Today Date Triggered Content

We know the first five years of your child’s life lay the foundations for the rest of it. Last month, we saw new research by scientists at Birbeck, University of London and the University of Surrey that found toddlers’ fine motor skills were associated with GCSE results.^[1,2]

You have been tracking your child’s fine motor skills in the app, and you’ll know these involve controlling the movements of smaller muscles, such as those in our fingers and toes.  

As the nights draw in, and your child is more likely to have time to enjoy the dark evenings before bedtime, it can feel like the opportunities for play start to vanish. No more evening trips to the park, or walks before bed, and less time to get energy out in the afternoon as the gloom sets in earlier and earlier.... but there is a lot of magic in the dusk and dark!  

We’ve created a list of items we find really useful to have on hand for these dark evenings – as well as the usual play kit objects we shared earlier in the year, which you can find linked at the end of this article, in case you missed out.  

All our activities use things you’re likely to have at home or just outside your front door, and we shared our summer play kit last month which answered the question, “What do you think I have at home?” This month we thought we’d share some suggestions for a play kit that makes the most of the changing season, with our suggestions for an Autumn play kit.  

If you have any suggestions you’d add to the list, let us know on our Facebook community. 

The book Flow: The Psychology of Happiness by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi was published in 2002.^[1] Since its publication finding ways to achieve flow has been the focus of research in everything from sport to workplace performance, and recently in parenting.  

Flow is achieved when you’re fully involved in what you’re doing, to the point where you don’t notice time passing. Activities where you experience flow feel good!  

A blanket under the dining table, a sheet over the washing line, or simply a box big enough to sit inside becomes magical when you make this your den. Just having their morning snack in it might be something your child remembers for years – we've got some ideas to get you started.  

Younger and older children playing together 

If you have both younger and older children, having their own separate den or cosy corner might be best.  

It’s all too easy to find yourself drawn in to feeling you need more expensive or elaborate toys, or even simple ones, especially when you’re feeling a bit lost for something to do. But the best memories and most important skills are often built from the everyday things we do.  

This summer we're celebrating all the ways that play is brilliant for development, mental health and social connections – for children but also for parents. And we want to make sure it's all as free, or cheap, as possible so your family can focus on the fun to be had, without barriers to get there.