When Daisy was just six months old one of Grandad’s friends gave us a Mini Top made by the Danish company Gonge. This brightly coloured plastic child-sized ‘bowl’ is now so widely used in young physical education that it has become the logo of the company that makes it. Gross Motor Control It's important for… Continue reading A Top Danish toy for active play; Mini Top
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.
Squeezing activities; jumbo pipettes in the bath
On the days that we see her, we're always involved in Daisy's bathtime routine.The bath toys are stacked up at one end of the bath and Daisy chooses what she'd like in the bath (usually that means everything goes into the bath) and she is now being encouraged to help to put the toys back… Continue reading Squeezing activities; jumbo pipettes in the bath
Exploratory play – Touch; Shape and Texture
Sometimes we plan and prepare play with Daisy. Sometimes her play is in an instant, led by her curiosity to find out about the world around her. So when Mummy had some felt to make up the Very Hungry Caterpillar costume, Daisy wanted to have some felt too.Daisy took some of the large pieces and… Continue reading Exploratory play – Touch; Shape and Texture
Balance and playball fun; dribbling with Daisy
When I watched Daddy and Daisy laying on the floor, singing and playing Sleeping Bunnies I then realised that I haven't written much about some of the more physical play we've been doing together. Sleeping Bunnies came after we'd been playing together with a soft ball. I put the empty laundry baskets on their side… Continue reading Balance and playball fun; dribbling with Daisy
Ideas for using sensory tubes with toddlers-‘filling holes and spaces’.
At the start of the year I wrote my blog 'Using everyday items to develop eye and hand control in toddlers' and in the weeks since, I can see how Daisy's eye and hand control skills have flourished (she recently hit her 16 month eye and hand control milestone), particularly as now, as well as… Continue reading Ideas for using sensory tubes with toddlers-‘filling holes and spaces’.
More ways to use a builder’s mixing tray for messy play
Almost every day I see Daisy involved in some form of messy play. She's either doing messy play at home or Mummy, and sometimes Daddy, takes her to a Messy Play Activity Session. Messy play activity sessions are available around the country and you can find what's available locally for you with an internet search… Continue reading More ways to use a builder’s mixing tray for messy play
How to use a builder’s mixing tray for messy play with under two’s
During my recent stay with Daisy we had plenty of messy play time, using the latest addition to her play area. Daisy now has a large blue plastic tray for her messy play. Daisy really enjoys messy pay so this tray is in use most days and she's been enjoying all different types of messy… Continue reading How to use a builder’s mixing tray for messy play with under two’s
Using everyday items to develop eye and hand control in toddlers.
Sometimes it's a good idea to put out something to be played with that is similar but not exactly the same as previous play items. This gives your grandchild a chance to practise the skills they already have discovered and to try using those skills in a slightly different way. Yesterday, after Daisy had been… Continue reading Using everyday items to develop eye and hand control in toddlers.
More Play Ideas using Extra large disposable foil roasting trays
Daisy's continued to enjoy play with the two large foil roasting trays. This time we set the trays out with some dried macaroni, some colourful kitchen serving bowls and beakers, and a few stray items that Daisy added herself. Pasta is ideal because it's a dried food item so if Daisy does put it in… Continue reading More Play Ideas using Extra large disposable foil roasting trays
Play ideas using extra-large disposable foil roasting trays
It's that time of the year when the supermarkets are full of all kinds of festive treats. We've purchased two of those extra large disposable foil roasting trays that appear along with all the other paraphernalia that we might need for seasonal entertaining. But these trays won't see the inside of an oven; they are… Continue reading Play ideas using extra-large disposable foil roasting trays
Granny Smith's Diary 