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Welcome to the My First Five Years Blog. Here you will find all sorts of information, ideas and activities that will help you to support your child.

Sensory play kit

Your child uses their senses to understand the world around them and to learn about objects. During their first five years they’ll begin to master combining information from their senses, which is an important foundation for learning and well-being.

We’ve separated our ideas into different senses, but many of the items will stimulate more than one. During sensory play, take a moment to step back and think about which senses your baby, toddler or child is using.

8 min read Read Now

Seasonal,
activities

Get ideas for the last weekend of our dark nights play kit

Festive lights are beginning to appear and now it’s dark early, a late afternoon walk could be the perfect activity for babies, toddlers or children.

For all children something as simple as a walk after dark gives them lots of new experiences, which can feel magical and give you the chance to use lots of new words – which helps your child’s vocabulary to grow.

2 min read Read Now

Language,
activities,
communication

Let's talk - activities and ideas!

First smiles, first babbles, first words... they’re all exciting milestones because you get to see your baby or child communicate. You know that those early smiles, coos and babbles are times of connection and so won’t be surprised that learning to talk is about much more than first words.

We’ve put a round up of all our articles about talk and communication at the bottom of your Today screen. We’ll leave them there for a while, so you have lots of time to read them. And we thought for this weekend’s play ideas, we’d focus on supporting your little one’s communication.

2 min read Read Now

“There’s a saying that it takes a village to bring a baby up, and it actually does.”

Becoming a parent brings big changes in your life, and working out how to adapt takes everyone a bit of time. But having the right support around you can make a difference, whether that’s friends and family or a workplace culture which supports parents.

On 6th November, the Fawcett Society and Total Jobs published research into the experiences of new mothers as they returned to work following maternity leave. The study found many face difficulties at this time.^[1]

2 min read Read Now

Christmas

Let your traditions grow

Waiting for the Christmas ads has become an annual event in itself, and this year’s from John Lewis is all about traditions. We aren’t suggesting you run out to find a giant venus flytrap (if you’ve seen it, you’ll know what we mean!) but it’s a reminder that you can make your own traditions – and break those which don’t bring you joy.

Think about your experience of traditions as you approach the festive season. If they fill you with dread, it’s time to take a step back and review them.

6 min read Read Now

Reading,
Book review,
Seasonal

Tips for reading and sharing stories on dark nights

Lots of what we see about learning to read focuses on phonics – and this is important. But enjoying books is the key to a lifetime of reading, and unlocking a vast array of ideas and knowledge.

Parents who look at books with their children are described as transforming attitudes to reading.^[1] Much of that transformation is connected to the warm, positive emotions of cuddling up together to enjoy a story.

5 min read Read Now

Seasonal,
activities,
Autumn

Firework Fun

Love them or loathe them you probably can’t avoid fireworks at this time of year. So we thought we’d give you a few firework-inspired play ideas this week to make the most of firework season.

The first thing to think about is how a new experience, like seeing fireworks, can inspire conversation. If you missed yesterday’s article about using bonfire night to encourage talk, you’ll find the link at the bottom of this article.

2 min read Read Now

Play Ideas,
Autumn

Cosy nights in

If you’re wondering how to keep your little one entertained during these longer evenings, we’ve got some ideas for you.

As always, we’ve separated our ideas into baby, toddler and child – have a look and pick the things you know your child will love. Each of these ideas could be adapted according to your child’s skills – even tummy time, which can be a great way of developing core strength for toddlers and children as well as babies.

7 min read Read Now

Parenting Tips,
toys

Get ideas to help you decide which toys (if any!) to buy

According to Statista the average annual spend on toys in the United Kingdom in 2019 was £299.^[1] When taking into account gifts as well as toys bought by members of the household, another survey suggested the average spend per child per year was £750.^[2] If you’re thinking about spending a bit less this year, or just want to get good quality toys for your child, read on.

