Press pause and take a moment together and meditate together
Your child needs to move and will often be in motion as they explore their world and develop their brain, but they are also developing the balance and focus needed to keep their body still. Now they’re able to enjoy being still for short periods of time you could try having a moment of mindfulness together by meditating.
Meditation is a big concept, especially for a child, but at its core it means taking the time to be still and reflect.
Routine habits – feel empowered to make changes for your wellbeing
Becoming a new parent comes with all kinds of information from a myriad of sources. Advice is everywhere and it can become difficult to remember what you think about your life. But recognising everyday habits and making small, positive changes to these can help to bring back some clarity.
Luna Loves Art by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Fiona Lumbers
It’s a school trip today, and Luna is getting ready to go to the art gallery with her class and teachers. Everyone is excited, but one of the children from Luna’s class, Finn, doesn’t look excited. This story is beautifully illustrated, gives lots of opportunities to chat about art works and shows the importance of friendship.
During their day at the art gallery, Luna and the rest of the class look at the art, they draw, and visit the shop.
The art of conversation – more about the skills your child needs to master to communicate
Your child is developing their social and language skills now and becoming a brilliant communicator. What do they need in order to have a conversation?
You will notice your child is including more information when talking to other people. They are thinking about what the person already knows and what information they need to share so the other person understands them.
What Happened to You? Written by James Catchpole, illustrated by Karen George
James Catchpole has written this tremendous children’s book about a group of children who meet in the park. The main character, Joe, has one leg. He is busy being a pirate and trying to catch a shark when his play is interrupted by the question “What happened to you?”
This book puts you straight into Joe’s shoe. He was thoroughly enjoying his imaginary play, and he was having a great time. Joe is distracted by the child’s question, and her questions quickly draw the attention of other children. They all start to guess what happened to Joe’s other leg, but Joe would really rather his privacy was respected.
Storytelling – harness the joy now, it is great for your wellbeing
Whether you are the dedicated "bedtime reader" or your child comes home from nursery or someone else's house with a tale about what happened that day, stories are an intrinsic part of your life. They help us make sense of life and understand others.[1] We use stories (often unwittingly) to connect ourselves to others, share memories and build relationships.[2]
As an adult, talking about books you've read or conversations you've had can continue to boost your own language and understanding of certain topics and subjects – we never stop learning! You might not have time to start reading War and Peace, but embracing the everyday stories around you can do wonders for your wellbeing.
The art of storytelling and how it benefits your child
Stories can be fascinating, amusing, relatable, memorable and connected.[1] They are in our blood, and your child is growing in their ability to share and tell them. When we indulge in storytelling, we can be transported to a world that is a mix of fantasy and reality. Essentially, this is what storytelling is.
Every culture hears and tells stories, and there are many estimates of how long stories have been used to impart information and knowledge both orally and visually – many ancient cave paintings are believed to be telling stories.
Read together... The Gruffalo: A Push, Pull and Slide Book
This shortened version of the original book is great for engaging young readers. Follow the mouse on its stroll through the deep, dark wood and get drawn into the wonderful rhyming text. Encourage your toddler to spot and name some of the familiar characters, or the scary features of the Gruffalo. The inserts you’ll find inside really bring the story to life.
On every page, there is a push, pull or sliding insert that will get those little fingers into exploration mode. The interactive parts concealed in the pages are nice and sturdy, so less likely to rip when they're pulled.
A classic lift-the-flap book and a great conversation starter – Oh Dear! By Rod Campbell
This classic lift-the-flap book is just great for those who are starting out on their journey to becoming a talker. It is short but sweet, and perfect for their developing ability to follow a story as you read together.
The story is about a little boy, Buster, who goes to stay with his grandma on her farm. Grandma asks Buster to collect eggs for her, but he has no idea where to find them.
