Tell us about your family I’m married and live in London with my wife and four children aged 7, 6, 4 & 2. I run One Hundred Toys from home and, like most families, we are engaged in the constant juggling of work and childcare. We have a lot of early starts. What are the […]
100 Toys Talks To… Alexis Ralphs Read More »
Children using real tools is a nerve-wracking prospect for parents. But there are some very real benefits for children in using these seemingly hazardous items, not only in the practical sense, but also in terms of self-esteem, confidence and other characteristics, such as perseverance. As grown-ups, we automatically expect the worst – give a child
Children Using Real Tools Read More »
Teacher and mum-of-two Katie Walden tell us why she’s passionate about stories for children, and how they boost learning and creativity Whatever your age, stories can be motivating, enlightening and inspirational. Even as an adult, I’m still amazed at how a good author can draw me into a book, so that I feel that I
The Power of Storytelling Read More »
Learning to write is a broad subject, which asks children to combine mechanical skills like letter formation and handwriting, with intellectual and imaginative ones like punctuation, spelling, grammar and creative writing. It’s a lot for a small person to take on board! As this is a series on starting school, we’ll focus mainly on pen
Learn to write with these simple games and activities Read More »
Transitions are a part of life, even for the very young: from birth and starting nursery, to changing jobs and moving house. As adults we have been through enough of these changes to have some idea of what a new situation feels like and how we will cope with it. Children starting school do not
A starting school scrapbook | Banish first-day nerves Read More »
Free-range children – and their parents – can often get a bad press. The term has come to be associated with a kind of laissez-faire parental attitude, that turns a blind eye to bad behaviour and lets entitled children roam around outside unsupervised, putting them in danger and causing mayhem wherever they go. It’s ironic,
Happy, confident children play outdoors Read More »
We love Lego. Our children, like almost all the children we know, have spent many blissfully quiet hours engrossed in Lego construction, both building the pre-designed sets and making their own imagined structures, from spaceships and houses to robots and riding schools. Duplo is Lego’s baby brother. The larger pieces are easier to put together
The magic of Lego and Duplo Read More »
Ostheimer make some of the most special toys we offer. The company was founded by Walter and Adeline Ostheimer in Germany in the 1930s Germany, and the ethos behind their products remains the same almost a century later. The child’s imagination is at the heart of every toy they make. Ostheimer Wild Animals on Parade
Ostheimer wooden animals and figures [An introduction] Read More »
Our children’s first few months are such a precious time. We want to hold on to the newness – they’ll never be this young again. The sleepless nights seem eternal and yet three months race by in the blink of an eye. But time passes and as they grow, our babies become stronger and more
Babies don’t need toys Read More »
Why is your child so captivated by her reflection in the mirror. It turns out that babies love looking at human faces, including their own, and playing with mirrors can offer a host of developmental benefits. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind babies’ fascination with mirrors and how mirror play can contribute to
Why do babies love mirrors? Read More »