawing can truly help express their actual emotions. For example, some children may scribble across the page if they were angry. This creative activity also helps in terms of sensual stimulus, especially for those with Autism. If you're looking for some art activities to try at home why not check out our Ducklings Artists page, which can be found by clicking here, or by typing in https://www.ducklingspreschool.co.uk/artists So, why not pick up a sketch pad, a few pencils and sketch as a family today?

An important skill toddlers need to learn is dressing themselves. You may find that some children will show interest in this daily activity, whereas others will happily receive help and let their parents dress them. But learning to get dressed is a great milestone for children as it builds confidence and independence; it gives them a sense of accomplishment! Along with this, it's great for developing these important skills: Gross motor skills - balance and coordination when putting on clothes Fine motor skills - using small objects such as zips and buttons Cognitive skills - remembering what clothes go where, and understanding different clothes for the weather. Children will also start to learn the names of different clothing items, learn different colours and patterns and may even start to have favourites. Below are some useful tips on helping your children learn how to dress themselves. - Start on a smaller scale Children can start to learn to dress and identify where different clothes belong, by dressing and practising on their toys. Dolls or teddies can be used to dress up in small clothes, which help children understand how clothes fit and where body parts need to go for them to be comfortable and worn correctly. - Find easy and practical clothing When your child is first starting to dress themselves, having easily accessible clothing will help them develop their skills without (hopefully!) being too frustrating for them. This could mean shoes that have velcro fastenings, or jackets with large buttons. Even clothing without fastenings, such as loungewear, will help their learning. These items will be much easier for your child to try with, giving them the confidence to attempt different pieces that require more patience and practice. - Include their interests Finding clothing with your child’s favourite characters or designs will encourage them to want to help with getting dressed, and as an added bonus can help them differentiate between the front and back of clothes. They'll love picking their own clothes to wear, giving them a little boost of confidence and identity. And after all, who doesn't love getting into their favourite outfit whether it's for going out or getting ready for bed!

I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited imagination encircles the world. - Albert Einstein Creativity lives in the heart of every child, and we are all responsible for empowering kids with the tools they need to learn more about themselves and become more confident in their abilities approaching the first years of school! So, parents and teachers need to work with every child to cultivate their imagination throughout their early lives. Every child is different and unique in their own way. For example, one may be interested in painting pictures. Another child may be interested in building things out of Lego blocks, whilst the third child may be drawn to counting and naming different shapes. Each child is talented in their way and should not feel limited by their peers in any way. Instead, we can help embrace each child's unique abilities through activities that involve an aspect of play. A recent study at Harvard Graduate School of Education discovered that educators could find meaningful learning opportunities through engaging in play. Learning through play can advance students' academic and social skills. These skills will allow them to thrive in adulthood and enjoy their childhood now, according to researchers from Project Zero, a research centre at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Moreover, project Zero researchers concluded, "there is a universality to play: children are often more relaxed and engaged during play, and it's enjoyable — all aspects that facilitate learning. But there are also cultural specifications to what play looks like when it's appropriate, and who children play with." From these new highlights, we can take away that creative, relaxing environments make learning more accessible, engaging and fun! Furthermore, these highlights shed light on how creativity is so important to everyone, no matter how small! Below are some ways to get creative with your child by following their creative instincts, whatever they may be! Below are ways to engage your child creatively, depending on their unique interests. If they love singing: If you spot your child always singing repeatedly or bashing objects together to make sounds, then it may be that your child loves music and is a little musician! You can foster their passion and