early help for children from 0 to 7
Who would have thought your home was full of treasure!
And treasure that can help your child learn all about exploring, how to be curious, how to count and categorise and how to learn about stories and history
This is a really simple game that all the family can play, and that grandparents or others can join in on Skype or FaceTime or similar
The trick is you have to use a really, really, really small treasure chest
Today we have a story about a dog who really tries his best
But it just does not go his way. Cakes are so tasty, and mud such fun to dig!
It’s a lovely story to read along with your child and enjoy
While you do this, they will be learning words, how stories work, how to make predictions (science!) and how to have fun by sharing experiences
And you can have some interesting chats about when we are naughty and it is OK to do our best even if we get things wrong sometimes. (Clue – yes, it is)
Or if you just want the story, it is here, with thanks to the Book Trust
What if there was a way, by just playing and having fun, we could help children learn more words, build concentration and develop more ideas and concepts? A way that involves no effort at all?
There is! And this is where the Question Mark Muncher can help.
Children get asked so many questions! But they don’t actually learn that much from them.
Instead, if we make comments and say what we see – and then wait for and build on their responses – then they learn a lot and the play is even more fun for everyone.
So today’s idea is just to play. But to be careful with questions. This can be very tricky for adults as we are often in the habit of asking lots of them.
But help is at hand …
For more information about the ideas behind this, click for Words Up posters
If you are lucky enough to get your hands on some water balloons here are some ideas for indoor and outdoor play. Some children might be worried initially about getting wet so there are some tips below to help them join in. Others will love to get everyone wet – so plan before you play and have fun!
As well as being fun, messing about with water balloons is great to building attention skills, learning new words, and also about sequences – this is really good for maths and writing later on.
Some children really don’t like the feel of being wet, so these ideas may help:
Off on a journey in a little rowing boat – who will we meet?
This simple song has movements you can do together. It is very soothing, and helps children learn all about rhymes and words, as well as how to coordinate movement with another.
You can add your own to each verse – who knows where you will end up today!
Some people love sorting the recycling – for others it is a boring chore
Everyone can have fun if your child joins in and helps you.
Not only does this give you some time together, there is a lot they can learn from it. About how the world works, what happens to our rubbish, why recycling is important
And also about sorting and sequencing, counting, talking and listening
You never know, they may be able to take it over and do it for you soon!
You don’t need expensive equipment to make music. Any household object has a playful tune in it if only we look or listen hard enough.
Music can express our deepest feelings and draw us together as families and communities
It is also an excuse to make a racket and have fun!
Today’s idea is all about children playing with rhythm and different sounds. Without even realising, this will develop their coordination and attention skills
It is also a great way to feel close, take turns and enjoy being together
Almost anything can be a musical instrument – some ideas in the sheet below. Make sure you keep an eye on your child so they are playing safely!
As we all know at the moment, life has its ups and downs. Do you ever wonder how we learned to cope with them?
Schools are on holiday in Highland, so this week’s ideas are all about playing and fun.
But Snakes and Ladders is also a great way to understand numbers and how to count. At the same time, we learn how to cope with setbacks (even funny ones). And the whole family can play and feel together at this time.
Already know how to play? You’ll find some ideas here to make it more fun (and amuse your child for longer) by making your own board – or taking it outside and being “living pieces”!
What do we learn by looking in a mirror?
Children can learn all kinds of things. They learn about themselves, their expressions and emotions. About how other people look and feel.
And it can be fun to see how different things look in a mirror. We can dress up, see how things reflect “backwards”. All the time we are learning science through play and chatting about what we see.
You might be an opera singer or an undiscovered Rod Stewart, or have a voice like a rusty door – your child will still love to sing with you!
Rhymes and songs are great for learning. They make us feel good and forget our worries for a bit. But also, they help children understand about patterns, words and sounds
Every story has a pattern to it, so you will be preparing your child for a lifetime of successful reading and writing. As well as having a laugh and some fun
Not sure of the tune or the words? Click here for a funny version by the BBC
Don’t like farm animals? Pick any – the more the better!
Thank you for visiting our website!
Playing and talking together, having fun, a listening ear and loving kindness – that’s all our young children need from us to learn and develop right now. This website has lots of ideas for play and learning, or for if you have concerns about a child’s development too.
These pages are created by people living and working in the Highlands of Scotland, but everyone is welcome to use them. You can find out more about us using the About menu
If you are looking for ideas how to help young children learn at home through play, scroll down! Or search using the tags.
If you are looking for more general information about early child development and how to support this, then please use the menus above, or go to this link
Children love playing with water, whether it’s splashing in puddles or in the bath. Not only is it great fun but they can learn so much through ‘skiddling’!
Todays ‘daily tip’ helps children learn about floating, sinking and so much more using everyday items.
Have fun!
Almost anything you do with your child will help develop their literacy.
Through conversations with you, they can learn new words and how to use them. There is a link below to show four key things that really help
Playing and helping you with tasks in the home develops your child’s movement and coordination, which will help with their handwriting. They can make marks and draw pictures to show their ideas. You can let them “help” when you are reading or writing – such as a shopping list or a TV programme guide
The most important thing you can do with your child is to share and enjoy stories, songs and rhymes together.
Look out for more posts on literacy at home!
Did you know that helping you sort the clean clothes can be good for your child’s maths? Or that it helps them learn how to concentrate or learn new words?
This idea is all about how to turn a bothersome daily chore into something you might enjoy together
As with everything, don’t feel you have to, and don’t force your child. Stop when you’ve both had enough!
Please don’t go out and buy lots of expensive equipment, apps or toys or feel you have to provide your child with endless worksheets. These might be heavily marketed during this time, but your child can learn very well just from ordinary toys, story books, everyday objects and going out and about.
Sometimes the most educational object is the cardboard box, not the expensive toy it came in. Time playing with you is more valuable than anything else for learning and development.
And you don’t have to spend ages planning learning opportunities. The everyday life of your home has lots of ways to learn like matching socks, laying the table, preparing food, making lists, looking after pets, counting money and so on and so on.
We will be posting lots of ideas in the next few weeks to support this – and you will think of even better ones yourself, so please share them through commenting!
bumps to bairns 