Find out all about challenging behaviour
In this week's podcast, you’ll hear why your child repeatedly throws food on the floor, what to do when your child won’t share or grabs another child’s toy, why the naughty step should be given the heave-ho and why giving your child their preferred cup is so important! Our early childhood experts Alistair Bryce-Clegg and Jennie Johnson discuss challenging behaviour in young children and give five parenting hacks to support your child.
We've launched a toy range
We’ve been working on this range for many, many months and are thrilled to have these toys ready for you in time for Christmas. From marvellously mirrored stacking doughnuts to smooth, wooden stacking rings, each item has been thoughtfully designed to support your child’s development.
Check out the My First Five Years gift guides for presents your children will love
Children don’t need much to be happy and playful, but parents, grandparents and family members often enjoy buying Christmas presents for little ones. With this in mind, we’ve created the My First Five Years gift guides.
With separate guides especially for babies, toddlers and older children, they are packed full of gift ideas your children will love, that will really last, and that won’t end up at the bottom of a box by January.
Five tips for starting childcare
1. Go to or past your childcare provider lots of times before they start
Children can feel gently reassured by a familiar routine and so walking them to the new place is a fantastic way for them to feel more comfortable about it. Talk to them about all the fun and exciting things they might do there.
What to make of the news about polio vaccine boosters for children in London
The UK Health Security Agency has announced that, because of concerns about traces of the polio virus that has been found in some sewage treatment centres, all children aged 1 to 9 years old in London will be offered a polio vaccine. This is big news in the UK and we know the headlines are worrying, so we have looked into the current information available to see what it might mean for parents.
A Squash and a Squeeze by Julia Donaldson
A Squash and a Squeeze is a fun and hilarious story all about a lady who seeks the help of a wise old man when she feels like she has no room in her home. Featuring a chicken, a cow, a goat and more, this is a great tale for children who love farm animals.
Where can children eat free this summer?
With the rise in living expenses on our minds, there’s a tricky balance to find between keeping costs down while having fun with your child and making the most of your time together this summer. During the school summer holidays, many cafés and restaurants offer free or discounted meals for children. We’ve created a list, with details on how to claim.
Creativity can save the world - celebrate it this summer
When we think of creativity, we might imagine paint palettes and canvas, dance, or rich stories, but creativity extends far beyond these things. A creative person is a flexible thinker, who can think of new ideas or follow thoughts to discover new things. Creativity involves solving problems, inventing, experimenting and reshaping our expectations.
Easy cheesy - perfect summer pinwheel wraps
Who doesn’t love a picnic on a summer’s day? These pinwheels are a fun and simple snack you can make with your child, perfect for summery days and lunchboxes alike. You can easily swap any ingredients you don’t like for those you prefer.
What is 'baby talk' and where is it used?
Have you ever noticed how adults change their pitch when talking to babies? They might speak more slowly with a higher pitch, and use a more ‘sing-song' tone. This is known as ‘'baby talk’, and can support listening and understanding for young children. It is also known as infant-directed speech, and new research has looked at how it varies globally.
