Does your child struggle to make friends? Sure, they can hold their own in a conversation, but they’re not really someone who seeks out other kids to talk to, and they’re definitely not a ‘social butterfly’. Of course, they don’t have to be! But right now you’re getting a little concerned over the way they interact with the world because you want them to be able to face it with confidence and a friend or two by their side. After all, making friends is a big part of life, and knowing how to do so is an essential skill to develop as you grow. We all need to have people who love and accept and understand us in our lives, and making friends at a young age teaches you the necessary social skills, such as empathy and confidence, to carry you through other phases in life with little social difficulty. But what do you need to do now? How can you help your child to seek out friendly relationships with other kids? It doesn’t have to be a complicated process. The first thing to do is understand why Maybe your child just seems to prefer their own company? Or maybe they’ve made quite a few friends but seem to fall out with all of them? Either way, you’re worried about their social skills, and how you can encourage them to seek out friendly relationships with their peers. Most of all, you don’t ever want them to feel left out or lonely. You might know just how damaging these emotions can be, and you don’t want your child to feel them as they grow and develop. So be sure to spend some time with your child when they’re around others. Maybe take a day at preschool with them, or invite a friend and their child around, and watch the way your child interacts with other kids their age. What do you notice? Are they louder or quieter than usual, such as when they’re at home with you? Do they even ignore attempts at other kids to include them? No matter what you see during these moments, you can then use the evidence to fuel the way you encourage your child later on. You know the kind of help your child needs, and you know what you’re dealing with now! Lead by example, Kids copy what they see around them; you probably hate your child watching cartoons that depict characters being naughty because then your little one starts acting in a similar way! And that’s because kids like to emulate behaviours, because it’s been 'modeled’ for them, and anyone under the age of 15/16 will be looking for these answers from the world around them. And with all of this in mind, you might want to lead by example here. Invite a friend over, or head out to a book club or pottery class once a week. Your child will take notice of how social you are, and they might want to either come along with you or start to display the same behaviour in the classroom and on the playground. Set up a Playdate As mentioned above, inviting another child of a similar age around can really help your child to meet their peers on a one to one level, in a comfortable and familiar environment. They’re in their own home and have their own toys to play with, and that can help to foster confidence. After all, your child knows where everything is, they know what the rules are, and they know you’re nearby. A few play dates here and there can make a big difference in the way your child makes friends. It can really help them to step outside of themselves, and learn to use their voice if they’re someone who gets anxious when they’re in a crowded place like a preschool or a classroom. And every kid loves it when a friend comes round after school! It’s fun, there’s a sense of freedom, and the kids can hang out as long as they want. Talk to your child It’s the simplest answer to this problem, and yet it’s one of the hardest ones on this list to accomplish! Talking to your little one about why they don’t like to talk to other kids, or even just asking them if they’ve made any new friends, can be met with grunts, shrugs, tears, and total silence. And this can lead you to believe that something bad is going on. You can start to think that maybe your child is being bullied or has been picked on, and that’s certainly something to consider. But it’s not always the case. Maybe your child is just a bit shy and requires encouragement, or maybe they’ve had a bad experience in the past and need a bit of one to one attention to help them get over it. Either way, talking to them in a calm manner on their level, can get them to open up and feel like you’re on their side. Why not tell them about your own experiences at their age? Above all else, make sure they know that other kids would love to be friends with them!

