Make learning sounds fun with a phonic bean bag toss. What kid doesn’t like throwing bean bags about? This learning activity is a collaboration between tossing beanbags and smashing down phonics – literally. Along with the sounds, your child will also be practising a multitude of other skills. All with the throw of a bean…
Taste safe sand can be used in so many meaningful play experiences! There are so many benefits associated with sensory play. Taste safe sand is perfect to use for so many different activities for babies and toddlers to access opportunities to support their growth and development. Not only do kids love playing in this sand,…
Taste safe mud is a must have sensory play experience. While I am all up for a good splash about in the real deal, being able to provide a taste safe option for mouthing babies and toddlers is a good compromise for play at home. There are so many learning benefits associated with sensory play….
In recent years, there has been a shift back to classic wooden toys such as those of generations before us. With all the technological advances of today, why are parents choosing to go with old school toys? Simply, because they are better. Why Wooden Toys are Better Parents are often faced with the difficult decision…
Most people are unaware of cause and effect learning. It’s a cognitive process that helps infants make sense of the world, which is why it’s so important. Our little people are going to make their mark on this world. In some form or another, their actions are going to have an effect on other people,…
Valuable toddler activities that can really can make a difference to your child’s development include strengthening fine motor skills with pegs! One of the biggest issues educators are seeing with kids entering kindy is their lack of fine motor skills. This in turn, presents challenges when it comes to handwriting, cutting with scissors, tying shoes…
It has long been known that reading to our children offers so much more than just entertainment. Laying back with your child has been proven to improve their cognitive development, speech and language skills, and creativity. Furthermore, reading to your child not only opens up their world and awareness of endless possibilities but allows powerful…
Watching our little ones growing up is such a rewarding experience. They discover through experiences, practise new skills and love to learn. Growing up is so much fun! In saying that…. why do they need to grow up so fast!? Nature Snipping with Your Toddler Miss 23 months was watching her sister cut up some…
One of our favourite authors is Julia Donaldson. Christmas 2016 bought our now long time favourite ‘Stickman’ into our little library as an introduction to one of our cherished English authors. With a poetic flow, the words almost dance with rhyme and repetition – two very attractive features for young children. When choosing a book…
Learning how to count is such an important math skill. We use numbers in some way or form every day. Putting our well rehearsed numbers into context will help deepen our children’s understanding of their value. To do this, Miss 4 and I created our very own little game. How to Play To play the…
Both of my girls have been, well still are, nature hoarders. They will find, pick up and cherish rocks and gumnuts. Along with these they will also collect leaves, sticks, bits of mulch, snail shells, snails themselves and all sorts! My car, pram and handbag are never free of some type of organic matter of…
“Sharing is caring” Yes, this is true however it is also a learned skill that our toddlers need to develop over time. What is more important than teaching your toddler to share? Developmentally an average child should not be expected to share, understanding what it truly means until they are pre-school age. Rather than focusing…
I’m all for generational, long lasting toys. This morning I asked Miss 4 what type of activities she felt like enjoying today. When she mentioned she would like to build, Lego was a must! DIY Lego Maze Both Mr 10 and Miss 4 love their Lego. It is always on their wish lists and it…
Learning letters and numbers doesn’t have to be all text books and flash cards. Your child certainly doesn’t need a pencil in hand to begin to build up skills that will assist them in their handwriting journey either! Allow them to begin this journey with some fine motor fun! With this in mind, we set…
We are celebrating all things farming in our play this week. To kick start off the week we did a milking cows activity! There are so many different learning opportunities when it comes to exploring farms. With such diverse related topics, farm theme play appeals to so many kids. Whether it is the machinery, animals,…
Standing in kitchen this afternoon, I was watching the girls playing nicely but I could see that we were about to hit THAT time of day. Seams were beginning to come undone. We need a sensory small world. The dreaded witching hour… haha… an hour. Oh that’s funny… Between approximately 2pm and 6pm each afternoon…
It’s that nerve wracking time for many parents. Enrolments into Kindy have been completed. Now it’s the waiting game until the beginning of the next school year. Such a bittersweet isn’t it? Getting your child ready for kindy Getting their children ‘ready’ for their first day of formal schooling is a topic that has been…
(Written November 2016) I love my daughter, I really do however the last few months I have wondered if perhaps she has been possessed or had a body swap with a non human being of some type. Thats right, I have a three year old. How to survive a three year old At first I…
Our ‘Out of this World’ play theme for the week has taken us to planets, stars and the moon. This morning we toyed with the idea of a balloon alien! Miss 4s eyes were wide when I explained that some people do believe that there are people who come from other planets and there are…
Pom Poms are such a versatile little item. They are great for sensory play, crafts, counting, colour recognition, teaching spatial awareness, sorting activities and so much more! Today I thought we needed to get back to basics and ground ourselves with some simple play. Miss 19 months hasn’t been feeling very well with a nasty…