create a new song together about the summer since it's just around the corner! Here are some tips for creating a song with your kids: • Make sure the verses rhyme: Poetry is catchy, and it is proven to help aid learning memory! • Keep the melody and words simple: Children can easily add new words to the song. • Read children's books: They are full rhymes to inspire your child creativity! If they love drawing: If they love drawing, painting, or any other artmaking, it may be that your child loves art and is a little artist! To foster your child's love for art, you can help your child explore their creativity by setting some time out of your day to do a little creative activity with them. For example, you can ask your child to paint what they most love about the summer on a white sheet of paper. Make this activity even more enjoyable by following our suggestions below. Here's what you can use for this activity: • Acrylic paints/ watercolour: They create bright and summery colours! • Coloured tissue paper: Summer colours like pink, yellow, green, and blue are perfect. • Pasta or rice: Adds cool textures to bring your painting to life! • Strips of clothing: You can pick be shiny, silky, soft, or briskly to add exciting patterns. If they love numbers: If you see your child always loves counting objects around and naming shapes, it may be that your child loves maths and is a little mathematician! To foster your child's imagination, you can get your child to embrace their imagination by setting some time in your day to do a little numerical activity. For example, you could get your child to make a giant, colourful castle out of magnet blocks and then naming it! Here are some ways to engage your child during the activity: • Ask questions about the shapes your child can see: This will get your child to think about the smaller blocks forming into bigger shapes. • Ask questions about the colours your child can see: See if your child can identify the colours and name them. • Encourage your child to count the blocks together: Get your child to use their numerical skills to count the blocks together. If they love writing: Do you see your child constantly asking you to read a book for them? Do they show interest in holding pens and scribbling? It may be that your child is a little writer. To encourage and promote your child's love of reading and writing, you can get your child to write a little three verse poem called a Haiku. You can get your child to write a Haiku about what they love about the summer. Here are some ways to engage your child's analytical mind during the activity: • Take a walk with your child and get them to note down everything they can see: This will give them inspiration for their poem • Ask your child their favourite activities about the summer: See what the child comes up with first before giving suggestions •After the child finishes their poem, get them to read it aloud: Children love praise! Give some encouraging feedback. It will grow their writing confidence. Please feel free to comment below on any tips/tricks you use to promote imagination at home!

Looking after our mouths The 17th May - 17th June is National Smile Month. Taking care of our gums and teeth is really important and national smile month brings attention to this. Humans haven't always brushed their teeth - yuck! Looking after our teeth and gums is a part of daily life in 2021 but 40 years ago it wasn’t something people did regularly. These days we are much more educated on caring for our mouths and gums as we do things like brush our teeth and visit the dentist for a check-up. But why do we have to brush our teeth? -When we take a bite of our food, little particles stick to our teeth. This creates a thick layer that we call plaque. -Brushing our teeth gets rid of these food particles but if we don’t brush our teeth we can end up with cavities. -Cavities is the fancy name for when the food particles we haven’t brushed away start to rot our teeth. Dentists can fix cavities but sometimes it could mean your teeth fall out! Did you know the first toothbrush was created in 1857? Unfortunately, there are some people who don’t have the opportunity to practice good oral health. There are many differences in society that stop people from being able to do so. Some reasons people may be unable to practice oral health are: Lack of education Lack of materials Lack of money Mental health conditions Physical health conditions We should all have the right to know how to care for our teeth and gums Who are The Oral Health Foundation? The Oral Health Foundation provides free educational programmes to parents, carers and teachers. Donating to the foundation provides dentist appointments to those who can't access them and the opportunity to continue providing free resources and educational material. Their work has helped over 40, 0000 people suffering from oral health problems. Visit their official website to learn more and to download their free educational material here; https://www.dentalhealth.org/

