Tag: Child Learning & Development
Outdoor learning: Outdoor adventures & using our senses
Some of the best learning can take place outdoors. We put together some ideas of activities you can do with your children that will help them use their senses and connect with nature. Outdoor adventures Gardening Discovering bugs – take photos and research them online Leaf and natural resource collection Vegetable or food garden, care for and record growth (track...
Learning at home – Literacy, math and science
It is a common misconception that children don’t learn math, science, language or literacy until they start at school. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth! Children practice and develop the foundations for these skills when they are very young, and the good news is, you don’t need any specific resources or activities to support this learning at home....
Learning at home – Fine and gross motor skills & problem solving
Looking for ideas that support children’s development of motor skills and problem-solving in your home environment? You don’t need fancy equipment or resources to do this, you will be surprised to learn that most of these ideas can be offered with minimal preparation. Ideas for gross motor skill development Throwing and or kicking balls in a bucket, hula hoop or...
Encouraging a Sense of Wonder while Keeping our Distance: This is the Time to Connect to Nature
During this global pandemic crisis, staying connected is a challenge. With so many of us being asked to socially isolate – to keep our distance, we look to new technologies to maintain relationships. In these uncertain times, it is more important than ever to stay connected. I recently wrote a blog post, Early Childhood Education: Making Sense of our Life’s Course,...
Welcoming New Families to Your Service
Welcoming New Families to Your Learning Service Choosing an early childhood service is a significant decision for most parents of young children. Having strategies to make new families feel welcome and included is so important. Here are some tried and tested suggestions to help a new child and their family feel a sense of belonging in your learning service: Keep in...
Self soothing
When you have a child who doesn’t sleep – the words “self-soothe” can make you break into a cold sweat. As the months went on and on and on and my youngest child continued to not sleep, and not sleep – and I went quite mad – I felt like all I ever heard was those two irritating words. He...
You can hear him in his dancing
I remember the first time someone said: “what’s wrong with your son”. I think my face, turning white, then splotchy red with anger, told him that what he’d said was not the right thing to say. “I just mean…” he said, ignoring my body language, shoulders already carrying me away from him. “Why does he make that noise? How old...
It’s Just a Phase: Oh No!
Somewhere around age two, many toddlers discover the awesome power behind one very short word: “No!” And oh boy, do they love to use it! “Let’s get your coat on; it’s cold.” “No!” “Let’s wash your hands.” “No. No wash!” “I need you to sit down.” “No, no, no!” If you’re hearing a lot of “no” these days, you may...
It’s Just a Phase! The Negotiator
If your child is somewhere between three and four years old, you have probably noticed her newfound negotiating skills. Maybe your first clue was a bedtime conversation like this: “Let’s get your pyjamas on and I’ll read you a story.” “Two stories – I want two stories.” You’ve always had a deal – pyjamas go on and one story is...
It’s Just a Phase: The Interrupter
You’re having a catch-up phone conversation with a friend. She’s sharing the nitty-gritty details of her life when your 3-year-old decides he wants to share the nitty-gritty details of his life. “Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom.” You try to shush him, but there’s no stopping the intentional mission of…The Interrupter. With a hint of frustration, your friend asks, “Is this a...