Is your young child starting to push and pull objects? Maybe even moving things like coffee tables or even the highchair! We brainstormed at a Raising Mamas Playgroup morning, simple things that you have at home that your growing baby could use to push and pull. We came up with a washing basket as a … Read more
Being a Role Model and Creating a Purpose When children see adults use writing, they begin to understand its function or purpose. Involving your child in a writing or drawing task further teaches them about how writing is used in everyday life. At the same time, the child will be developing their fine motor and … Read more
Parents can incorporate teaching about emotions in everyday life. Ideas include: Let your child know that emotions are a normal part of life, and big emotions such as getting angry or frustrated are ok. Talk about your own feelings and be the role model for language and coping strategies, e.g. ‘Oh this is still not … Read more
A cardboard box is a simple, yet powerful play choice when it comes to fostering imaginative play. The box can transform into different settings and scenarios depending on the child’s creativity and interests on the day. Whether it be a spaceship, base, office, shop, garage, tent, library, or cozy home for a family of stuffed … Read more
Starting school is such an exciting and important milestone for a child and their family. Change will be a big part of this transition with new people, places, experiences and feelings. There are many ways to build a child’s familiarity with the changes and support a confident transition to ‘big school’. Help your child to … Read more
There are a few traps for parents in this area of teaching, and without realising it, we can end up encouraging emotional distress in children. Triple P suggests to be mindful of: Spending too much time talking about your own feelings and troubles with the child Dwelling on an upsetting experience for too long Being … Read more
When your child wants to show you something, stop what you are doing and pay attention to your child. It is important to spend frequent, small amounts of time with your child doing things that you both enjoy. Give your child lots of physical affection – children often like hugs, cuddles and holding hands. Talk … Read more
We have all experienced this, and as children, we may well have done the same to our parents. Our children have busy lives, with usually very busy, multi-tasking parents. They get engaged in playing, can retreat into their own world, be completely absorbed when using devices or screens, and can be quickly distracted by anything … Read more
We all wake up in different states of alertness, and some of us need more motivation to get moving than others…especially our children. Here are a few tips that might help: Make sure the morning routines are known, understood, shared and agreed on (with children old enough to do so). Children love predictability and respond … Read more
Timers work very well for lots of children as they support organisation, time management and also can reduce anxiety as the child knows when one thing will end, and what to expect next. Some effective uses are: Timing of an activity that the child is only going to have for a short time, e.g. screen … Read more