Learning From the Past Although history might sound like a daunting subject for young learners, the importance of discussing ‘the past’ is invaluable in helping children understand the world. Foundation stage history is a new addition to the national curriculum’s learning objectives to support this very development; introducing children to the concepts of time and change is fundamental in supporting this. Indeed, the September 2021 EYFS framework specifically features ‘past and present’ as a new early learning objective. As young children move into a reception setting, they will be increasingly aware of changes in routine – be that different times of the day or seasons of the year – which affect their day-to-day activities. Recognising, for example, the different types of clothes they wear or events they celebrate throughout the year teaches children the concept of change over time. Encourage these early history skills at home by observing your child’s baby photos with more recent photos of themselves - seeing tangible, physical change will foster comparison and an understanding of ‘then’ and ‘now’. History and development It has been suggested that children aged 3-5 have some embryonic capacity for historical thinking, for example, recognising different interpretations of stories, showing an awareness of time, as well as deductive reasoning (drawing logical conclusions) in informal situations. Early history skills help to nurture curiosity in young children, be sure to ask questions like ‘what do you think?’, ‘what will happen if?’, and ‘why do you think that?’; this allows children to delve beneath the surface level, and places their own experiences at the centre of history. History also serves to inspire, learning about heroic individuals who changed the way we live is a source of inspiration that is sure to ignite your child’s imagination - tell the tale of Harriet Tubman’s escape to freedom and Neil Armstrong’s expedition to the moon! Because history is so diverse, learning about different elements of our past makes for more rounded, well-versed individuals. From inspiring and uplifting, to devastating and immoral, the stories that define our past teach us about joy and suffering; in turn, children will learn to distinguish between right and wrong. This will further enhance their understanding of ‘difference’ as a concept - learning about disparate cultures and peoples is crucial in a modern world where inclusivity is valued, and diversity is celebrated. History at home A great way to encourage young historians at home is by following the life cycle of plants and insects from your garden. Follow the journey from caterpillar to butterfly or tadpole to frog and observe how these creatures change with time. Visit a nearby Abbey or Castle, notice how some historical sites may be in ruins after years of decay. Tell the tale of who lived there and what they did - bring the story to life! If you have a sand area, hide fossils and let your children find them. Hands-on activities are not only stimulating but teach children about artefacts and evidence used in discussions about the past. Encourage your child’s awareness of historical features in your area, this could be a town hall, temple, cathedral - note how some buildings look older than others. Take your children to museums, galleries, and history-themed events. English Heritage has an abundance of fun family activities and events to get young children engaged and excited about history https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/ Get crafty and use scraps of paper and cardboard to make your very own royal crown or medieval knight's helmet, encourage your child to use colours and stick-on jewels to personalise their armour! Resources Follow-along arts and crafts: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/members-area/kids/kids-rule-things-to-make-and-do/ Historical bakes: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/members-area/kids/kids-rule-makes-and-bakes/ The land before time – children will love this vividly illustrated PowerPoint all about dinosaurs and what happened to them: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-29319-what-is-a-dinosaur-powerpoint This activity sheet will help children understand past and present by comparing old, Victorian toys with modern-day toys: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-2566822-old-and-new-toys-sorting-activity

