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Loose Parts Play
Building with bits and bobs! The idea of ‘loose parts’ has influenced child play experts and has allowed us to explore different ways children learn. Loose parts are materials that can be moved, carried, lined up, taken apart and put back together in multiple ways! Loose parts in the environment will empower the creativity and…
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Water Play
The wonders of water! Water is fascinating to children and is appropriate to all ages. Many children like playing with water whether it’s jumping in puddles, splashing in the sink when washing their hands, playing at bath time or having fun in a paddling pool! Water play can be a sociable occasion and exciting, or…
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Rhyme Time Sacks
Research shows that children who know 8 nursery rhymes by heart at age 4, are likely to be more confident at spelling and reading by age 8! Singing nursery rhymes is a is a lovely activity to help bond with your baby, and later on, a great way of building your child’s vocabulary. A ‘rhyme…
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Homemade Playdough
Dough it yourself! Playdough can be made very easily using ‘ingredients’ that you have at home, and this simple activity has many benefits. Before your child can hold a pen and learn to write, they need to strengthen and learn to control the muscles in their hands. Playdough is the perfect activity to exercise little…
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Homemade Fluffy and Cloud Dough
Dough it yourself! The real wonder of playdough is how everyone wants to play with it! Just make the dough and watch how adults and older children are also attracted to this ‘in the moment’ sensory activity. Kneading, squashing, squeezing and rolling brings calm and enjoyment to all ages! Fluffy playdough recipe What you need:…
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Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service
The focus of this service is making sure that everyone in Essex has the best possible start in life through meeting the identified needs of children, young people and families. The Healthy Family Team offer routine contacts to ALL families living in Essex within the first 3 years. These are as follows: These visits will…
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50 Things to Do Before You’re 5
The ultimate checklist with ‘low cost no cost’ ideas! Playing together is one of the most important things you can do with your child to help their learning. The time you spend playing together will help them learn all sorts of things – from counting and writing, to exploring and making new friends! Here are…
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Stages of Play
Playful minds! Play is a way that that your child can make sense of the world, themselves and others. As they grow and develop, they will gradually move through the different stages of play. It is important that you play with your child at every stage of play when they are ready, as this will…
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Role Play
The land of make-believe! Role play can develop your child’s speech, language and communication skills and it can be an opportunity to play the same game over and over again to develop confidence. It involves the next stage of imaginative play, where your child is able to ‘become’ someone or something else. When participating in…
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Imaginative Play
Imagination station! Imaginative play, or ‘symbolic’ play, is important because it suggests that your child understands that one object or picture can symbolise another, just as a word represents an object. During imaginative play, your child is beginning to understand the idea of symbols, which eventually leads to being able to think in abstract ways…
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Types of Play
Playful minds! Play and language go hand in hand. Children need a wide range of play in order to develop their language skills. If your child’s language and communication skills are delayed, observation of their play can show a lot about their general development and readiness for language. It can also highlight which type of…
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Homemade Soup
Soup-er mini chefs in the kitchen! Cooking with your child is a great source of learning and development. It does not have to be a complicated recipe – in fact, the simple ones are the best because it is about the process, not necessarily the outcome! Why not try making this recipe for yummy and…
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Enjoying Bedtime Stories
Little readers, big adventures! Reading with your child offers a rich opportunity for quality time and learning together. It can also be a relaxing activity when winding down for bedtime. While sharing stories with your child you are creating a close and personal experience, as well as developing their language, vocabulary and communication skills. “You…
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Building Dens
Cosy creations and den-tastic fun! Reasons to build a den: Top tips:
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Messy Play
Messy and magic moments! Children learn through exploring the world around them! A great way to help them do this freely is through messy play – it helps them with so many skills, from pre-writing skills to developing confidence with trying new activities. Messy play ideas: Top tips: