I'm writing this blog while sitting in my garden, listening to a chorus of birdsong, some distant traffic and the sounds of the breeze blowing through the trees. Last week I read about some recent data that shows, on average, Britons spend five percent of the day (an hour and twelve minutes) outside. While another… Continue reading Listening Walks
Tag: Low-cost activities
Sharing Letter Shapes
I have to credit Daisy with the inspiration for this blog! Last night a couple of her library books were laying on Daisy's play table, ready for bedtime reading. Daisy disappeared into the kitchen and came back with some of her magnetic letters from the fridge door. She then started to lay the letters on… Continue reading Sharing Letter Shapes
Free the penguin! Investigating ice with a preschool child
A guest post by Daisy's Dad In recent weeks there’s been speculation about the likelihood of a chilly weather front reaching the UK, but freezing conditions have already taken hold in Daisy’s world. This weekend, we had to free a penguin that had became trapped in the ice! Messy activities with Daisy are usually the highlight… Continue reading Free the penguin! Investigating ice with a preschool child
Why keep all those cardboard boxes? Construction and imaginative play
If you are looking for inexpensive play activities for a toddler then this one should definitely be on your list. You must remember a time when you gave a toddler a gift and once it was unwrapped they were more interested in the container than the contents. So take the lead from the child and… Continue reading Why keep all those cardboard boxes? Construction and imaginative play
Taking the summer reading challenge
Summer Reading Challenge When I went to the library I spotted their flyers for this summer's reading challenge for children and I had a flood of happy memories. Memories of school holidays as a parent, with regular library visits throughout the summer, with an avid reader aiming to achieve the summer's reading challenge. I had… Continue reading Taking the summer reading challenge
Discovering insects and other minibeasts
Daisy's interest in minibeasts recently started with a worm, wriggling across the palm of her hand. We'd spotted the worm while Daisy was exploring the compost in the garden. When we're outside with Daisy we often try to spot the wildlife in the garden and gradually we've been able to show her a butterfly… Continue reading Discovering insects and other minibeasts
More about the value of your local library
I’m continuing to use our local libraries to find a variety of books to share with Daisy. I’m selecting different types of books; board books, interactive books, books with flaps as well books with traditional pages. Where possible I also try to include a book that links with Daisy's current interests. So given Daisy's interest in… Continue reading More about the value of your local library
Messy play – bubbles and water play at home
'Water Mumma!' 'Bubbles Daddy!' Daisy very clearly asks for different play each morning and she frequently asks for water play; she is content to play with water in a variety of ways. None of the water play ideas needs any special equipment and can be set up indoors or outside. They all provide more messy play… Continue reading Messy play – bubbles and water play at home
Seasons – Springtime
We walked through the park with Daisy happily walking beside us and wearing her rucksack reins. But we had to keep stopping. Daisy just had to squat down to pick up and investigate the pale pink things on the path. Blossom It was a breezy lunchtime and the blossom was blowing from a nearby tree.… Continue reading Seasons – Springtime
The Lid on a Teapot: fine motor control, the world around her and early number.
Recently Daisy became really interested and wanted to help whenever Daddy made Mummy a cup of tea. Each time she signs 'Hot', says 'Tea' and 'Stir' as she reaches to help Daddy. So it was an obvious choice to purchase a little tea set for Daisy. Mummy then enhanced the play by making a simple… Continue reading The Lid on a Teapot: fine motor control, the world around her and early number.
Granny Smith's Diary 