Is your child a fussy eater? Maybe they’re never managing to clear their plate at mealtimes, or they refuse to try new foods, or maybe they just eat foods of a certain colour? Hey, these are all little quirks kids can show when they are in their early developmental stages, and often they’ll grow out of these food behaviours as soon as they adopt them. But before that manages to happen, you’re probably becoming very frustrated with meal times! You want something to change, but you’re not quite sure how to make it happen. And as the person who loves them most in the world, you’re also probably a bit worried about your child’s dietary habits. Should I worry about my child’s fussy eating? According to official advice from the NHS, your toddler is a fussy eater is nothing to worry about. It’s normal for kids to turn their nose up at certain foods, and absolutely love chowing down on one food over another - they’re little humans with their own preferences, just like us! As long as your child has energy, is active, and is clearly gaining weight normal for their age, their eating habits are just fine. (Of course, it’s always best to check with a doctor before you write off any serious food worries, just to be sure.) However, if you’d really like your child to vary in their dietary habits a little more, you don’t have to stay frustrated. You can introduce new foods to them slowly over time, and we’ve got a bit of advice below to make sure they don’t spit it all back out! To start with, you can check out our guide on sneaking more veggies onto your child’s plate right here! Make ‘healthy’ snacks the norm If you want your child to eat more foods, and specific foods that are good for them, make ‘healthy’ snacks the norm around the house. It’s alright for your child to have something sweet and a little bit naughty every now and then, but these should be rare treats that always follow on from a healthy snack or meal beforehand. Try to remove sweets and biscuits and cakes from out of easy reach, and put fruits and nuts and grain bars around instead. Make these snacks bite-size and easy to eat, so your child doesn’t turn their nose up at the size or texture of the foods either. Even making small, yummy smoothies with Blueberries, or Raspberries and Blackberries can work a treat, and they’re incredibly easy to make if you keep these ingredients diced, frozen and ready to go! Add plenty of flavours Thanks to their difference in taste buds, your child experiences the flavour palette in a much more sensitive way than you do. We all know kids tend to have a bit of a sweet tooth, and you can blame that fact on the greater amount of sweet receptors they have compared to us! However, this also means children are generally much more sensitive to ‘yucky’ flavours as well, specifically things that taste bitter. It’s why a baby’s face screws up so dramatically when they try a citrus fruit for the first time, and it’s probably one of the main reasons why your child hates having to eat their broccoli! And that means it’s important to try and mask these bitter flavours as much as possible. Cooking with spices, for example, is a great way to help your child learn to love the taste of the greens on their plate. Even just with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, and then roasting broccoli in the oven instead of boiling it, can work wonders on your child’s perception of their veggies. Set an example! If the kids have to eat carrot sticks and grapes whenever they want a snack, but the ice cream in the freezer is steadily wearing down thanks to your late-night TV marathons, your little one might start to suspect something… And if they catch you out in a lie about the foods they have to eat, they’re going to continue turning their noses up at the different food you’re trying to get them to eat. So, following on from the point about making ‘healthy’ snacks the norm for your kids, make sure you join in too. Kids learn the most from copying those around them, and as their parents, you set the most important example of all! Eat these foods alongside your child, and be sure to talk about just how much you enjoy the tastes in front of them. Kids tend to have taste expectations about the foods in front of them, and if you like what you’re eating, they’re much more likely to as well.

Music has always been a powerful tool with observable benefits to a child's development. The more music introduced to children from a young age, the more likely they are to want to start learning and playing an instrument. Playing music significantly benefits a child as they grow, as it is one of the most practical and enjoyable ways they can develop the way their mind and body works together; improving hand-eye coordination and focus as well as becoming an expressive outlet as they get older. With that said, there are a wide range and variety of instruments out there, so it can be difficult to choose one that is suited to your child in order to ease them into learning to play music. There are however a few that have proven to be very popular choices. Firstly, they are the perfect entry instrument to start learning as they are easy to play! Your child can sit at a piano, hit a key and thus play a note instantly, accelerating the early learning process and enjoyment they get out of the instrument as they can start to learn how to play from day one, rather than having to learn certain techniques first before being