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Visual Timetables
Your day, your way! As adults we understand the passing of time and what is coming next. Most of us use a calendar to help us to stay organised, plan events, and manage the unexpected. Your child is yet to learn about the passing of time or what is going to happen next. A visual…
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Developing Spoken Language
Chatter matters! Young children need to use words and sentences to talk about their experiences, resolve problems, ask for help and to play. Later while at school, they need to have secure language skills in order to sequence events, re-tell stories and present their ideas. All of these skills, once secure, are then essential for…
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Attention and Listening Activities
Ready to listen and learn! Making quiet time for you and your child to play a game with no distractions can really help build their attention span and listening skills. Each child’s attention and listening skills are different, so follow your child’s needs and interests. Choosing an activity with your child based on what they…
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Attention and Listening
Ready to listen and learn! One of the best way to help your child develop good attention and listening skills is by spending quality time together without distractions. This only has to be five-ten minutes each day and can take place anywhere – while out and about, at home, and during routines such as bedtime.…
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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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The Importance of Home Language
The gift of language! The language you speak with your child is the first language they will learn. It is their first connection to you, to the rest of their family, and to their culture and community. Home language is what your child will first use to learn about the world around them and helps them get ‘set for life’ – you…
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Talk, Listen, Cuddle ‘At Home’ Cards
Home learning! Home is the perfect place to help your child learn to talk, in whatever language you speak! It is a place where your little one is most confident and spends the majority of their day. We have made ‘At Home’ cards to share with you some ideas and top tips for you to do at…
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Talk, Listen, Cuddle ‘Out and About’ Cards
A whole new world! When you are out and about with your child there is lots to uncover and explore – new sounds, new smells and new things to see that are different than at home. Talking about these new experiences with your children helps them recognise them and make connections with the things they…
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Talk, Listen, Cuddle Nursery Rhyme Cards
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! Essex parents were invited to vote for their 6 most favourite nursery rhymes, and we made them into Nursery Rhyme cards! Each card has a rhyme on the…
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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…