Are you looking for eco-friendly projects ideas? Do you like to upcycle? – Then look no further! A shoebox can provide hours of entertainment and educational value. Next time you think about throwing that shoebox into the recycle bin, why not try one of the following ideas. Pretend Play Ideas: Children love to pretend play. With a few stacked shoeboxes you can build the foundations of a small town. Children can paint the boxes as houses, draw little windows and cut out extra pieces to make the roof. Cardboard cut outs of cars and people can be added to the mix. The child will love to be able to build a town and make their imaginative characters come to life. Their mind develops from stimulation and the ability to learn how the world works through pretend play. The fantasy world doesn’t have to just be a fantasy! You can cut out your child’s favourite superhero, a couple of villains and let them save the town. Rapunzel doesn’t have to be just a fictional character; your child can recreate them and build a castle from a shoebox. Their prince or princess can rescue them and have a happily ever after. The possibilities are endless, just like their imagination. A pull along vehicle that can be made from a shoebox helps a child develop their motor skills. It may even encourage them to walk a little further. Motor vehicles: The child can paint the vehicle and draw on some windows. If the lid is taken off, then the child can put their favourite character inside. If you wish to make the vehicle more of a pull-along, you could pierce a hole, thread some rope and tie a loop for the child to hold onto. Include a few decorations on the vehicle of their choice and away they go. Watch them wander from room to room, their motor vehicle in tow. You could even build on and create a petrol station or a car wash. If your child is quite a car enthusiast, why not make a garage out of a shoebox and draw on all the little tools? For the trainspotters, you could create little platform stands out of shoeboxes and write on improvised station names. With adult supervision, you could loop together multiple boxes and create a carriage. The child can put their favourite teddy bear in or action figure and let them take their treasured toys for a guided tour of your house! A spacecraft or aeroplane: If the child wants to walk the moon and be an astronaut, cut out a wing or two and glue them onto the aircraft. Watch them reach for the stars! Learn to tie laces: With adult supervision, a simple outline of the child’s foot can be drawn and cut out. Once the cardboard pair is done, you can pierce appropriate holes and thread four laces (two for each foot). The child can even decorate it as a proper shoe and draw on their own styles. Watch as they learn from you about which holes to place the lace through and tie that finishing bow! You can even cut out their favourite animal and apply the same method but have multiple-coloured strings to make it a little different. Both of these methods help with their coordination skills. It can also help the child understand the process and sequence of events, as certain strings only thread or tie when another has been successfully threaded or tied. Sensory Shoebox Ideas: You can cut a hand-sized hole in the lid of the shoebox and fill the box with items that stimulate the senses by touch alone. It can include tissue paper, felt, pipe cleaners and soft toys. Sellotape the lid into place and then ask the child to put their hand inside. They can describe what they feel once they touch the item and even use words such as: rough, smooth, soft and hard. You can ask them to remove the item from the box to help them explain it in more detail about the feel of the object. This helps their brain process different textures and can help decipher ones they like and do not like. This is a game in where you can alternate objects in order to keep their mind stimulated too. Let us know in the comments below what you're going to transform your shoebox into!

Did you know that today, the 30th of May is the National Creativity Day? On this day, the big and small celebrate the power of creativity in our world. Creativity lives everywhere – in the hearts of painters, musicians, filmmakers, writers, teachers and even mathematicians! Albert Einstein says, I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination "imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." A recent study at Harvard Graduate School of Education discovered that educators could find meaningful learning opportunities through engaging in play. Learning through play it can advance students' academic and social skills. These skills will allow them to thrive in adulthood and enjoy their childhood now, according to researchers from Project Zero, a research centre at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Project Zero researchers concluded that: "There is a universality to play: children are often more relaxed and engaged during play, and it's enjoyable — all aspects that facilitate learning. But there are also cultural specifications to what play looks like when it's appropriate, and who children play with." From these new highlights we can take away that creative, relaxing environments make learning more accessible, engaging and fun! These highlights shed light on how creativity is so important to everyone, no matter how small! So, on this day, make time to celebrate the power of your kiddo's curious minds, because one day they can change the world! Check out our other article titled "Ways to appeal to your child's unique imagination" for specific recommendations and ideas you can try at home!

