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
Tag: Books & Reading
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
Lockdown Storytime: homeschool activities for preschoolers
My granddaughter Daisy has several storytimes throughout her busy day. Storytime is an integral part of a young child’s day, one that helps to develop their creativity and imagination, especially for preschool learners. Parents very quickly discover that young children have their favourite stories, which they enjoy listening to over and over again – these… Continue reading Lockdown Storytime: homeschool activities for preschoolers
As libraries reopen, the Summer Reading Challenge begins
Local libraries across the UK have begun to reopen as lockdown restrictions, triggered by the pandemic, gradually relax. With this in mind, I began to gather up our library books (those I’d borrowed for Daisy, and my own), ready to return them when I had an opportunity. As I collected the books together, I reflected… Continue reading As libraries reopen, the Summer Reading Challenge begins
Understanding and practising social distancing
I was ready to write a blog this morning but instead I want to share this piece from the BBC. Julia Donaldson and Alex Scheffler have created some picture panels to help young children understand about the current regulations for social distancing. At the end of the feature there's a link to the Gruffalo Facebook… Continue reading Understanding and practising social distancing
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
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
World Book Day; Sharing a story “The Tiger Who Came To Tea”
Today Daisy is sharing one of her favourite stories, dressed up as Sophie from Judith Kerr's classic The Tiger Who Came To Tea. The Tiger Who Came To Tea was first published in 1968. Judith Kerr said that she made this story up as a bedtime story and she told it again and again to… Continue reading World Book Day; Sharing a story “The Tiger Who Came To Tea”
Returning to the library
A visit to my local library is just as familiar to Daisy as a visit to the library near her home. Our visits to my library now begin with Daisy returning the books she's had on loan from her previous visit to the library. The process of putting the books under the scanner and then… Continue reading Returning to the library
World Book Day 2020; theme to ‘share a million stories’; Thursday 5th March
Did you know that this year it's World Book Day 2020 on March 5th? The theme for World Book Day 2020 is to share a million stories and encourages us to share stories from breakfast to bedtime. The official World Book Day 2020 website has resources for this year's 'sharing stories' theme and ideas for… Continue reading World Book Day 2020; theme to ‘share a million stories’; Thursday 5th March