Today Tile Triggered Content

Your baby might be interested in looking at photographs of other babies. Here are some suggestions for books with clear photographs which we think your baby might enjoy, or alternatively you could print some pictures. 

It is true that every day is a new day, full of possibilities and excitement. Every morning when your baby starts a new day by smiling at you, because, there you are again. What adventures lie ahead today? Your baby is starting to remember more of their experiences and so, can use what has happened before to think about what might happen next. 

When your baby turns their head away as you bring another spoonful of food towards them, it can be so tempting to begin a whole range of strategies to try to get them to eat more, from aeroplanes to pleas of “Just one more bite!” But refusing food is a signal that your baby is developing important skills – including awareness of themselves and autonomy.  

Messy play might not be your first choice of activity but can be great for your toddler. If you’ve avoided it so far, you aren’t alone, but perhaps there could be a way for you to enjoy getting messy together?  

Messy play can give your toddler time to explore without needing to make something – it’s not setting up a ‘craft’, but finding ways to let your toddler play with different materials and discover what they do.  

Taking part in the daily tasks of family life involves a certain amount of repetition and routine – and this helps your child build on the cognitive skills they need to remember the order of steps involved in familiar tasks. Here are some simple ways to get your child involved, and why you should keep in mind that it is good for their developing brain (and your mental load) for them to chip in where possible. 

Many of the tasks that we do to keep things moving or the house clean involve a sequence of actions or steps.  

There are so many opportunities to develop the language which is at the root of early reading skills throughout the day. 

In When Grandpa Gives You a Toolbox by Jamie L. B. Deenihan, illustrated by Lorraine Rocha, you will be taken on a creative journey to discover why being given a gift you didn’t ask for might actually be the start of something magical! This is a lovely picture book to share, especially if you want to talk to your child about how to handle being gifted items that were not on a wish list – or explore the idea of making your own toys instead of always buying new ones.  

The little boy at the centre of the story starts out being disappointed by a birthday gift of tools (when all he wanted was a dolls’ house) but goes on to discover just how powerful using a toolbox, and sharing time with a loved one in the process, can be.  

Your baby is beginning to understand themselves and realising that they can lead their own explorations on how to move and get around. This will be a time of mixed feelings for you since you want your baby to grow stronger and move with confidence, but you also want to keep them safe. Here are some ways to support your young climber as they begin to scale new heights.

Some days your toddler might not be ready to join in, or try something new. It can feel a little frustrating at times, especially when you know your toddler is able, or you think that they will enjoy it if they would just give it a go. Here are some simple phrases, and ways of thinking, that might make you both feel better in these situations. 

You know the feeling: you’ve arrived at the park or at soft play and you know your toddler will have a brilliant time – but they won’t leave your side. The more you try to convince them, the more they don’t want to leave you.  

While your baby is busy learning all about themselves and the world around them, take some time to think about you. Doodling might not be the first thing you think of, but it can be a really great way to unwind...