1 June 2026
Welcome to an exciting adventure beneath the waves! In this lesson plan specially designed for World Ocean Day, we’ll embark on a journey to explore the vast and mysterious world […]
Child development refers to the process of growth, maturation, and change that occurs in children from birth through adolescence. It encompasses various aspects of a child’s physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioural development. Child development is influenced by both genetic factors and environmental experiences, including interactions with caregivers, family, peers, and the broader social and cultural context.
16 September 2025
Educational and Fun Toddler Activities Under 3: Creative Play for Early Learning Engaging your child with toddler activities under 3 is essential for their development. These early years are a […]
10 September 2025
How to Teach Respect to Children: Practical Tips for Parents of Toddlers, Tweens, and Teens Respect is one of the most important qualities we want to nurture in our children. […]
18 August 2025
10 Ways to Calm Down Preschoolers Preschoolers are naturally curious, energetic, and constantly exploring their world. But sometimes all this stimulation can become too much, leaving them upset, restless, or […]
15 August 2025
Positive Parenting Phrases That Change Behaviour The words we use with our children matter. Research in child development shows that language shapes behaviour—not just in the moment, but in how […]
10 August 2025
When summer holidays arrive, it’s tempting to let the days unfold without a plan. But if you’re parenting a preschooler, you already know how quickly unstructured days can turn into […]
9 August 2025
5 Ways to Build Early Reading Confidence at Home Reading confidence doesn’t start with books—it starts with connection, conversation, and consistency. Before children can decode words or sound out sentences, […]
8 August 2025
What To Do When Your Toddler Won’t Sit Still for a Story Toddler won’t sit still for a story? You’re not alone—and this isn’t a failure, it’s simply normal. As […]
7 August 2025
Back to School Prep: What Every Parent Needs for Reception Class Reception Class Preparation Made Simple Starting in Reception class is a major milestone for both children and parents. It’s […]
10 May 2024
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6 May 2024
In today’s hustle, the sound of children laughing can easily get drowned out. But laughter isn’t just fun—it helps children build resilience, reduce stress, and connect more deeply with the […]
6 May 2024
Family plays a crucial role in the development and well-being of young children. It provides a support system, love, and a sense of belonging that are essential for their growth. […]
8 June 2023
Cognitive development in preschool encompasses a broad range of cognitive processes that gradually evolve and shape a child’s understanding and interaction with the world. It involves the growth and maturation […]
5 June 2023
Toddlers are bundles of energy, constantly on the move and eager to explore the world around them. Engaging in active play and outdoor adventures not only allows them to burn […]
5 June 2023
Enhancing Balance and Coordination in Toddlers As toddlers grow and begin to explore the world around them, the development of balance and coordination becomes a crucial aspect of their physical […]
3 June 2023
How can you develop Motor skills, coordination, and rhythm in your toddler? Below we discuss educational and fun things to do with your under 3 that will provide opportunities for […]
2 June 2023
The Power of Active Play and Obstacle Courses Gross motor skills refer to the abilities and coordination of the large muscle groups in the body that enable activities such as […]
31 May 2023
Engaging Activities for Developing Skillful Hands Fine motor skills are crucial for the development of small muscle groups in the hands and fingers. These skills play a significant role in […]
30 May 2023
Discover 10 gentle, effective tools to manage toddler anger and teach emotional regulation using real-life parenting strategies.
30 May 2023
Sensory exploration is a fundamental aspect of a child’s development, particularly during the toddler years. By engaging their senses, toddlers have the opportunity to actively explore their environment, which not […]
24 May 2023
Physical Development: Advice and Activities for Toddlers The early years of a child’s life, especially the age of two to three, are crucial for their physical development. It is during […]
23 May 2023
School readiness encompasses various developmental areas. Ensure your child demonstrates social skills, emotional resilience, physical abilities, fine motor skills, language proficiency, cognitive abilities, and self-help skills. These areas include following […]
19 May 2023
Ball skills lessons play a crucial role in the development of early years children for several reasons. These lessons provide children with a foundation for physical, cognitive, and social growth, offering them a range of benefits that extend far beyond the realm of sports and physical activity.