able to play anything, as is the case for playing a note correctly on a flute, or having to be aware of tuning, as is the case for a guitar and other stringed instruments. Moreover, a digital piano or keyboard is a great starting point for developing your child's knowledge of scales and music theory, which can then be later applied to other instruments For example, by simply identifying one key as 'C', a child can play the next 7 white keys one after the other, which would mean they have just played a scale! In summary, I believe that a digital piano or keyboard are the best instruments to ease your child into the fulfilling journey of learning to play music, as well as being an undemanding way for your child to learn the basic theory that can then be developed and applied to other instruments. The longer a child learns and plays an instrument, the more their patience, general commitment and concentration will improve, so it is well worth keeping your child motivated to continue learning! One of the easiest ways is to have music playing in the background at home or in the car every now and then, specifically music that appears to resonate with the child. This can be a powerful motivational tool as it will likely encourage your child to try and emulate what they are listening to, as well as maintain their interest in music. Another way to keep your child motivated to continue to learn their musical instrument is to identify a good music teacher that can teach effectively while keeping it fun and exciting. One great benefit of this is it will allow your child to learn on a real and professional piano! Some teachers do allow the parent to sit in and watch the lesson, so it is always worth asking if you can watch the first few lessons to see for yourself if it is practical and your child is having fun. Finally, it is important to let your child decide what instrument(s) they want to learn next as they grow older. For example, a child who started learning how to play music on a keyboard at age 5 may wish to learn how to play the guitar as they reach age 10. They will be able to use what they've already learned from playing the keyboard but will now be able to apply it to an instrument they would have more fun playing, meaning they will be more inspired to play and continue to learn! Some links https://www.gear4music.com/Keyboards-and-Pianos/MK-1000-54-Key-Portable-Keyboard-by-Gear4music/UT5 https://www.argos.co.uk/product/7333639

Staycation is a big buzzword at the moment. With so much uncertainty about travelling internationally again, it’s all about staying in the UK and making the most of what our country has to offer, and even if international travel will be possible this year, a UK staycation can still offer so much. 1. Devon Devon is a frequent hit for families the UK over, with its bustling activities and picturesque harbour to beautiful sandy beaches, as well as a large array of choices of hotels and restaurants. There is an impressive range of opportunities for families to explore, from museums and boat trips to attractions like Dinosaur World. Beautiful towns and villages in Devon - Clovelly - Lynton and Lynmouth - Dartmouth - Dittisham. Photo credits: https://unsplash.com/@l_tripp 2. Cornwall Cornwall is known for being one of the hottest counties in the UK during the summer and is a popular destination too due to its lovely long sandy beaches. It is renowned also for its exquisite Cornish pasties and top-notch quality ice cream and clotted creams. If you love food why not give Cornwall a go this summer? Beautiful towns and villages in Cornwall - Port Isaac - Looe - Fowey - Charlestown - Megavissey - Mousehole - Polperro. Photo credits: https://unsplash.com/@gregwillson 3. Lake District The lakes district is one of the most naturally beautiful areas in the UK. It is very well known for its idyllic rolling countryside, cosy cottages and countless lakes. With plenty of available activities such as boat rides, kayaking and perfect picnic spots, this is a place hard to ignore, due to its striking scenery and pure fresh air. Beautiful towns and villages in the Lake District - Ambleside - Grasmere - Cartmel - Keswick - Hawkshead. Photo credits: https://unsplash.com/@egems_ltd 4. Peak District The Peak District is the Uk oldest national park and is a perfect place for family-friendly walks. It is also famous for its impressive limestone valleys and moorland plateaus. Dovedale Stepping Stones (and Thorpe Cloude), Padley Gorge and Stanton Moor are all easy Peak District walks and the views of the surrounding rolling hills are truly spectacular. Beautiful towns and villages in the Peak District - Ashford-in-the-Water - Bakewell - Alstonefield - Castleton - Edale - Tissington. Photo credits: https://unsplash.com/@demidroid 5. Yorkshire There are endless choices in Yorkshire for families. Visit the historic city of York, quick and easy to get about, being compact and easy to visit major attractions on foot. Take the child-friendly tour of York minster and walk along the ancient medieval walls. Or you can take a trip to the Yorkshire Dales to climb to the top of the famous Malham Cove known for featuring in the Harry Potter movies. Beautiful towns and villages in Yorkshire - Hutton-le-Hole - Thornton-le-Dale - Middleham - Kettlewell - Grassington - Staithes - Whitby. Photo credits: https://unsplash.com/@davelowephoto Let us know in the comments below your recommendations!

