What have you got planned this summer? I know it’s hard to juggle everything around work and it can feel quite daunting but summertime is a perfect time for children to experience boredom, forcing them to be creative. It's a time to follow interests, discover new passions, and experiment. But even the most self-entertaining child sometimes runs out of ideas, so here are some ideas they can add to their summer checklist. 1. Explore outside. Being outside in nature is important for all ...
Thoughts and happenings
I can’t remember the last time
I can’t remember the last time I got him dressed I cut his food We shared a bath He held my hand in public He kissed me at the school gates He wanted to dress up as a superhero I had to reassure him Captain Hook wasn’t knocking at his window He spoke of fairies and gnomes He cried when he fell I can’t remember the last time ❤️ ...
Working Nights – Tips to help you survive
Working night shifts can be disorienting and upsetting, especially at the beginning. These tips can help with the adjustment process. You don’t need a science degree to figure out that people need sleep. But countless research points to the same conclusion: insufficient sleep can cause a wide range of physical and mental health problems, from poor judgment to depression to heart disease. And ideally, humans should get the sleep they need at night and stay active during the day. 1. Develop a ...
10 reasons to get children involved in gardening
We have all heard that being outside in the fresh air has amazing health benefits. We have also heard that planting flowers can be therapeutic. But did you know that gardening has amazing developmental benefits for children? Here are ten amazing reasons to get children gardening; Engages All the Senses Children learn best when engaging all their senses. With gardening, kids can touch and feel the dirt (the bit they enjoy the most), seeds and flowers, see the vibrant colors and varied ...
10 ways natural playgrounds help benefit children’s development
Playgrounds aren’t just about entertainment – they’re a key part of a child’s development. From confronting danger with climbing structures to social skills garnered by interaction in a play environment, playing outside helps children grow. Natural playgrounds and adventure playgrounds, built using wood, stone, sand and water, are a growing trend thanks to their sustainability and their suitability in a wide variety of landscapes. Put simply, they blend more seamlessly into different ...
A small window in time – let them play
The statement in the above picture is one I often think about. It was written by Magda Gerber who was an early childhood educator in the United States and is known for teaching parents and children. When you have children you pretty much presume they will pick a book up and in time the words will click together and with support from you and teachers, reading will come naturally, like walking and talking. Sometimes it doesn’t, sometimes things happen to make it more difficult than that. In our ...