2 February 2021
Spending time outdoors with your child is beneficial to both you and them. If you have a garden with trees or a nearby woodland, then I recommend building a den. […]
18 April 2016
Why is dress-up play important for young children? Dressing up in a variety of costumes is an important type of play that every child needs to have access to and […]
28 March 2016
From the moment our babies are born, we spend a huge amount of time looking into good sleep routines, sleep training, and getting our little ones to go to sleep […]
1 October 2015
There are so many reasons a child won’t go to bed. From the moment our babies are born, we spend a huge amount of time looking into good sleep routines, […]
28 September 2015
Parents often wonder if they should give their kids chores to do at home. Many parents feel that it is their responsibility to manage the household and are unsure whether […]
17 June 2015
I am one of 4 children, I have an older brother, a younger sister and a younger brother. We did not always get along. In fact, I can truthfully say […]
11 June 2015
Ideas for using Balloons… (other than simply blowing them up). Balloons are not only delightful decorations for parties and events but also versatile objects that offer various uses and opportunities […]
15 April 2015
Developing a passion for music is a valuable and enriching experience that everyone should have. With such a wide variety of musical styles available, there is undoubtedly something to captivate […]
8 April 2015
Teach Your Child to Swim: Water Safety Starts Here Teaching your child to swim is one of the most important life skills you can give them. It’s not just about […]
6 March 2015
Having a baby takes a lot out of you. It is not just the physical exertion of dealing with a newborn, but also the mental and emotional tolls that are […]
27 February 2015
Toddler activities can become repetitive and mundane when you’re stuck at home. With the cold wet weather encouraging us to stay warm and indoors it is no wonder the youngest […]
20 January 2015
We’re really getting into our letters! This week, it is the letter D. I do hope you’re enjoying using some of the ideas in my previous How to Teach posts. […]
13 January 2015
It’s time to take a look at how to teach the letter m. We’re mmmmotoring through the letters now.. see what I did there? Here are some fun and easy […]
6 January 2015
Learning letters can be a little boring for little people, so I have tried to put in as many fun ways to learn as possible. This week we are looking […]
19 December 2014
The adventures of Jingle, Our Christmas Elf Day 19: Jingle obviously decided we had not decorated our home enough for his liking. We found him in the kitchen sitting in […]
16 December 2014
Get a circular wreath shape. There are ones made from florists foam, willow sticks, polystyrene, and plastic. All you need to make sure of is that it can have wires […]
12 December 2014
The Adventures of Jingle , Our Christmas Elf Day 12 Today Jingle was found sitting on the windowsill in the kitchen inside a sleigh ornament. He had put Christmas hat […]
11 December 2014
Each of my children has their own collection of decorations for the Christmas tree. Every year they are allowed to choose a new one from the shops to add to […]
25 November 2014
Teaching sounds and letters should be fun for both you and your child. Use art and crafts, physical activity and experiences to make the letter more real to your child. […]
19 November 2014
Do you think your child doesn’t listen? Recently a plea for help was made on social media by a mother who had been told her 2 and a half year […]
18 November 2014
Have some fun teaching your little one all, about the letter ‘p’ with these fun activities. Forget about being formal and sitting around looking at letters..these activities are creative and […]
11 November 2014
Here are a few ideas that will help you teach the first letter of the alphabet.
6 November 2014
Positive School experience Sometimes it is difficult to know how to make school and going to school a more positive experience for your child. Having a positive experience of school […]
4 November 2014
My littlest child has just started “Big School” and has started to learn his letters in preparation for reading and writing. Each week we are working on a new letter […]
3 November 2014
These are really simple but effective candy cane decorations to make. Great for even your youngest child to help out with.
