Category Archives: children

Outdoor Play: Making Potions

Posted on May 10, 2013 by

My eldest daughter has been an avid potion maker all her life.  We are always finding concoctions in her bathroom and when she was young she would leave them on the windowsill of her bedroom or on the side of … Continue reading →

Posted in childhood, children, early education & play, imagination, outdoor play, parenting, parents, play, pre schoolers, science, sensory play | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Child Initiated Play – Playing with Shaving Foam

Posted on February 21, 2013 by

‘Dad can I play with your shaving foam?’ Yes of course *mum goes to fetch a tray. Can we have some toys in it? Yes of course, go and see what you can find.

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A Musical Family Christmas with Jingle Bells Music Book

Posted on December 20, 2012 by

My idea of the perfect family Christmas is a little clichéd but involves mince pies, mulled wine, a roaring fire and singing around the piano. This is becoming a reality in our house.  With an array of instruments including piano, guitar, … Continue reading →

Posted in children, Christmas, early education & play, families, music, music education, parenting, parents, play, pre schoolers, review, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Proposed Changes for UK Childcare – For Better or Worse?

Posted on December 13, 2012 by

This week a BBC article Ministers’ Plan Childcare Change   outlined the UK governments proposals for reducing the cost of childcare. Alongside making some provision tax deductible, other proposals include increasing the number of children a childminder can care for.  improving their qualification level in a … Continue reading →

Posted in childcare, children, early education & play, families, parenting, parents, UK, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

What Would I Do Without My Kids? The 2 Sides of the Coin.

Posted on November 17, 2012 by

As I lifted my 2-year-old out of her cot to embark on the school run and she nuzzled sleepily into my neck, I held her firmly and asked myself ‘what would I do without my kids?’ When she greets me with … Continue reading →

Posted in children, parenting, Random Thoughts & Life Stories | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

‘ Once Upon a Time’ Raising Money for Save the Children

Posted on December 7, 2011 by

A few weeks ago I responded to a request to contribute to a children’s story book entitled ‘Once Upon a Time’  to raise money for Save the Children. I have always wanted to write for children but have struggled with the … Continue reading →

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Lego Harry Potter 5-7 Years – A Review

Posted on November 22, 2011 by

My 7 Year old is steadily working her way through the Harry Potter books, so this game has arrived at an opportune moment.   Lego Harry Potter 5-7 years covers  the last 3 books of the series and as my daughter … Continue reading →

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Top 5 Books for Children Under 5 as Chosen by my Children

Posted on November 21, 2011 by

My competition to win 6 Picture Books has prompted some wonderful comments about reading with young children.  Lots of the comments suggested that parents were always keen to find new books to share with their children.  I have already written a post … Continue reading →

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Add to the Magic this Hallowe’en with a Talking Pumpkin

Posted on October 27, 2011 by

When I worked in a nursery we displayed a Hallowe’en Pumpkin in our entrance hall.  It was placed on a table covered with a table-cloth.  Under the table-cloth we put a tape recording of the pumpkin’s voice that we would play when … Continue reading →

Posted in children, early education & play, imagination, parenting, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

TEDx London 2011 The Education Revolution

Posted on September 22, 2011 by

I was fortunate to attend TEDx London this weekend. This event was born from issues raised in Sir Ken Robinson’s 2010 TED talk and was designed to raise the question ‘ How can we bring on the Education Revolution?’ What … Continue reading →

Posted in active learning, children, early education & play, education, imagination, motivation, music education, passion, play, review, science, Sir Ken Robinson, teaching, technology | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment