“Daisy, how many toes have you got on this foot?” I was sitting in the back of the car with my granddaughter Daisy as we travelled home from another afternoon spent rock-pooling at the beach, and Daisy had cast off her wellies and socks. Daisy looked at the foot I was drying and quickly answered… Continue reading Preschool numerical patterns: Numberblocks and number bonds
Preschool colouring fun: learning within the lines
Why do children enjoy colouring so much? Perhaps it’s because, like adults, many children find colouring both absorbing, relaxing and creatively fulfilling. Most adults appreciate that colouring has some parenting value, at least because it holds a child’s attention without much need for supervision – it’s a great way to encourage focused quiet time, which… Continue reading Preschool colouring fun: learning within the lines
A child’s eye view of life cycles in springtime
Here in the UK, our gardens and parks are starting to fill with new growth on plants and colourful flowers have begun to appear. It is an ideal time to take young children out to have a look and to talk about spring and what happens in springtime The world is changing around them –… Continue reading A child’s eye view of life cycles in springtime
Preschool numeracy: fun with odds and evens
On one of our regular FaceTime calls last week, my granddaughter Daisy made one of her frequent surprise announcements. She carefully explained to me that she and Daddy “are even numbers” and Mummy “is an odd number”. She added that, following her next birthday, she (Daisy) would be odd, Daddy would also be odd and… Continue reading Preschool numeracy: fun with odds and evens
Teaching your child to write their name
I remember well the family conversations that were shared about possible names for our grandchild, Daisy. Now it’s impossible to imagine her having any other name! We’ve watched as she’s grown and have seen how she’s taken ownership of her name and become a ‘proper’ Daisy. Our children and grandchildren take their name and invariably… Continue reading Teaching your child to write their name
Happy World Book Day 2021!
Today is World Book Day! For this year's edition, my granddaughter Daisy is wearing a homemade outfit and is dressed as a character from one of her many favourite books: the Ladybird from the wonderful What the Ladybird Heard series of books by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks! There are some excellent activities to explore… Continue reading Happy World Book Day 2021!
All set for World Book Day 2021
World Book Day is always popular with my family. This annual event takes place at the beginning of March and my granddaughter Daisy always enjoys dressing as a book character on that day; in previous years her costumes have honoured The Tiger Who Came To Tea by Judith Kerr, The Highway Rat by Julia Donaldson… Continue reading All set for World Book Day 2021
Keeping your grandchild safe online
Recently, my granddaughter Daisy attended a school home-learning session, where her nursery teacher talked briefly to the children about internet safety. Daisy is already using the internet, apps and smart screens as part of her everyday routines – she joins videoconferenced classes, she practices her reading skills on apps such as Reading Eggs, and watches… Continue reading Keeping your grandchild safe online
Making tracks, outdoors and indoors
“‘Did you know, Granny, we found some footprints! They went in a straight line and around the corner and just stopped – like an L shape!". My excited granddaughter Daisy was telling me about her afternoon bike ride with her daddy. During their outing, they had found a track of footprints along the pavement. So… Continue reading Making tracks, outdoors and indoors
Using magnetic letters for remote phonics fun
The third UK lockdown has brought families and educators new challenges and new ways to do so many things. In fact, during a recent family video call I discovered a new activity to enjoy with my four-year-old granddaughter Daisy – one that is only possible when we’re not in the same room! Last year Daisy… Continue reading Using magnetic letters for remote phonics fun
