Today Date Triggered Content

You're probably already familiar with our aim to help parents enjoy, understand and support their child's development.  

We often say our activities use things you have in your kitchen cupboard (or just outside the front door), but we’ve been asked, “What do you actually think is in my kitchen cupboard?” So, we thought it might be useful to make a list of some of the things we try to keep on hand – a bit like the store cupboard essentials you’d have in a recipe book... this is your store cupboard for play this summer.  

If you have anything you’d add to the list, share your ideas in our Facebook community.  

Summer holidays are in full swing across the UK, and this might mean you’re suddenly in charge of entertaining multiple children (of very different ages). With the days and weeks stretching out in front of you it can seem impossible to find activities which will entertain them all – and that’s where we come in. Over the summer months we will share articles all about adapting simple, joyful play for children of all ages so you can focus on the important things.  

This week we’re splashing into summer with ideas for water play! 

There is a saying that goes ‘If your children are starting to climb the walls, remove the walls and play with water’. This is because water play can entertain and engage children of all ages, but also has therapeutic qualities which mean that is helps to calm, regulate and ground children in a way that other play opportunities do not.  

Your child’s senses are stimulated by everyday life, whether that’s feeling rain on their cheek, recognising the smell of their favourite meal, or simply watching light shining through a curtain. The activities at sensory groups often focus on a specific sense or two and give you time playing together, so our ideas will help you do this at home when classes are closed for summer!   

See if any of your friends from your group want to join you for some summer play – you could take it in turns to suggest an idea, and make sure you include time to catch up too!  

"You don't have to pay loads of money and go on massive trips to make memories this summer." 

On this week’s podcast episode, My First Five Years co-founders Jennie and Alistair talk about the pressures summer can bring.

Meeting up with friends and their children can be a great way to pass some time while all your usual classes are cancelled. But young children are still learning about how to get along with each other so these meet ups can feel stressful – we have some ideas that might help.  

What to try 

Baby classes and groups can be a lifesaver, giving you a pattern to your week and some adult conversation. When you realise they stop for the summer holiday, you might wonder how you’re going to fill the days – don't worry, your app will help.  

You probably look for baby classes or groups you think your child will enjoy, but there is also a lot to be said for these groups as a way to meet other parents and have a conversation with another adult.  

Anyone who was pregnant or gave birth during lockdown knows it was a different and sometimes difficult experience. There have been various headlines since then about the impact of lockdown on children’s development, as if you need something else to feel guilty about. We noticed another at the weekend, but what has it really found? 

At the weekend we saw this headline – ‘Children born in pandemic have poorer communication skills, study finds’.^[1]

You might have heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” but for lots of different reasons we don’t always feel we’ve got a village – especially in the early days of parenting.

In the app, you’ll find lots of ideas to support your child’s development, and more information if you are interested in understanding the science behind their skills.

Have you ever had a comment along the lines of, “They’re only little, they can start learning when they get to school.” We know how important early childhood is for your child’s future learning, wellbeing, and health, and you’ve probably chosen the app because you know too! But not everyone realises just how important these early years are, and that can lead to some interesting conversations.  

We thought we’d look at what the Royal Foundation for Early Childhood found about public attitudes in the United Kingdom this year. The brilliant news is that more people than last year recognise how important early childhood is, but there is still a way to go!