Pencils Down, It’s Time To Play…
Our school-aged children spend approximately 7 hours a day at school (I know that seems a very long time to a Home Edder like me, but it’s also long by European standards); and that’s before extra commitments like Breakfast Club for working parents, plus after-school tuition and clubs are factored in. As a result, 92% of parents fundamentally believe teachers share the responsibility of nurturing a child’s emotional wellbeing....
Fabulous Boden Bargains – It’s Their Summer Clearance Sale!
I just happened to *cough* fall into the Boden clearance sale earlier. Well – once you’re through the door it’d be rude to not look around, right? Right. And seriously LOOK at those bargains… Love love love – and want in a grown up size. This crochet knitted flower dress is a soft and comfortable wear-all-day winner. Reduced from £40 to under £16, still available in sizes 9-12yrs. Gorgeous. I grabbed one...
Our Favourite Ways For A Summer Of Play from Dr Amanda Gummer
Leading child development and play expert, Dr Amanda Gummer advocates the introduction of play to areas outside of the playground, thanks to its proven impact on cognitive development. She comments ‘by disguising a lesson in play, children have fun as well as learn. They relax and become more open to talking about what they think and how they feel. This trick can be a useful tool for parents and teachers as it’s easier to properly...
Win A Brilliant Puffin & Penguin Bumper Bundle | Summer Reading #ByBook
So here we go with week two of A Summer Reading #ByBook! We’re really enjoying it so far, are you? And I’ve also been totally inspired – a few of the featured summer Reading titles *may* have fallen into my kindle when I wasn’t looking (Where My Heart Used To Beat, The Beach, The Night Manager (finally – yes, I’m probably the only grown up on the planet who’s never read a John Le Carré, but...
Life Is Messy – 7 Steps to stay sane with Messy Play.
I’m raising four children, and in my (*counts quickly* *recounts as surely it can’t be THAT much* *sighs*…) 17 years of experience at this parenting malarky, I’ve learned the odd nugget or two of wisdom along the way. And one of the first things that pops up with traumatised parents of suddenly-active toddlers is messy play.That once calm and well-ordered house (let’s face it, babies aren’t capable...
Sprintzone – simply my all-time fave kids trainers
I hate kids trainers. There, I said it. I know, I know – they’re practical and sensible and necessary. But I’m sorry – they’re ugly. No matter how often my boys would fall gladly on a pair in the shoe shop and declare that THESE were the ones they’ve been waiting for, I never understood it. And girls trainers are possibly worse, splashed all over with lurid pink, often accented with pink glitter and...