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Our top tips and ideas.

Using the filters below you can find all of our resources, tips and links suitable for your child’s age and the area of learning that may be of interest.

The first few years of a child’s life are key to the development of their speech, language and cognitive skills.

For this reason, it is important to create an environment that helps to develop speech and language skills to give children all the stimulation, positive role modelling and human contact that they need. Through play, simple daily interactions and experiences, you can help your child learn new language and skills.

Adults do not need special training to be able to provide a child with a positive start in life. There are a few simple building blocks that you can put in place to help your child grow, and as a parent, you just need to provide the time to interact with your child. By giving your child the space to explore and interact in their own way, you are allowing them to develop and learn in a fun and safe environment!

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  • Sensory Play Preferences

    Sensory Play Preferences

    Play Preferences For Sensory Needs We all know the 5 basic senses, Vision, Hearing, Touch, Taste and Smell but our bodies rely on 8! Things like movement, balance and muscle awareness often dictates how our children play. Play is how children make sense of their world and lots of children may process information they take…

  • Sensory Play Ideas

    Sensory Play Ideas

    Play makes sense! Discover fun indoor and outdoor play ideas tailored to children’s sensory preferences in the chart below! Sensory System   I Like To… (Sensory Seeker)   Things That Help Me Feel Comfortable (Sensory Avoider)   Looking (Visual) • Play with torches of multiple colours, hide items and shine on found items.• Make &…

  • Safe Sleep for Babies

    Safe Sleep for Babies

    Signposting you to official guidance Adopting a safer sleep routine with your baby can reduce the risk of a SID (Sudden Infant Death, formerly known as cot death) occurring. For advice and guidance, please follow the links below: The Lullaby Trust NHS – Best Start In Life Essex Child And Family Wellbeing Service Baby Sleep…

  • Recycling at Home

    Recycling at Home

    Small changes make a world of difference! It is never too early to start good habits in relation to recycling and being kind to our planet. The small changes we make at home now help protect the future for our children, and there are ways to get your child involved too! Small changes will soon…

  • Supporting Your Child’s Literacy

    Supporting Your Child’s Literacy

    Bringing literacy to life at home! Did you know there are 4 ways to support your child’s literacy at home? These are looking at and exploring: The Making it REAL (Raising Early Achievement in Literacy) approach is all about recognising that literacy begins long before school and that families play the most important role. Whether…

  • Rock Painting

    Rock Painting

    Bright Rocks, Big Smiles! Looking for a fun, affordable activity that gets your child creative at home and excited about exploring their local community? Painting stones is a fantastic low-cost, no-cost activity that children of all ages can enjoy! Children naturally love collecting interesting stones, pebbles and rocks. Turning these simple natural treasures into colourful…

  • Essex Early Years and Childcare Charter

    Essex Early Years and Childcare Charter

    What the Charter means to you as a parent or carer! If your child attends childcare or primary school, the setting may be a Charter member. Their membership supports Essex County Council’s Early Years and Childcare Strategy to ensure every child in Essex gets the best start in life. Since its launch in November 2022,…

  • Phonological Awareness

    Phonological Awareness

    Sounds, syllables and songs! Phonological awareness is being able to hear and distinguish sounds in words and sentences such as rhyme and alliteration. This is an auditory skill; what you can hear, not what you can see and read. Phonological awareness is not the same as ‘phonics’ which is the sound of a letter, for…

  • Navigating Change

    Navigating Change

    Change champions! Small children are constantly growing and developing, whilst life around them is continually changing. From taking their first steps, to welcoming a new sibling or starting at school, your child will encounter so many new environments, different people and new experiences. All these come with new language, rules, expectations and emotions. Some children…

  • Homemade Pancakes

    Homemade Pancakes

    Perfect pancakes made easy! Cooking pancakes is a great activity to encourage lots of talking with your child! New words you can introduce: What you need: Allergy Disclaimer: Always check the label of each ingredient for allergy warnings What to do: Recipe Source: Delia Smith, BBC Food – Kid’s Pancake Recipes Top tips:

  • Screen Time

    Screen Time

    Smart parenting in a digital world! Screentime The first 1,001 days are a critical period for a child’s development. Research shows us that babies and young children achieve the most development when an adult engages with them through playful learning on a regular basis – chatting, playing, and reading. This will help them build strong…

  • A Christmas Adventure

    A Christmas Adventure

    Merry and bright delight! The weeks leading up to, and during, Christmas can get very hectic. There is lots you can do with your little one to ensure you have quality time together this season with some magical moments! Top tips: Leading up to Christmas During and after Christmas

  • Arts and Crafts

    Arts and Crafts

    Getting crafty with Stick Man! Creativity plays a crucial part in your child’s learning and development. It contributes to many aspects of learning such as curiosity, imagination, and problem solving. Arts and craft activities are a fun and powerful way to support your child’s speech and language skills. Your child will practise listening, following instructions,…

  • Best Start in Life

    Best Start in Life

    Giving every child the best start in life! Best Start in Life was launched in September 2025 and is the UK Government’s strategy to ensure that a child’s background does not determine their future success, and that all children develop well by: learning to communicate, building relationships, managing their emotions, playing and learning. This is…

  • A Halloween Journey

    A Halloween Journey

    Spells, stories and scribbles! Did you know there are four strands to supporting your child’s Early Literacy? These are: For young children, Halloween can provide multiple opportunities for learning and development in all of these strands! Top tips: Create a Halloween Story Map to develop your child’s early writing skills: A story map is a…

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