A Better Bolognaise When it comes to pleasing children at mealtimes, you cannot often go wrong with serving up a spaghetti bolognaise. However, by tweaking the classic recipe we can do even better, providing children (and ourselves) with a healthier, and more sustainable option. It is essential that children get to grips with understanding the importance of making informed food choices - for both their tummies and the environment! This dish is one that they can get involved in cooking or sourcing the ingredients for. In the day prior to cooking dinner, a trip to your local farm, butcher, or even farm shop could be an interactive way of educating children on the importance of buying local produce, or how food is grown. You can find your local farm shop here: https://www.farminguk.com/farm-shops-map Perhaps it would be naïve to suggest that trips to the farm or cooking with children is always possible – sometimes we just want to get affordable food on the table fuss-free! Still, the recipe below is worth trying. Even when sourcing the ingredients and cooking in your own way, by following the recipe below you can seriously reduce the carbon footprint of a classic (beef) bolognaise. Granted, this dish may not be eco perfection, but it is definitely friendlier. It is a realistic way to do better for the environment; if we all took small, easy steps by just cutting meat intake, the impact could be great! As well the environmental perks, this dish is perfect for sneaking in extra veggies on those days where vegetables definitely need to be hidden! To the recipe you could add grated courgette or other vegetables – children (if not involved in the cooking) would never know! Ingredients 2 cloves of garlic 1 onion 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary olive oil 200g Quorn 200g pork mince 200g grated carrots 200 ml veg or chicken stock 1 x 280 g jar of sun-dried tomatoes 2 x 400 g tins of chopped plum tomatoes 500 g dried spaghetti Parmesan cheese extra virgin olive oil Method Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4. Peel and finely chop the garlic and onions, pick and finely chop the rosemary. Heat a splash of oil in a casserole pan on medium heat, add the rosemary, garlic and onion and cook for 5 minutes, or until softened, stirring occasionally. Add the pork mince, breaking it apart with the back of a spoon, then cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until starting to brown. Then add the grated carrot, Quorn and stock. Leave to bubble and cook away. Meanwhile, drain and tip the sun-dried tomatoes into a food processor and blitz to a paste. Add these, along with the tinned tomatoes to the pan. Stir well, breaking up the tomatoes. Cover with a lid then places in the oven for 1 hour, removing the lid and giving it a stir after 30 minutes – if it looks a little dry at this stage, adds a splash of water. About 10 minutes before the time is up, cook the spaghetti in boiling salted water according to the packet instructions. Once the spaghetti is cooked, drain, then return to the pan with a few spoons of Bolognese, a grating of Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil.

Pets can be great animal companions for people of any age. They are often there when you need a shoulder to cry on or feel like giving and receiving attention without the commitment of a drawn-out conversation. They can also be the best naptime partners and secret keepers. However, children have an extra benefit when it comes to pets. According to Rost and Hartmann (1994), pets can teach children valuable lessons about affection, compassion, and unconditional love. This is because, with the passage of time, children stop seeing the animal as an odd but fun entity to play with, and instead begin to perceive their pet as a beloved family member who is just as important as their parents and siblings. One way to really ensure a proper bond between your child and any future pet is to evaluate both the needs and personalities of different animals. For example, if your child is active and loves to go outside, they may see dog-walking as a fun activity to participate in! However, if your child prefers to stay indoors and may not be motivated to change that aspect of themselves to dog-walk a few times a day, a dog may not be the best choice for them, since the dog’s needs may not be met. Also, every pet is unique! It’s important to ensure that the pet and child’s personalities mesh well. For example, a child who loves physical activities and play styles may match better with a cat that is also energetic and playful, rather than one that prefers to nap all day. In contrast, a child who likes mindful activities and dislikes moving around too much may not be in the mood to engage with a bouncy cat and would much rather have a stationary pillow of fur to pet as desired. In any case, it is quite important to monitor your child and pet in the early stages, so that you may inform your children if they unintentionally do something that could upset or agitate the pet. It’s important to be patient with both child and pet during this process! In conclusion, the key to finding the perfect pet for your child is to research different animals’ daily needs and individual personality traits, and match what you best think your child will jive with. You may just find that you’ve created an inseparable bond between human and animal! If you're looking to adopt an animal then please feel free to check out: The RSPCA: https://www.rspca.org.uk/findapet/rehomeapet or the DogsTrust https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/ If you have any recommendations, please do leave them in the comment section below. References: Rost, D. H., & Hartmann, A. H. (1994). Children and their pets. Anthrozoös, 7(4), 242-254. https://doi.org/10.2752/089279394787001709

