Music and memories – why is the link so strong?
Many of us have songs we associate with specific moments, people and places. Your child may be beginning to create these connections as well, and they may soon have a collection of songs that they relate to parts of their lives.
We often find comfort in music, and it's great for bringing people together
Why does my child love to join in with parts of familiar stories?
You might let out a little sigh when the same book comes out again, and again, but hearing the same words being read helps your child learn as they can better understand word meanings and how to use them in context. It’s typical for children to enjoy books that have repetitive and familiar phrases as they are easier for them to remember, and it’s quite fun for them to chant along with you as you read!
Why repetition in stories is good...
The sequence and flow of the day – how understanding is coming together
Sequencing helps your child carry out events and tell stories in the right order. You probably talk to your child every day about what's happening, putting together a sequence of plans. Being able to put events into chronological order is a skill that’s used more than you might think, and one that'll be handy for your child to achieve.
Putting events in order happens all the time – your daily routine is a perfect example of this!
Your questions about behaviour – What do I do when my child says, “I hate you”?
When your child is upset or frustrated and says things like, “I’m not your best friend” or “I don’t like you,” it can be hard not to feel upset or angry yourself.
It might help to think about what your child really means; it takes us a long time to develop the skills needed to recognise our emotions and to talk to other people about them.
Butterflies in your stomach – the importance of our eighth sense
When someone tells you they have butterflies in their stomach, you probably immediately understand how they are feeling. This feeling when nervous or excited is produced by receptors inside our organs and skin that are interpreted by our brain. The sense which provides us with information from inside our body is interoception – sometimes referred to as our ‘eighth sense’.
Interoception is a sense that you might not have heard very much about before, but it helps your child understand what is going on inside their body
Close your eyes, count to 10 and then find why hide-and-seek is so good for your child!
According to Britannica.com, hide-and-seek was first described by a second-century Greek writer, Julius Pollux. It’s a game that has been around for years and is played throughout the world. But did you know, hide-and-seek isn’t just lots of fun, but is also a great way to support your child’s development? Come and find out why...
Hide-and-seek provides opportunities for:
Clara the Caterpillar, by Pamela Duncan Edwards, illustrated by Henry Cole
This fantastic book has a strong social and emotional theme. The story focuses on how one butterfly is unkind to Clara, and they are judgmental about her appearance. At the end of the story though, Clara emerges as a hero, and sends a wonderful message of you can still be kind to those who are not kind to you. It celebrates that we are all different and all special.
Clara the Caterpillar offers up lovely vocabulary, some of which may be new to your child and require a little extra thought. It features words such as, ‘crestfallen,’ ‘camouflaged’ and ‘crimson,’ and provides tons of opportunities for you to pause and chat about the illustrations or language.
Does rough and tumble play make you panic?
Have you noticed your child enjoying some rough and tumble, physical play recently? For lots of us it’s worrying as we worry our child will get hurt, or hurt someone else. From tickling games to superhero role play, and all kinds of games involving racing around and crashing into each other, children are often drawn to this type of play. But why? And should you be worried or stop it just in case it causes tears?
Rough and tumble is a way for children to playfully explore their bodies, boundaries and abilities.
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.
Gen Alpha know: it's cool to be kind!
Every generation is born into a world with significant advances in technology, as well as changes in how they view the world, themselves and other people. The only generation that has never experienced a world without smartphones and social media is Generation Alpha, which encompasses people born between 2010 and 2025. They are thought to be much more aware, as they live in a globally connected world.[1]
One area that has undergone tremendous change through the generations is the discussion of feelings and emotions.
