With only 3 sleeps left until elves everywhere head back to the North Pole with Santa, you’re probably running low on ideas of what to do next.
To help, we’ve put together a list of 5 last-minute ‘Elf on the Shelf’ ideas that are quick and easy to put together.
Children are natural explorers, driven by curiosity. Why not channel this inquisitive energy into fun, safe, and educational experiments right at home? Here’s a dive into the world of DIY science that you can do with your kids.
Children are natural explorers, driven by curiosity. Why not channel this inquisitive energy into fun, safe, and educational experiments right at home? Here’s a dive into the world of DIY science that you can do with your kids.
1. Density Tower: Using household liquids like honey, dish soap, water, and oil, create layers in a glass to demonstrate the differences in their densities. Kids will marvel at how the liquids don’t mix!
2. Invisible Ink: Remember those secret messages we used to write as kids? Using lemon juice, write a message on paper, let it dry, and then hold it near a light bulb to see the message appear due to the oxidation of lemon juice.
3. Grow Your Crystals: With just salt or sugar, hot water, and a bit of patience, kids can grow their own dazzling crystals. Over days, they’ll observe the transformation of simple ingredients into intricate crystal structures.
4. Dancing Raisins: Pour soda into a clear glass and add a handful of raisins. Watch the carbon dioxide bubbles lift the raisins up and down, making it seem like they are dancing!
Safety First! While these experiments are designed to be safe, always supervise children and make sure they know not to ingest any of the materials.
Fostering scientific curiosity early on can lay the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. Plus, it’s a great way for families to bond over shared discoveries. So, don your lab coats, transform your kitchen into a lab, and let the experiments begin!
Ah, the holidays – a time of festivity, relaxation, and joy! But as most nannies and child carers know, it can also be a challenging period when it comes to keeping kids active, engaged, and away from the screen. With a bit of creativity and planning, you can turn this holiday downtime into memorable, active adventures. Here’s how:
Ah, the holidays – a time of festivity, relaxation, and joy! But as most nannies and child carers know, it can also be a challenging period when it comes to keeping kids active, engaged, and away from the screen. With a bit of creativity and planning, you can turn this holiday downtime into memorable, active adventures. Here’s how:
1. Explore the Great Outdoors:
2. Indoor Action:
3. Crafts with a Twist:
4. Enroll in Workshops or Classes: Many community centers or local organizations offer special holiday workshops ranging from pottery to basketball.
5. Cooking & Baking: Engaging kids in the kitchen not only keeps them active but also teaches them valuable life skills. Bake holiday-themed cookies or make a meal together.
6. Plan a Day Out: Museums, botanical gardens, zoos, or even just a day in a new town can keep kids walking, exploring, and learning.
7. Mindful Activities: Yoga or simple stretching exercises can be a fun way to keep kids active. Introducing them to mindfulness and basic meditation can also be a refreshing activity.
8. Engage in Group Games: Games like “Simon says”, “Duck, duck, goose”, or even a simple relay race can get their heart rates up.
9. DIY Projects: Building a birdhouse, sewing, or any DIY kit can keep those little hands and minds busy.
10. Set Screen Time Limits: It’s okay to allow some downtime with screens, but be sure to balance it with other activities.
Lastly, involve the children in planning. When they have a say in the day’s activity, they’re more likely to be enthusiastic participants. With a bit of imagination, the holidays can be an active, enjoyable time for kids, making your role as a nanny both fulfilling and fun.
Nature has always been a boundless playground, an irreplaceable teacher. The great outdoors offers children not just fresh air and physical activity, but also a vast world of discoveries, wonder, and invaluable life lessons. Here’s why and how you should indulge in outdoor learning with children:
Nature has always been a boundless playground, an irreplaceable teacher. The great outdoors offers children not just fresh air and physical activity, but also a vast world of discoveries, wonder, and invaluable life lessons. Here’s why and how you should indulge in outdoor learning with children:
1. Unleashing Curiosity: A walk in the woods or even a local park can stimulate a child’s senses. The colors, sounds, and textures are all new experiences waiting to be explored. Encourage questions about the trees, flowers, animals, and everything else they see.
2. Improving Physical Health: Climbing, running, or just strolling can do wonders for a child’s physical well-being. Nature challenges and enhances their agility, balance, and coordination.
3. Fostering Creativity: Nature is the most intricate canvas. Children can create stories, draw landscapes, or even come up with their own games inspired by the outdoors.
4. Building Responsibility: Caring for a plant or observing the consequences of littering helps children understand their impact on the environment, fostering a sense of responsibility.
5. Instilling Calmness: Nature has therapeutic effects. The tranquility of a serene lake or the rhythmic chirping of birds can calm an anxious mind and teach children the value of peace and mindfulness.