A Mums perspective. Living with a very special little boy! When I first started writing this blog, I thought I would tell you what autism is by saying it’s a condition that makes it harder for people on the spectrum to communicate, form relationships, and understand information about the world around them. These are just facts. Facts that you’ll find on the internet. However, nothing actually prepares you for what it's like living with someone with autism. You might have heard this saying before, ‘ if you’ve met one person with autism you’ve met one person with autism’. This is very true, as every person with autism is unique! My son is 5 years old and non-verbal (no form of communication at all) he was also diagnosed with severe learning difficulties...... I could write about the fact that being an autistic mum made me feel lonely and depressed for years, and I could write about how I thought it was only happening to me. I could write about how I looked at him and worried if I die, who's going to take care of him. I could write about the fact I've had hardly any sleep because he wakes up at 3 am smearing his faeces all over the room. I could write about the play centres we can never go to because there are too many noises and things going on, that he’ll struggle to process it all. I could write about the fact we get name called and stared at in the supermarket, just doing normal everyday things. I could write about the never-ending appointments or the fact I will probably never hear him talk and it hurts. I could write that Autism has robbed us of milestones and special moments I could write that I've grieved for the little boy that I dreamed about when I was pregnant. What I will write I never knew how much I took the littlest things for granted till he was born and how the littlest milestones end up the biggest ones for us and that my boy is so much more than a diagnosis and I still see the ability rather than the label and they support out there and that true love needs no words and I wouldn’t have my world any other way! Autism is like the galaxy; you could look at it and say: "that's a cold empty void". But when you look closer and get to know it you realise it's full of majestic stars, wonders & mystery For more support, please check out https://www.autism.org.uk/

Poor dental health affects more than just your child’s teeth; along with the pain it can cause, it also impacts their overall wellbeing, learning and social interactions. A quarter of five-year-olds suffer from tooth decay. It can sometimes be frustrating and even quite the challenge to get children to brush their teeth! But we all know how important dental health and hygiene is, which is why promoting this from an early age can form the habit and prevent future problems. Dental problems that are left alone and untreated can mean time off nursery/school and have an impact on the early years' development that is so important for your child. Working toward a good understanding of caring for teeth will greatly benefit children, so how can we encourage this habit? Explain the importance of teeth brushing and dental health to your child, there are books you could read together or popular children’s cartoons that visit the dentist. Get your child to look at their teeth in a mirror and familiarise themselves with their teeth. Teach them how important it is to keep them clean and healthy. Create a visual example for children by taking some pebbles or small world toys and covering them in glitter (wet the objects first for an extra stick!) Encourage your child to use a toothbrush and water to brush away all the glitter like how they would their teeth. Set a two-minute timer and brush, brush, brush! Make it a routine for morning and evening, twice a day without fail, to ensure their teeth are well looked after consistently. Lead by example; brush alongside your child with the timer to encourage the full two minutes of brushing. Show them how you brush your teeth, making sure that they’re cleaned well- remember the glitter on the pebbles? That was hard work and our teeth need the same care and attention to keep them healthy. Develop the habit early and show off your smiles! The NHS has stated; It's important to use fluoride toothpaste, as this helps prevent and control tooth decay. Children aged up to 3 years Start brushing your baby's teeth as soon as the first milk tooth breaks through (usually at around 6 months, but it can be earlier or later). Parents or carers should brush or supervise toothbrushing. Brush teeth twice daily for about 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste. Brush last thing at night before bed and on 1 other occasion. Use children's fluoride toothpaste containing no less than 1,000ppm of fluoride (check label) or family toothpaste containing between 1,350ppm and 1,500ppm fluoride. Use only a smear of toothpaste. Make sure children don't eat or lick toothpaste from the tube. Children aged 3 to 6 years Brush at least twice daily for about 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste. Brush last thing at night before bed and at least on 1 other occasion. Brushing should be supervised by a parent or carer. Use children's fluoride toothpaste containing no less than 1,000ppm of fluoride (check label) or family toothpaste containing between 1,350ppm and 1,500ppm fluoride. Use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Spit out after brushing and don't rinse – if you rinse, the fluoride won't work as well. Children aged 7 and over Brush at least twice daily for about 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste. Brush last thing at night before bed and at least on 1 other occasion. Use fluoride toothpaste containing between 1,350ppm and 1,500ppm of fluoride (check label). Spit out after brushing and don't rinse – if you rinse, the fluoride won't work as well. Children aged 7 and over should be able to brush their own teeth, but it's still a good idea to watch them making sure they brush properly and for about 2 minutes. For more information and fantastic advice, please check the NHS website here by clicking here.

