Problem Solving

Where possible allow children to solve simple problems. This type of learning is character building for children. It gives them the opportunity to experience success so next time your child is faced with a problem try and avoid launching in and solving it yourself.

Set Attainable Goals

Raise the bar and your child will probably stretch to meet it. Most children try to live up to the expectations we set for them. Constantly set reachable goals for your child and watch as they develop into intelligent and active young people.

Join the Public library

There is a huge range of books and resources which are generally free to loan. Research shows children who are familiar with books and print in the early years are much more likely to have success with reading and writing when they reach school.  

 

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Repetition

Doing things over and over again with your baby strengthens brain connections and prepares them for a lifetime of learning. Repetition is the key to opening new learning experiences.

Keep it Interesting

Introduce new opportunities for play and exploration for your baby. Toys should be safe, interesting and with a variety of sounds, textures and colours.

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Tactile Play Recipies 

Slime

Mix and cool:

  • 4 cups boiling water
  • 1 cup Lux flakes
    • Add food colouring and essences or essential oils (eg peppermint or almond) 

GLOOP

  • Put 2 cups cornflour into a bowl.
  • Slowly add 1 cup cold water, stirring constantly stopping when the water is barely absorbed by the cornflour.
  • The resulting solution is fascinating to play with. It can be scooped up with the fingers as a mouldable material, but flows like liquid back into the bowl.
  • It will brush off clothing as a dry powder.

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Shaving Cream 

  • Beat: 1 cup Lux flakes
  • ½ cup boiling water
  • Add 1 cup warm water and a few drops of glycerine

Natural Sand Cement

  • 1 part sand
  • 1 part flour
    • Mix with water to paste consistency Use for collage eg pour into container and make a garden using natural materials – leaves, twigs, pine cones etc Dries hard

Magic Mud

  • 3 tablespoons cornflour
  • Add a little water (enough to make mixture form into a ball)
  • Add a few drops of food colouring.
  • Mix on the table.
  • Changes consistency depending on amount of water

    • Finger Paint or Paper Maché Glue

  • ½ cup cornflour
  • 1 – 4 cups water
  • Optional colouring
  • Mix cornflour with a little water. Add remaining water and heat until it is a custard thickness

Bubbles

  • 1 cup dishwashing liquid
  • 12 cups water
  • 1 – 2 tablespoons washing powder
  • Mix

Playdough

  • 1 cup salt
  • 4 tbspn oil
  • 2 tspn cream of tartar
  • 4 cups boiling water
  • colouring
  • then add and stir in
  • 4 cups flour
    • Knead. (This recipe can be halved) Handy hint, Pour boiling water in straight after it has boiled. Add colouring to one of the cups of water

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