Research shows that pre-school children have a vocabulary of around 1,000 words by the time they are three and they will continue to learn another 500 - 600 words by the time they are four years old. Recently I had been sitting on the floor with Daisy while she played with her mixed collection of… Continue reading Grandparents and YouTube; a great combination to help preschoolers learn new words
Author: grannysmithsdiary
More Creative Autumn-Themed Activities For Pre-schoolers, Using Black Sugar Paper
A pack of sugar (or construction) paper is a great investment offering lots of opportunities for crafting activities including some that perfectly suit events in Autumn. Sugar paper has a slightly rough surface and so is ideal for young children to use in craft activities. (Just in case your grandchild asks: the term "sugar paper"… Continue reading More Creative Autumn-Themed Activities For Pre-schoolers, Using Black Sugar Paper
A Simple Autumn Craft Activity for a Three Year Old
When Daisy comes to visit us she has plenty of play time. There's a different set of toys her for her to play with, she has our garden to explore, and I enjoy having those special one-to-one moments with my granddaughter. As well as joining in with her play-time, I try to prepare a few… Continue reading A Simple Autumn Craft Activity for a Three Year Old
Sharing and Learning from what happens in Autumn
We adults are familiar with the sequence of the seasons and the gradual changes that take place in nature during autumn. As part of beginning to understand the world around her (part of the Early Years curriculum), this year we've started to talk to Daisy about the way trees change in autumn, and to observe… Continue reading Sharing and Learning from what happens in Autumn
Conkers for Counting
This week the fine Autumn weather tempted us to the local park with Daisy, while Mummy and Daddy did more boring things at home. As Daisy ran along the tree-lined path to the playground a strong gust of wind shook the branches overhead and conkers dropped from the sky, one bouncing of Daisy’s head (no… Continue reading Conkers for Counting
Helping your grandchild with Scissor Skills
I know that, at some point on most days, I will use a pair of scissors: to cut open a sealed packet, to cut a piece of string and, in my crafting time, to cut some fabric or yarn. Daisy is increasingly aware of what we do; wanting to join in and use the equipment… Continue reading Helping your grandchild with Scissor Skills
Wibble Wobble, Messy Jelly learning on a plate
Indoors or outdoors, Daisy regularly enjoys messy play. Of course some of her messy play is spontaneous and sometimes we plan activities for her. Messy play can involved all different types of media from mud and compost to things found in the kitchen like flour, custard and jelly. Setting out the play For a recent… Continue reading Wibble Wobble, Messy Jelly learning on a plate
Preschool Clambering to Climbing
It is a while since I wrote a blog with a focus on physical skills. This isn't the blog that I was going to write but, as any grandparent knows, grandchildren have a knack of changing our plans and Daisy is no exception! Daisy has always liked climbing, but lately it’s something she’ll do at… Continue reading Preschool Clambering to Climbing
Left, Right, Ready to Write?
For several days recently, a delighted Daisy would keep telling me that it wasn't my birthday yet! When the day finally arrived, almost bursting with excitement, Daisy handed me an envelope. This was of course a special birthday moment for me as Daisy had 'written' on the envelope and 'signed' a birthday card for me.… Continue reading Left, Right, Ready to Write?
Using Story Sacks to bring Story Books to Life
Back in May, I wrote a blog about 50 years of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and described a visit to the local library with Daisy where we selected some books and a Story Sack to borrow from the library. While Daisy is now familiar with borrowing library books, The Very Hungry Caterpillar was her first… Continue reading Using Story Sacks to bring Story Books to Life
Granny Smith's Diary 