Most families have some clothes they never wear at the back of the cupboard. It might be an old coat, a hat, or a jumper.

Children love dressing up and trying things on. Especially things that don’t fit well (a huge hat can keep them laughing all morning), or that help them imagine.

You don’t need to buy expensive costumes. A blanket can become a cloak, a knotted scarf a pirate’s hat

There is a lot of learning going on. Children try out different roles, different versions of themselves. Being brave as a soldier, or caring as a nurse.

And there is lots you can do to deepen the learning just by talking about what you see, and adding vocabulary. “What a scary ghost!”

Think of all the different surfaces and textures you encounter every day

There is the cold, smooth feel of a saucepan; Or the hard but also giving feel of a packet of pasta.  Or the way different temperatures of water feel, or frozen peas, or the squidge of a cushion

You’d be amazed how long your child can be happy playing about with some pasta shapes on a table top or the floor (you’ll need to decide whether you can cook with them later, probably not!).  Or making some mud shapes and pies outdoors in a bucket or a puddle.

But also how much they can learn.  Not just about how the world feels, and the different shapes.  It also develops their finger and hand skills – very important for helping you cook the pasta, but also the foundation of later writing and all that comes with that!

Anything will do.  If you can set up a sand or a water tray, fine.  But just exploring some of the things you have around is just as good.  If you can chat with them about what they feel and help them compare, then even better.

Don’t worry about mess (although do plan where and how you are going to make the mess).  Your child will enjoy, and learn from, helping you tidy up and getting everyone clean again.

Keep an eye out for safety and don’t let under-5’s explore small things independently in case they try to swallow them!

Every day we make hundreds of choices without even noticing – getting out of bed, having another cup of coffee, or deciding the potatoes are probably done

What adults forget is that children need to learn to choose.  Otherwise we get stuck, or flit about, or feel out of control

So today’s post is all about how to be choosy.  Offer your child small choices they can manage.  “Do you want apple or banana?”  “Show me how much milk you want”

And look at what toys etc you have out.  Is there so much it is hard for your child to choose what to do, so they keep changing?  Or are they making a mess looking for the one thing they want?  Can you help them say what it is, and to find it?

A great place for learning to choose is outdoors.  There is so much interesting to do, to look at and to chat about.  So if the day seems to be getting stuck, get the coat and wellies on and out you go!

It is sometimes easy to feel that the work of feeding children is never done

No sooner have they claimed they don’t have room for another bit of veg, than they want a snack

As well as fuel, snacks are great ways to learn.  Here are just two things:

Chatting!

It’s a good chance for a chat.  Sitting next to each other, or at the table, is a great way to talk.  Doesn’t matter what about, let your child lead and respond to what they have to say

You can find some tips for chatting here if you want to know more

Helping!

The second thing?  Preparing the snack develops those fine motor skills.  Maybe they can help lay out the things, or stirring.  Or have a go at cutting some fruit or veg, or opening the packet.  It might take longer or need a bit of tidying up, but it pays back in learning and in being together

A bonus bit of maths

OK, a third thing!  Putting out one cup for each person, or one spoon for every plate is a brilliant foundation for later maths.  It’s called one-to-one correspondence and is used eventually in counting and even in algebra

Tastes good, too

Most homes have a cushion or two, some blankets or a duvet cover.  Very comfortable, but also brilliant ways for young children to learn

Feeling bad?  Give the cushion a good hug.  Squeeze it as hard as you can, it doesn’t mind.

Feeling overwhelmed?  Make a den out of a sheet and a broom handle, or a pile of cushions.  It can be a place to chill out, feel safe, read a book or watch what everyone else is up to!

Feeling bored?  How many times can you wrap a sheet or blanket around yourself.  How many times round your mum or dad?  They can count along with you.  Oh, and don’t forget to spin as you unwind it

So we’ve learned about feelings and how to cope, about building things and a little science and maths too.  Not bad for a rainy day