For children of a certain age, wooden train sets are mesmerising. The rhythmic sound of the wheels clicking over the joins in the track, the whoosh of acceleration as the train rolls down slopes. Even the smell of the wood is calming. There’s nothing surprising about the train’s route. There can be no sudden detours, […]
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When the first Covid lockdown happened, the first thing I did was try to buy lots of flour. I’ve got four young children but my first instinct wasn’t to feed them – I was worried we were going to run out of playdough! Playdough is the go-to material in the 100 Toys house when we want calm,
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Play is the most important thing a child can do. Bringing home a paper plate face with button eyes and a piece of string for the mouth might make you feel like your pre-schooler has achieved something today. But it was accomplished at the expense of freely-chosen activities. Author Erika Christakis argues in her book,
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Messy play may sound like a terrible idea when you’re already battling the regular mess that comes with toddlers. But done the right way, it doesn’t have to mean too much damage, and you’ll really reap the rewards. Messy play ignites cognitive development in young children and gives them a chance to independently explore, make
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Den-making is big in – you guessed it – Scandinavia, where it is an integral part of the forest school experience. Time spent building a den gives children a glimpse of independence, a chance to create a space away from the prying eyes of over-protective parents that is all theirs. A kingdom of their own,
What’s the best way to hold a pencil? The answer varies depending on age but it’s helpful to develop a functional grip by the time school starts. For a toddler, it’s often with a balled fist or all five fingers arranged in an impromptu combination. Exactly how they hold it doesn’t matter at this stage.
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It’s easy to get caught up in the academic preparations for starting school, but just as important as literacy and numeracy is the idea of self-care. What we mean by that, in this early-years context, is does your child have the skills and know-how they need to face the challenges a school day presents? This
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Being able to guide hand movements with your eyes is a vital skill, and not just in sport. Hand-writing, reading, playing with construction toys and making almost anything, requires hand-eye co-ordination. The more you can work on developing this key skill, the more confidence your pre-schooler will have in their own ability to master new
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Find it hard to believe an easel is essential? It’s actually a brilliant piece of equipment to have around, for many more reasons than painting. Easels encouage children’s wrists to bend upwards, in the same way they do for writing. Standing at an easel is also good for upper arm and shoulder strength, which in
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Human beings, especially children, are drawn to light. The way it changes colour and creates shadows, emphasises shape and form can be mesmerising. Playing with light and shadow can help children create new ideas, ask questions and test theories. It’s also a good way to develop focus and concentration, that sense of being lost in
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