29 October 2014
13 Fantastic Face Paint ideas Gallery Does your child like having their face painted? Mine do. So much so that whenever we go to any festivals and fairs we end […]
28 October 2014
Pumpkin Bats are easy to make. Follow the instructions below for a fun and simple activity. These super cute and scary bats are perfect for a rainy autumn day. Easily […]
26 October 2014
Looking for some inspiration for your children’s Halloween costumes? Take a look at our picture gallery. These are my three kid’s costumes from the last 8 years. I always go […]
16 October 2014
Sensory play is an invaluable part of high-quality early childhood learning. A Sensory tray provides children with sensory materials which are used to enhance and stimulate their senses of touch, […]
13 October 2014
At this time of year it is great fun to be indoors doing arts, crafts and baking. This post pulls together all the harvest/ autumn/Halloween inspired activities from this site […]
11 October 2014
This craft project is one your kids will quickly get enthusiastic about. Almost anything can be shaped. Once your dough shapes are dry, they can be painted and used as […]
9 October 2014
Do you find it too difficult to carve a pumpkin? Here are some kid-friendly ways to decorate your pumpkin without using a knife. These ideas use paper scraps, paint, glue […]
1 October 2014
For a brief few days pumpkins during October, jack-o’-lanterns will flicker across many countries, the happy result of wicked imaginations, fun-filled family afternoons, and lots of elbow grease. If your […]
23 September 2014
Recently I saw these questions asked in a mom’s group I belong to. My little boy gets so bored of baths. Can anyone suggest some fairly simple but different ideas […]
8 September 2014
Want to know how to make your home a enabling environment for your baby? Sensory rooms are all the rage at the moment. Here are 8 elements to include to […]
22 April 2014
St George’s Day is a time to celebrate the patron saint of England. It’s a super excuse to enjoy or learn about some of England’s customs and traditions, and also […]
15 April 2014
As a mother of 3 children, I occasionally get to hear these two highly irritating words: ” I’m Bored!” I detest it so much that it is now banned in […]
31 March 2014
Creating a sensory tub for different themes is a fabulous way to get your little one interested and learning about different special days, colours, textures, sizes, shapes and theme related […]
21 March 2014
The skies are bluer, the breeze is warmer, the flowers are blooming and cute, cuddly baby creatures are being born. Along with all these marvelous changes to our environment, it […]
5 February 2014
It can’t get simpler than this. A paper heart for any occasion from Valentines Day to just a everyday show of love, this love heart is sure to please the […]
5 February 2014
Toddlers and preschoolers need plenty of time to just run around and play – adventure playgrounds, parks and the beach are all great places for kids this age. If you […]
1 February 2014
A friend has recently told me about an organization whose mission it is to get adults reading to children at least 15 minutes each day.
29 January 2014
This question was recently posted on a social networking site I visit; “Just wondering if anyone has ideas for rewards/treats for a 3 year old boy? We’re using a rewards […]
12 December 2013
You’ve been blessed with a new little person in your world. At first everything is about coping and getting it right, but one day you are in your groove and […]
6 December 2013
For most adults, eye care is largely taken for granted. But when it comes to children, it can be difficult to know what to look for with regard to eye […]
1 December 2013
Do you have a stash of leftover bits from wrapping paper? Don’t like to throw them out but have no idea what to do with them? In this article I […]
6 November 2013
At each stage in a child’s development, your role as a parent changes. The support, encouragement and type of interaction your child needs from you is constantly adapting as he […]
19 October 2013
Are you tired of the usual carrot left for the reindeer? Tired of answering the “Do the reindeer come inside to eat the carrots?” question. The “why do we only […]
3 January 2013
Cold, wet and rainy days usually mean we head for cover and warmth indoors, but snow is a different story. Snow , for the most part, is greeted with excitement […]
9 November 2012
This is a great way for you to help your child to celebrate themselves. Children enjoy making and creating things about themselves. Children usually have a sense of pride in […]
7 November 2012
Help your child to learn the significance of writing. What it represents and means. Writing is a series of symbols. Children are able to memorise and recognise letters as they […]
5 November 2012
We have decided to do a series of activity and crafts articles to help you and your toddler make the most of the Nursery Rhymes we all know and love. […]
19 October 2012
Have you been wondering how to create or provide the opportunity for literacy development? Do you know that there are really simple and effective ways to do this in your […]
30 September 2012
Did you know that 38% of grade four students have reading abilities below the lowest basic level as determined by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)? The NAEP is […]
25 September 2012
So, you want to teach your child to read, but before a child can learn to read, he or she must first learn at least some of the letters […]
20 September 2012
Phonics is the foundation of reading and writing. For children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), it opens the door to literacy in a fun, interactive, and meaningful way. […]
15 September 2012
Learning to read at a young age is important for the development of the child. It helps them develop a better understand of their surroundings, allows them to gather information […]
11 September 2012
Do you know what’s wrong with our children today? The problem is that the powerful brains of our healthy children are rarely challenged by complicated thoughts. Instead, they’re further dulled […]
10 September 2012
In our world, there have been some exceptionally brilliant minds, and many of these individuals learned to read at a young age, usually by 3 years old. Here are a […]
10 January 2012
Be consistent about bed times and waking times. Your toddler is more likely to respond positively if he’s used to a specified schedule. The earlier your child’s routine is established, […]
29 September 2011
Autumn is a lovely transitional time of year when the fresh colours of summer give way to all things red, orange, golden and brown. I adore how the landscape changes […]
5 July 2011
Here is a good seaside activity to do using coloured sand to make an original artwork. Sand Painting is a fun and easy way to create something really worth treasuring. […]
4 July 2011
Here is a simple and fun craft to do with your preschoolers, either upon returning from a beach holiday or take the ingredients with you and make it while at […]
3 July 2011
When are babies able to understand and begin to control their behaviour? When can you begin to set boundaries and when do they become aware of actions and the consequences […]
2 July 2011
Right from birth, babies enjoy the company of others and learn by interacting with others. They try to attract attention in a variety of ways and begin to use their […]
1 July 2011
Being with others in a social environment helps children to build relationships and develop the ability to participate fully in society. Babies and children need to be with people who […]
18 May 2011
Just when your baby is becoming a better sleeper teething pain arrives to wake her up.Here we look at symptoms and tips to help you and your baby through it! […]
10 May 2011
As babies develop, they become more aware of their environments and the people who are around them. Playing helps babies to learn about everything they hear and observe through their […]
28 January 2011
Little children love books… so take advantage of their natural interest and get them into the habit of reading . Here’s a quick guide to getting them started.
