Do you think children should have a childhood? Of course you do. Who wouldn’t? Here in the west we take it for granted that a child’s first few years are sacred, a place for play and discovery, before the pressures of work and responsibility are felt. We are horrified by stories of child labour in […]
What is childhood? Read More »
Just like us, babies have a mental model of how they think the world works. When something unexpected happens, it challenges what they’d previously believed. So they have to take in new information that will enable them to piece together a more accurate picture. It’s why you’ll see them repeat actions many times. They’re testing
Babies learn by looking for the unexpected. Read More »
If you’re lucky enough to be able to walk to school with your child then you’re likely to be doubling their one-to-one time with an adult for the day. In the busy classroom, teachers rarely have the opportunity to work directly with a child, so the time you have together first thing in the morning
7 simple ways to boost learning on the way to school Read More »
Flashcards have a bad reputation. There are even books about it (Einstein Never Used Flashcards – a good read, btw!) They epitomise pushy parenting. But showing flashcards to a toddler in an attempt to turn them into a genius at the expense of creative play is very different from using them with a four- or
Is it ever OK to use flashcards? Read More »
We all keep essentials in our kitchen store cupboards – tomatoes and rice, pasta and beans – those trusted ingredients we know we can reach for at a moment’s notice, to whip up something nourishing. Many of us buy wardrobe staples – a pair of jeans and a few well-fitting t-shirts, some trainers and a
Introducing the 100 Toys Essentials Read More »
Supporting exploration German toy manufacturers HABA have been making their tough outdoor toys and forest school accessories for many generations. Their mission is to stimulate children’s natural curiosity and innate drive to explore, with toys that support them on their adventures in the natural world. HABA dinosaur carving blanks are cut from wood soft enough
Forest school fun in your garden with HABA tools Read More »
Introducing the magical kingdom of Moulin Roty, where rag dolls, shadow puppets and soft toys inspire imagination and storytelling. A doll to care for I have to admit that while I was an Early Years teacher, I didn’t really understand the value of playing with dolls. I made sure they were available in the home
Moulin Roty Gift Guide Read More »
You’ll often hear us say children don’t really need toys. In fact it’s one of the big ideas at the heart of our mission: we believe play is about so much more than entertainment, for children it’s about learning through their own investigations. By supporting them in their explorations, not only with toys but with
Better than any toy Read More »
Peaceable Kingdom produce board games that get children working together, instead of against each other. These award-winning games require cooperation between players in order for everyone to win. Games such as Hoot Owl Hoot, Feed The Woozle, and Count Your Chickens, pit players against an opposing force such as a forthcoming sunrise or a wicked
Introducing Peaceable Kingdom: Non-competitive board games Read More »
The concept of RIE parenting often gets a bad rap – its principles are seen by non-believers as too earnestly liberal, lacking in the kind of routines and boundaries that young children need to feel secure. RIE parents, opponents argue, are giving small babies choices, imbuing them with independence and a level of cognitive awareness
RIE parenting essentials Read More »