6. Science in Action: Children can see the concepts they learn in books come alive—photosynthesis, the water cycle, or even animal behavior, right before their eyes.
Steps to Begin Your Outdoor Learning Journey:
Remember, the primary goal is to let children enjoy, explore, and form their own connection with nature. It’s about the journey, not just the destination.
Reading is more than a fundamental skill; it’s a window to the world, opening the door to countless adventures, characters, and experiences. For children, developing a love of reading can inspire creativity, foster empathy, and lay a solid foundation for lifelong learning. As nannies, we play an integral role in fostering a love for reading, and here are some practical tips to make books a beloved part of a child’s life.
Reading is more than a fundamental skill; it’s a window to the world, opening the door to countless adventures, characters, and experiences. For children, developing a love of reading can inspire creativity, foster empathy, and lay a solid foundation for lifelong learning. As nannies, we play an integral role in fostering a love for reading, and here are some practical tips to make books a beloved part of a child’s life.
1. Make Reading Interactive
Interactive reading involves more than just reading the words on a page. Encourage children to engage with the story by asking questions, predicting what will happen next, or discussing the characters’ emotions and actions. This active involvement makes reading a dynamic, enjoyable experience and strengthens comprehension skills.
2. Create a Comfortable Reading Environment
A cosy corner with comfortable seating, good lighting, and a selection of books can create an inviting reading environment. It can be a special place for children to curl up with a book, fostering a positive association with reading.
3. Choose Age-Appropriate Books
The right book can make all the difference in fostering a love of reading. Ensure the books you choose are appropriate for the child’s age and reading level. Picture books are great for younger children, while older kids might enjoy chapter books or graphic novels. Remember, it’s about enjoying the story, not struggling through it.
4. Read Aloud Together
Reading aloud isn’t just for pre-readers. Even older children can benefit from listening to a story read aloud. It’s an opportunity to model fluent reading, discuss the text, and simply enjoy a story together. Plus, it can become a cherished part of your daily routine.
5. Lead by Example
Children often imitate adult behaviour. By showing your own enjoyment of reading, children are more likely to view it as a pleasurable activity. Talk about the books you love and share your enthusiasm for reading.
6. Incorporate Books into Play
Using books as a part of play can help children see reading as a fun, enjoyable activity. Act out stories, create art based on a book, or use a tale as a jumping-off point for imaginative play.
7. Visit Libraries and Bookstores
Libraries and bookstores can be magical places for children. Regular visits can introduce children to a variety of books, foster a sense of independence as they choose their own books, and help them see reading as an integral part of life.
By using these strategies, we can help children discover the joy of reading and the exciting worlds that books open up. As the late, great Dr. Seuss said, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Happy reading!
Routines are an integral part of our everyday lives. They provide us with a sense of security, help us manage our time efficiently, and aid in setting expectations. When it comes to children, establishing a consistent routine is particularly crucial. It offers them a framework for understanding the world, enhances their sense of security, and fosters crucial life skills. This blog post will explore the importance of routine in children’s lives and provide some practical tips for creating effective routines
Routines are an integral part of our everyday lives. They provide us with a sense of security, help us manage our time efficiently, and aid in setting expectations. When it comes to children, establishing a consistent routine is particularly crucial. It offers them a framework for understanding the world, enhances their sense of security, and fosters crucial life skills. This blog post will explore the importance of routine in children’s lives and provide some practical tips for creating effective routines.
Routines Offer Predictability and Security
Routines provide children with a sense of predictability and security. When children know what to expect, it reduces their anxiety about the unknown and provides them with a sense of control over their environment. Predictable routines can help children feel safe and secure in their world, which is particularly important during times of change or stress.
Routines Help Develop Essential Life Skills
Consistent routines also foster independence and responsibility in children. When tasks such as tidying up their toys, brushing their teeth, or dressing themselves are incorporated into a daily routine, children gradually learn to take responsibility for these tasks. Over time, they learn to manage these activities independently, contributing to their self-confidence and self-esteem.
Routines Support Healthy Habits
Routine plays a crucial role in establishing and maintaining healthy habits. Regular meal and snack times help children understand the importance of nutrition and ensure they receive a balanced diet. Regular physical activities encourage an active lifestyle, while a consistent sleep routine supports adequate rest and regeneration.
Routines Foster Time Management and Planning
Children who follow a routine learn important skills such as time management and forward planning. Understanding that certain activities are performed at specific times each day, like homework or bedtime, teaches children to plan ahead, anticipate what’s next, and prepare accordingly. These skills are essential for their academic success and future professional life.
Creating Effective Routines
Creating effective routines requires consistency, but it’s equally important to allow some flexibility. Children, just like adults, need some downtime and the opportunity for spontaneous activities. A rigid schedule with no room for spontaneous play or relaxation can lead to stress and resistance. Striking a balance between structure and flexibility is key.
