Expressive Arts & Design

When Paper Dolls meet Number Bonds

Paper dolls, or ‘cut-outs’ have been an inexpensive craft and play option for children for more nearly two centuries. They’ve inspired a lot of play since then and some great stories too. I recently discovered that, as with many toys, it doesn’t take much imagination to build a counting activity into paper-doll play – my… Continue reading When Paper Dolls meet Number Bonds

Expressive Arts & Design

Construction play: building a child’s creative skills

Construction play with bricks and blocks gives children an opportunity to handle, manipulate and examine 3D objects. Here are some ideas about how you can support those creative play sessions As an early years educator, I’ve always felt that construction play can offer huge benefits to young children, especially when there are no time constraints… Continue reading Construction play: building a child’s creative skills

Expressive Arts & Design

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

Expressive Arts & Design

Christmas craft activity: scissors and ‘stained glass’

Having taken a detailed look back at all that my granddaughter Daisy has achieved in 2020, I’m definitely ready to look forward to Christmas and to embrace some festive craft activities!  This blog outlines a simple craft activity that doesn’t require too much in the way of preparation or materials; you may find that you… Continue reading Christmas craft activity: scissors and ‘stained glass’

Expressive Arts & Design

Mixing it up: paint, pumpkins and primary colours

Eighteen months ago, when I first set up a new painting easel for my granddaughter Daisy I made one big mistake. The art paper roll was correctly fitted, the brushes were ready, each paint pot was full and the easel stood out on the lawn, ready for Daisy to begin her artistic endeavours.  So what… Continue reading Mixing it up: paint, pumpkins and primary colours

Expressive Arts & Design

Back to the magnetic drawing board

There are few things more exciting for a grandparent than buying and presenting a toy to a beloved grandchild, and watching it being incorporated into their imaginative play. As an educator, I find it especially interesting to observe which toys ‘catch on’ with a child, and crucially when they catch on. Sometimes a toy doesn’t… Continue reading Back to the magnetic drawing board

Expressive Arts & Design

Imaginative play: how children create their own storylines

As an experienced early years educator, I’m very comfortable with planning and sharing fun learning activities with my three-year old granddaughter, Daisy. But it’s important to remember that our grandchildren are developing all the time, even when we’re not watching or guiding them, and that sometimes you can learn as much simply by observing their… Continue reading Imaginative play: how children create their own storylines

Expressive Arts & Design

Weaving: a fun, flexible activity for preschoolers

Weaving is a fun, flexible and creative activity for children. Not enough preschoolers are exposed to this simple pastime, which helps to build vital skills that will support development through their early years. The basic skill of weaving will help a child to improve their fine manipulative skills and dexterity. Weaving strengthens the hand muscles… Continue reading Weaving: a fun, flexible activity for preschoolers

Expressive Arts & Design

Bringing The Learning Play Into Your Home

Yesterday, through the wonders of modern technology I was able to watch Daisy playing at home with Mummy and Daddy.  When Daisy plays at home, her play is different from the play she has when she's at a playgroup or with the childminder.  In Early Years environments, activities usually have 'zones' for different types of… Continue reading Bringing The Learning Play Into Your Home

Expressive Arts & Design

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