How do you like to go up in a swing, up in the air so blue? A poem for the park
Poems can be the perfect way to capture a feeling, and we love how this one makes us smile with the reminder of that rush of joy that a swing brings. Short enough for you to share with your toddler, enjoy this rhyme before your next trip to the park.
This sweet rhyme from Scottish poet Robert Louis Stevenson may have been written over 200 years ago, but it proves the feeling of freedom that comes with swinging back and forth is timeless.
Gently help your toddler connect with their body with I Am Yoga by Susan Verde
I Am Yoga by Susan Verde, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds, is a sturdy board book which can withstand being read again and again while your family tries out the different poses on each page.
This calming story talks you through the feelings the main character notices as they calm their body using several simple yoga poses. As well as inspiring your toddler to try yoga to stretch out in new ways, which is fantastic for their sense of balance and developing motor skills, the book links the poses to important feelings and attitudes. This will support your toddler to begin making positive connections with their body and embracing the amazing ways it will support them throughout their life.
Intonation and numbers: it all counts!
Speech usually comes to mind when we think of rhythm and intonation. When we talk to babies and young children, we use sing-song voices to emphasise words and make everything said seem like the most fascinating thing ever heard. But, did you know we use just as much intonation when we say numbers?
Think about using numbers with your toddler; do you elongate the sounds, ooooonnnnnnne, twwwwooooooooo, threeeeeeeeeeee?
Time for you and your toddler – take it when you most need it
We know that some days feel harder than others and pressures can come from almost anywhere. If you are having one of those days, take a breath and absorb yourself in your toddler.
Take some time to unwind by creating a moment for you both to connect
Taking toddlers to restaurants – why it’s really good for them
Does the thought of dining out as a family fill you with joy or worry? With young children, things can change suddenly, and let's face it, we never know what will happen next!
Thankfully, most UK restaurants are very welcoming towards families with young children, and TV chef and restaurant owner Simon Rimmer commented that he enjoys seeing children in his restaurants because it helps them develop important life skills.[1]
It started with a switch – shining a light on your toddler's ability to 'click'
Being able to control a switch when you are a toddler is quite exciting: on, off, and on again! Your toddler may become completely engaged in this form of exploration, and why not? What an exciting new skill it is for them to achieve. They are taking another step on their road to independence.
It takes a lot of strength, skill and precision to press or flick a switch. Muscles from the shoulders to the fingertips must coordinate with (their) vision to make this action happen.
One-handed wonders – drinking from a cup using one hand only
Have you noticed your toddler trying to reach and grab their cup with one hand? This is a very exciting stage in their development. Moving from using two hands to one when holding a cup will gradually lead to many new independent skills. Let's look at the brilliance of one-handedness and independent feeding...
Using one hand to hold a cup is so fantastic! It is the start of your toddler being able to use both hands to do different tasks.
Emotions are “the glue of relationships” – social psychologist Batja Mesquita’s view
Emotions are often described as universal – suggesting we all have the same emotions. Social psychologist Batja Mesquita studies emotions, and disagrees. She argues that we don’t all experience emotions in the same way and cultural expectations might explain why.
Your toddler is learning about emotions now, as they notice how people respond to other people and events.
You’re having a laugh! How your toddler learns from seeing enjoyment
When your toddler laughs when everyone around them laughs, they are showing a big step towards making friends. They might not understand why people are laughing but they know that it builds relationships!
Learning how to make friends and build relationships with other people is a skill that takes a long time to master. Your toddler learns about making friends as they watch how you interact with other people, and as they notice how you respond to them.
Becoming more confident – find out about the phases of attachment
You might have heard about attachment, maybe in our articles or on social media. Attachment theory was first outlined in the 1960s by psychiatrist and psychoanalyst John Bowlby. Some ideas about attachment have developed since then as more research has been done, but Bowlby’s four phases of attachment are still helpful when you think about how your toddler is developing.
Indiscriminate social responsiveness