The Toys That Inspire Mindful Play and Nurture Imagination (TIMPANI) study was a research study that took place from 2010 until 2019 in America.

4 min read Read Now

Parenting Tips

“I’m scared”

Dark nights, fireworks and fancy dress can trigger fear in some children. It can be hard to know how to support your child if they feel afraid, so we’ve investigated the research and put together a few tips.

Fear can be a useful emotion, as feeling afraid helps us to stay safe. But we also need to learn how to regulate fear, as we do all other emotions, so we have the right level for each situation.

4 min read Read Now

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Sensory play kit

Your child uses their senses to understand the world around them and to learn about objects. During their first five years they’ll begin to master combining information from their senses, which is an important foundation for learning and well-being.

Get ideas for the last weekend of our dark nights play kit

Festive lights are beginning to appear and now it’s dark early, a late afternoon walk could be the perfect activity for babies, toddlers or children.

Let's talk - activities and ideas!

First smiles, first babbles, first words... they’re all exciting milestones because you get to see your baby or child communicate. You know that those early smiles, coos and babbles are times of connection and so won’t be surprised that learning to talk is about much more than first words.

“There’s a saying that it takes a village to bring a baby up, and it actually does.”

Becoming a parent brings big changes in your life, and working out how to adapt takes everyone a bit of time. But having the right support around you can make a difference, whether that’s friends and family or a workplace culture which supports parents.

Let your traditions grow

Tips for reading and sharing stories on dark nights

Lots of what we see about learning to read focuses on phonics – and this is important. But enjoying books is the key to a lifetime of reading, and unlocking a vast array of ideas and knowledge.

Firework Fun

Love them or loathe them you probably can’t avoid fireworks at this time of year. So we thought we’d give you a few firework-inspired play ideas this week to make the most of firework season.

Cosy nights in

If you’re wondering how to keep your little one entertained during these longer evenings, we’ve got some ideas for you.

Get ideas to help you decide which toys (if any!) to buy

“I’m scared”

Dark nights, fireworks and fancy dress can trigger fear in some children. It can be hard to know how to support your child if they feel afraid, so we’ve investigated the research and put together a few tips.

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Trending

All in one place: using the potty or toilet

Autumn play kit

Dark nights play kit

50 books to read before you're five

Winter playkit

Christmas gift guides

All in one place - supporting your child's emotions and behaviour

Noisy playkit

Latest Posts

Sensory play kit

Your child uses their senses to understand the world around them and to learn about objects. During their first five years they’ll begin to master combining information from their senses, which is an important foundation for learning and well-being.

Get ideas for the last weekend of our dark nights play kit

Festive lights are beginning to appear and now it’s dark early, a late afternoon walk could be the perfect activity for babies, toddlers or children.

Let's talk - activities and ideas!

First smiles, first babbles, first words... they’re all exciting milestones because you get to see your baby or child communicate. You know that those early smiles, coos and babbles are times of connection and so won’t be surprised that learning to talk is about much more than first words.

“There’s a saying that it takes a village to bring a baby up, and it actually does.”

Becoming a parent brings big changes in your life, and working out how to adapt takes everyone a bit of time. But having the right support around you can make a difference, whether that’s friends and family or a workplace culture which supports parents.

Let your traditions grow

Tips for reading and sharing stories on dark nights

Lots of what we see about learning to read focuses on phonics – and this is important. But enjoying books is the key to a lifetime of reading, and unlocking a vast array of ideas and knowledge.

Firework Fun

Love them or loathe them you probably can’t avoid fireworks at this time of year. So we thought we’d give you a few firework-inspired play ideas this week to make the most of firework season.

Cosy nights in

If you’re wondering how to keep your little one entertained during these longer evenings, we’ve got some ideas for you.

Get ideas to help you decide which toys (if any!) to buy

“I’m scared”

Dark nights, fireworks and fancy dress can trigger fear in some children. It can be hard to know how to support your child if they feel afraid, so we’ve investigated the research and put together a few tips.