27 January 2011
Little children love books… so take advantage of their natural interest and get them into the habit of reading . Here’s a quick guide to getting them started.
13 December 2010
The kiddies will love making these in all sizes and shapes. They smell really great and look gorgeous on your tree…and if anyone is really starving after Christmas lunch, they […]
11 November 2010
Now that the rain keeps falling, I thought you may like to learn some fun and funny poems about rain with your toddler RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY Mother Goose Rain, […]
24 October 2010
Children do not often get many opportunities to use scissors; either because we forget about them or because we are too scared to let them have a go. However, cutting […]
28 July 2010
The three-year-old is full of wonder and spends a lot of time watching, observing, and imitating. Their days are filled with busy exploration of their world. Become a part of […]
22 July 2010
You are your child’s first role model. You are your child’s first and best teacher. Your baby learns from observing you, how you interact with him and other people, and […]
20 July 2010
Have you ever wondered how to go about helping your child get to grips with the basics of numeracy? Here I cover some ideas for teaching your child about number […]
17 July 2010
Simply talking, singing, playing sound and word games, reading, writing and drawing with your child are easy ways to build a firm literacy foundation. Your usual everyday activities, like going to […]
2 July 2010
We find it normal when boys mess around with plastic popguns and girls play with floral patterned tea sets. But if they trade toys, most of us are overcome with […]
15 June 2010
We thought we’d look at Dad’s and how they can be better in their roles as parents. Father’s have an important role to play in the lives of their children. […]
1 June 2010
Developing your child’s Imagination and therefore their Imaginative play ability is easier than you think. Young children should be provided with opportunities to explore and share their ideas, feelings and […]
14 May 2010
This is a simple craft for young children. Using some basic materials and inspiration from nature, you can create a beautiful blossom branch to welcome the arrival of Spring.
7 May 2010
Teaching your toddler about being healthy , active and taking care of their bodies is so important and helps them to develop the habit of self-care. Fitness, good eating habits […]
1 May 2010
Ever wondered what you could be doing for your littlest ones to help them discover the joys of movement? Here are some age appropriate play ideas for learning about moving […]
15 April 2010
What better way is there to get your little ones thinking about our planet than by filling a week with activities about it. We have put together some practical ideas […]
4 April 2010
This activity is really simple and lots of fun. It can provide a platform for teaching your child about insects and other creepy crawlies, as well as exploring shapes in […]
1 April 2010
Nursery Rhymes Series Part 3: We have decided to do a series of activity and crafts articles to help you and your toddler make the most of the Nursery Rhymes we […]
29 March 2010
You can make this farmyard favourite using cotton wool and paper. It is great as part of a display or just as a sweet activity to do with your young […]
27 March 2010
It’s always fun to make butterflies as a craft activity. In this post I will be sharing a few ideas of different ways to make butterflies with your small children. […]
24 March 2010
Music is present in many areas of our daily lives. From live musical scores in theatre to television, mainstream movies, a celebration of worship through song, special holiday and celebration […]
21 March 2010
Home made gifts are always the best! And this one is no exception. Mother’s and other relatives will love receiving this bright, cheerful and useful present.
20 March 2010
These adorable chicks are a great way to celebrate Springtime.
15 March 2010
St. Patrick’s Day remembers the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. This public holiday has grown into a celebration of Irish culture with parades, special Irish foods, […]
15 March 2010
Toddler friendly rainbow themed activities to use for weather projects or as St Patrick’s day activities
1 March 2010
Stay-at-Home Parent Tips Being a stay-at-home parent caring for your baby can sometimes feel long and overwhelming. The routine can be frustrating when days blend into one another without clear […]
28 February 2010
Saint David’s Day is the feast day of Saint David, the patron saint of Wales, and falls on 1 March each year.