Encouraging your child to help in the kitchen at a young age is beneficial for their development. Cooking is a life skill that they will use for the rest of their life, so it’s important to get them started on the right track. There are many benefits when it comes to getting early years involved in the kitchen as it encourages: Fine motor skills Problem-solving skills Self-dependency Confidence And reduces Eating disorders Picky Eaters Your little chef will often be happy to be involved in the kitchen but they can have a short attention span and need a lot of help. Being hesitant about children in the kitchen is normal and it’s near enough impossible to avoid any mishaps but with these tips below and a little pinch of patience, introducing your little one into the kitchen should be a whole lot smoother. Here are our 5 tips on encouraging your child in the kitchen 1. Risks and dangers Cooking is a completely new experience for children so they are unaware of any dangers. Explain any potential risks that could happen in the kitchen. Even if you’re not planning on having your child near any danger, it’s useful to teach them these skills as they can help prevent accidents. A great way to teach your child about risks in the kitchen is to give them a guided tour. 2. Food safety Allergies are extremely common and many children and adults can have severe reactions. Therefore children need to understand the importance of avoiding cross-contamination. Adults understand that if we use a knife to cut raw chicken, that same knife then can’t be used again, as this can make us sick. Providing different coloured chopping boards and utensils (Following the universal food safety colouring system) can help encourage food safety in a fun and colourful way. 3. Make it fun Children are interested and ready to get stuck at the start but they can get distracted easily. A recipe that takes 10 minutes can quickly become 30 minutes and if the recipe is too hard they may struggle and become discouraged. Finding a recipe that is age-appropriate and non-time-consuming is an essential factor in keeping your child engaged. Fun shaped fruit and vegetable cutters and animal food sticks can be a great addition for making any plate fun and interesting. Try creating animals or characters or try making faces on your pizza. Visually pleasing plates help engage and encourage children and reduce picky eating. 4. Have a Plan Having a plan helps avoid stressful situations. Young children can only complete certain activities such as washing vegetables, stirring and mashing. Knowing your child’s capability and limits is important. Read over your chosen recipe before starting and understand what needs to happen at each step. Your focus will be on your child and helping them, so it’s useful to have your ingredients and equipment organised and planned beforehand. 5. Factor in learning While your child is practising their cooking skills encourage them to learn. There are many different aspects of learning that can be taught in the kitchen One great way to factor learning into your cooking session is to start talking! Speaking out loud is proven to aid your child’s language development and boost their confidence and self-independence. While handling fruits and vegetables, meat or dairy products try explaining the journey it may have taken to get to our plates. Patience is key while your child learns and make mistakes as they discover the world of cooking Please share your yummy creations with us in the comments below!

Today, Let's learn about why eggs can help brain development in children. Eggs are cheap, easy to cook and loaded with nutrients that are said to help children develop their intelligence and awareness. The ‘superfood ’ contains many nutrients, such as, choline, vitamin B12, selenium and protein, which can all help with the brain development and cognitive function of a child. Choline, in particular, has shown in many studies that it can help towards a child’s ability to learn, think, reason, remember, solve problems, make decisions and remain attentive. A large hard-boiled egg has about 147 mg of choline. According to Vincent Iannelli, a certified paediatrician for over 20 years, the recommended intake for children is: 150 mg daily = 7 months to 1 year 200 mg daily = 1 to 3 years 250 mg daily = 4 to 8 years So, one or two eggs a day will meet the recommended choline requirement for younger children. According to NHS, the best way to have eggs is either boiled or poached. Basically, frying eggs add 50% extra fat so even if you decide to scramble, it would probably be better to keep the oil to a minimum. Things to look out for: Free-range and organic eggs are the most healthy Check the best before date (usually, eggs have a shelf life of 28 days) Always make sure the yolk is cooked all the way through to avoid any food poisoning risks Speaking of risks, it’s important to note the downside that is always associated with eggs, which is cholesterol. Long story short, if your child is healthy and isn’t under any special cholesterol-based diet provided by a doctor, eggs are safe to consume. The NHS say: “If a GP or health professional has told you to watch your cholesterol levels, your priority should be to cut down on saturated fat across your diet. If you are eating a balanced diet, you only need to cut down on eggs if you have been told to do so by a GP or dietitian.” To learn more about egg nutrition visit - https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/eggs-nutrition/