Incorporate the essentials like meals, sleep, school, and homework into the routine first. Then, around these, build in time for physical activity, relaxation, and free play. Involve your child in the planning process wherever possible, as this can increase their commitment and make them feel valued.
Remember, the goal of a routine is not to control every minute of a child’s day but to provide them with a predictable and secure environment that promotes healthy development.
In conclusion, routines are far more than a series of tasks to be performed each day. They are an essential tool for providing children with a sense of security, fostering essential life skills, and promoting healthy habits. By creating a consistent, balanced routine, we provide our children with the structure they need to thrive.
Regenerate response
Getting children involved in gardening is a great way to spark their curiosity, teach them about nature, and foster a sense of responsibility. Not only does gardening provide fun, engaging activities, but it also offers numerous benefits that can impact children’s development positively. Here are some fun garden activities and the benefits that come with them:
1. Planting Seeds and Growing Plants
Starting with something as small as a seed and nurturing it into a plant can be a magical process for children. This activity can teach them patience, as they wait for the seed to sprout, and responsibility, as they care for the plant by watering it regularly.
2. Creating a Vegetable Garden
Let children have their own patch in the vegetable garden. They can grow easy plants like radishes, beans, or cherry tomatoes. This activity not only gives them a sense of ownership but also can lead to discussions about healthy eating and the importance of fresh produce.
3. Making a Bug Hotel
Creating a bug hotel is a wonderful way for children to learn about the small creatures that contribute to our ecosystem. They can use materials found around the garden, such as leaves, sticks, and pinecones, to create a cozy space for insects.
4. Setting up a Bird Feeder
Setting up a bird feeder and regularly filling it with seeds can attract a variety of birds to your garden. Children can learn about different bird species while understanding the importance of caring for wildlife.
5. Creating Art with Nature
Leaves, petals, stones can all be used to create beautiful artwork. This activity encourages creativity and helps children appreciate the beauty of nature.
Benefits of Gardening with Children
Gardening with children can be a fun, rewarding experience. It not only provides a platform for learning and development but also offers opportunities to create precious memories. So, pull on those wellies, grab a trowel, and start exploring the garden with your little ones!
Your child’s imagination is constantly evolving, and it’s important that you help to nurture it from birth and throughout their childhood.
By sparking your child’s imagination, you help to stimulate their brain which in time will allow them to dream and imagine new possibilities. More importantly, allowing your child to create their own imaginary situations can help with their speech, empathy, problem-solving, social skills, confidence and much more.
Here are a few activity examples to help develop your child’s imagination from a young age:
Continue reading “How to Encourage Your Child’s Imagination”
How many times have you picked your little one up from school, watched them wave goodbye to their teachers and friends with happy, smiling faces, only to turn to you with furrowed brows, crossed arms and a sullen temper?
If this is you, you’re not alone.
Let’s face it, even the least patriotic of us will be finding it hard at the moment to escape the media frenzy around the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June, and for those who do love a bit of classic English patriotism, why not get involved in your own creative way?! If you have toddlers or older children in your care, this is the perfect excuse to get their creative juices flowing, whilst teaching them a little bit about our monarchy at the same time!
Let’s face it, even the least patriotic of us will be finding it hard at the moment to escape the media frenzy around the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June, and for those who do love a bit of classic English patriotism, why not get involved in your own creative way?! If you have toddlers or older children in your care, this is the perfect excuse to get their creative juices flowing, whilst teaching them a little bit about our monarchy at the same time!
So, I hear you ask, what kind of things can we make?! Here are a few of our best ideas to keep children happy and creative in time Jubilee celebrations:
You will need:
This is a basic way of making bunting, so that little children can be involved as there is no material to stitch. Simply make a triangular template and get the children to draw around it onto the coloured card. Cut out the drawings and get the children to put them in order – red, white, blue, red, white, blue and so on. Fold about a centimetre of the top of the triangles over the string, and attach down on one side with a piece of Sellotape. Do this all the way along your string, and then attach the bunting either inside or outside the house! This is a fantastic exercise for fine motor skills, as well as recognising shapes and colours for children.
You will need:
Glue the length of tin foil on top of the length of cardboard, matching the bottom edges up, so that there is an inch extra of foil at the top. Now, cut zig zags into the foil all the way along the top, giving a crown effect of lots of points going across the top. Now it’s time to really have some fun and decorate, using glue, glitter, crayons or stickers, let your little ones go to town on their individual crown decoration on top of the tin foil. When the decorations have dried, make a ring with the crown and staple each end together, to fit over the child’s head.
What you need:
For the icing:
Adding to the ideas we’ve given, why not try making some red, white and blue pompoms, or get some plain white serviettes and get the children to colour some red and blue onto them, or even onto a plain white paper tablecloth. There are hours of fun to be had, all in the name of Queen and country – have fun!