25 February 2010
To give you a hint about what books are available for toddlers, I have searched through recommended lists and asked some mums for their toddlers favourites. This is what we […]
23 February 2010
Your angelic child is suddenly irritable, overactive or demanding. You’ve checked and she’s not hungry, cold/hot, bored or wearing a soiled nappy. So what could it be? Chances are she’s overtired.
21 February 2010
In modern times, with the invention of television, DVDs, games consoles, computers and other visual media, books have taken a less prominant role in our lives. So why is it still […]
19 February 2010
How do you know what types of books to choose for your baby or toddler? What can you do to encourage and foster a love of reading? Below I discuss […]
17 February 2010
Most babies and toddlers love books. They are often funny, bright and colourful, with loveable characters. But there are many reasons to read books that are less obvious. Take advantage […]
11 February 2010
Every parent wants to ensure that their child is healthy. How do you do this? How do you go about getting your toddler or small child to enjoy healthy eating? […]
8 February 2010
Here is a really quick and easy way to make a cute Heart-shaped person.
22 January 2010
What can parents do now to prepare their kids in the right direction towards thinking for themselves and making good (or better) choices? Experience tells us that prudence can be […]
10 January 2010
How This Simple Act of Affection Yields Major Gains in the Child’s Health, Disposition, and Overall Development. In a November 2005 issue of the “The Straits Times”, a leading Singapore […]
2 January 2010
Children of all ages love magnets. They are easy to come by and there are some really cheap varieties in office supply stores. You don’t need fancy shapes or colours.
30 December 2009
Nursery Rhymes series Part 1: We have decided to do a series of activity and crafts articles to help you and your toddler make the most of the Nursery Rhymes we […]
7 December 2009
Everyone loves Santa’s reindeer so here’s how to use your toddler’s foot and handprints to make this adorable reindeer face.
20 November 2009
Toddlers love glueing and this craft project will give them the opportunity to stick wooden lolly sticks onto a hedgehog body shape to create their own little woodland friend.
12 November 2009
Babies and toddlers learn to talk by listening. The more words they are exposed to, the quicker they learn to talk. Daily exposure to words helps the brain to develop. […]
10 November 2009
How To Teach Your Baby Sign Language by: Nicole Dean The word is spreading. Sign language is a great way to communicate with pre-verbal babies and toddler. New moms everywhere […]
10 November 2009
Use a few simple items to create magical miniature winter scenes in old glass jars. These make cute gifts for friends and family too.
5 November 2009
The 3in1 Harvest basket is an simple, adaptable craft which can be used to make a free-standing decoration for your sideboard, a greetings card, or even a set of place-card holders […]
3 November 2009
Fireworks of all kinds are used to celebrate Guy Fawkes and New Year’s Eve as well as many other celebration days. They can be designed to burn with coloured flames […]
29 October 2009
I don’t know about the area where you live but it seems that at the moment, where I live, every village has an apple or harvest festival scheduled. With many wonderful products to […]
28 October 2009
If you are keen to do some modelling and to make a decoration which will last a little longer than paper or card crafts, try making salt dough models. This is much […]
28 October 2009
Apples are a plenty at this time of year and for those looking to celebrate Harvest, here are some creative ideas to do just that with your toddler. This craft […]
27 October 2009
This is a very easy way to make a realistic looking leaf, using a real leaf as the template , a piece of paper and a crayon (or crayons). Read on […]
26 October 2009
During Harvest, our thoughts turn to pumpkins, apples and squashes. Here is the perfect toddler craft that is easily adapted to suit all three!
26 October 2009
Stage a spooky scene by assembling a colony of these winged creatures made from miniature pumpkins and craft foam.
23 October 2009
Some seriously simple and cheap spider craft ideas for you to make with your preschooler.
22 October 2009
Nursery Rhymes Series Part 1: We have decided to do a series of activity and crafts articles to help you and your toddler make the most of the Nursery Rhymes we […]
22 October 2009
Get a little silly with these Spidery Songs. They are sung to the tunes of well known songs so they should be easy for your toddler to learn!
22 October 2009
Have some fun with Spiders. Enjoy creating these webs with your little one.
20 October 2009
Use your toddler’s favourite songs and change the words to an autumn theme. These are from a toddler group we attend…
20 October 2009
Get your little ones up and moving with this harvest song sung to the tune of London Bridge. Age group: 1 year + What you need: Gather clean dry leaves (you […]
16 October 2009
A Rangoli is a bright and colourful design usually made on the floor near the entrance to a house to welcome guests. At Diwali, Hindus draw bright Rangoli patterns to […]
16 October 2009
The Diya is a common feature of the celebrations which accompany the festival of lights or Diwali. This is a simple way to make paper diya decorations to hang in the […]