Depending on their age, children can find it very hard to express themselves. They just don’t have the experience with their emotions that you do, and they just can’t find the words necessary to tell you what’s wrong from time to time. And this can lead to a real communication issue; floods of tears, poorly tummies and restless nights, and there’s you as a parent tearing your hair out over how to help your child! But there are many good ways to get through to your little one, and one of the best is via the use of arts and crafts. And kids usually love getting stuck into finger painting or learning how to use a paintbrush! After all, kids can draw how they feel through pictures that actually make sense to them, or they can make a big mess that represents the anger or frustration they may be experiencing. And let’s face it, art is often a lot easier to interpret at this age compared to a contemporary piece you’d find in an art gallery, so your child’s artistic ability is of a lot of help to you as well! The benefits of art for kids There are many benefits to allowing children to experiment with their creativity. Most of all, arts and crafts materials are incredibly accessible to children, simply because they’re easy to use and there are literally no rules! You can encourage them to let loose, and express themselves using art materials even as simple as a set of crayons. And kids tend to respond well to being able to make a mess using all manner of sparkly pens, glitter, pipe cleaners and glue, and it can be a great way to really help to relax them as they open up. The colours and textures involved in using these materials make for a great sensory activity that draws their attention and helps to develop their visual communication skills. It’s a safe way to experiment with their emotions Another big reason why art helps a child express themselves is thanks to how safe the medium is. There’s very little chance your child could get hurt while painting a picture or colouring in a book, and they’re far less likely to throw a tantrum during the activity, compared to trying to participate in a sit-down talk with you. We all know that our emotions can get messy, and they can lead to us saying silly things or hurting others, but with art, you can help your child channel how they feel into something creative and productive. It’s a good way to show them how to deal with what they’re feeling in a healthy manner and sets a good example for the future. It’s also super fun! And that’s why kids respond so well in the first place. Art is one of the best ways to allow your child to have fun, thanks to just how creative they can get. Even just throwing a bit of paint around can help your child to get their emotions out, and make them laugh again after a day or two of heavy tears and a frowny face. And the fun part of making art is incredibly important. We don’t want our kids to feel like emotions are scary, or that they can’t talk about the way they feel with you. Kids need to know that their feelings aren't something to bottle up or be afraid of, and when there’s a piece of paper and some paint pots, or jars of Play-Doh in front of them, your child immediately understands they’re in for a fun afternoon! Ducklings also has a great DIY Play-Doh recipe to try at home, which can be found at: https://www.ducklingspreschool.co.uk/artists Art activities to try with your child Art can be very easy to make using just simple household items. Have a dig through your kitchen drawers or your office desk to find the necessary items to try out the art activities below! Make some Salt Dough If you don’t have any dough in the house already that your child can use to make models, you can easily make some Salt Dough of your own with them. Kids will love learning about the process! As long as you have some plain flour, salt, and water from the tap available, you can get this recipe done in about 10 to 20 minutes. Pass the pen This is a great way to bond with your child over the creation of art and is usually a good way to get your child to open up about why they’re drawing certain shapes, or using certain colours. Take a pen and let your child draw something, say for about 10 seconds, and then have them pass the pen to you and you draw for 10 seconds. Repeat until you’re both happy with the picture you’ve created together! Straw blow painting This is a very fun activity that kids of all ages will love to do. If you’ve got some straws in the house, and you’ve got some runny paint or watercolours on hand, you can have a laugh and a giggle together overblowing the paint in different directions to create big, messy, and colourful pictures! So, if you’ve got some paper and pens in the house, let your child have a go with creating art of their own, and check out some of the benefits for yourself. Let us know in the comments which activities you tried at home and loved! If you're looking for more ideas too please check out https://www.ducklingspreschool.co.uk/artists also.

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/