Given the importance of healthy eating to physical development, and the way that many governments have struggled to deal with childhood obesity, not just in the UK but around the world, it’s surprising that we don’t spend more time encouraging our children to play with their food. Well, perhaps not during mealtimes (when it can… Continue reading Children should play with their food
Category: Physical Development
Physical development involves providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive; and to develop their co-ordination, control, and movement. Children must also be helped to understand the importance of physical activity, and to make healthy choices in relation to food.
Scooters and balance bikes; directed play for pre-school children
I have had several conversations with family and friends in the past week as we all begin to consider the easing of the lockdown. Talk quickly turned to the results of our enforced confinement and a positive on which we all agreed was the one hour-a-day outdoor exercise. It has been a regular opportunity for… Continue reading Scooters and balance bikes; directed play for pre-school children
Managing Messy Play At Home
Messy Play is such an important part of the Early Years’ experience; in nurseries children will have plenty of opportunities for messy play using ice, cold pasta, jelly, sand, water, dough, compost.... they're all enjoyably messy for young children! When the weather is fine enough to be outside then you can also practise messy play… Continue reading Managing Messy Play At Home
Helping your grandchildren from a distance
I've realised that I need to change the focus of my blog. It’s hard to accept but soon many grandparents will not be able to have close contact time with their grandchildren. We’re used to being the reliable backstop, not the vulnerable ones aren’t we? I don't expect it to be long before schools, children's… Continue reading Helping your grandchildren from a distance
Keeping Pre-schools Kids active in Winter: Expressive and physical play through ring games and action songs
At this time of year the days are shorter and recently we’ve had more than our fair share of very wet days too. There is only so much outdoor play that your grandchildren can do at this time of year; they still have the same amount of energy but they're spending more time indoors. This… Continue reading Keeping Pre-schools Kids active in Winter: Expressive and physical play through ring games and action songs
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
Pouring activities for hand-eye coordination using gross and fine motor control
From experience I’ve found that one type of play can often inspire another activity a few days later using the same play equipment but with a different focus and different results. Messy play remains a regular activity for Daisy and since their recent introduction funnels have become a permanent part of her activities. Having watched… Continue reading Pouring activities for hand-eye coordination using gross and fine motor control
Learning in the Garden: Load, Lift and Push a wheelbarrow
When Daisy comes to stay she loves to spend time in our garden and she's now developed an interest in our garden tools and equipment. So when we recently spotted a child's metal wheelbarrow in a charity shop, we knew that it would be perfect for Daisy. Daisy has a toy buggy at home and… Continue reading Learning in the Garden: Load, Lift and Push a wheelbarrow
Granny Smith's Diary 