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Welcome to the My First Five Years Blog. Here you will find all sorts of information, ideas and activities that will help you to support your child.

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Gross Motor,
Sensory,
SEN25.1,
Toddlers,
walking,
barefoot

Barefoot is brilliant... but why? And more importantly... how?

When we learn to walk, we’re (often) barefoot or in socks. In many countries around the world going barefoot throughout much of childhood, and beyond, is expected. In many other countries, including in the UK, it seems that once children can walk in shoes they almost never come off – and certainly not outside. We want parents to feel confident to let their toddlers, children and themselves run free with bare feet just a little more often. Here’s why.

Going barefoot has lots of advantages – for the feet and the rest of your toddler’s body!

3 min read Read Now

Sensory,
SEN21.3,
Toddlers

How big am I? Your toddler and scale errors

You might notice your toddler make ‘scale errors’, for example, they try to sit on a chair that is obviously too small for them or get into a toy car! Not all children do this, but if you notice these types of misjudgements, it’s part of your toddler beginning to understand the world.

Why does your toddler think they can sit on a doll’s chair?

2 min read Read Now

Sensory,
SEN21.1,
Toddlers

Tickling - exploring force and learning about people through tickling games

Love it or loathe it – your toddler might be starting to have a go at tickling other people now. They might not quite get it right, but they’ll learn a lot as they give you a tickle.

Tickling is linked to sensory and social development

1 min read Read Now

Language,
S18.1,
Toddlers

Wondrous words – how does your toddler learn new words and phrases?

Your toddler has a thirst for learning and might be using new words all the time. The first words your toddler says will probably be the ones they hear a lot – and the words that seem important to the people around them. But how does your toddler learn new words beyond simply listening?

Not all listening is equally good for learning new words

1 min read Read Now

Fine Motor,
FM20.2,
Toddlers

Photographic memory! Physical skills can help share ideas and develop memory and language

Now your toddler is developing their physical skills and can notice more detail in photographs and pictures, they will be able to point out the ones that interest them. It's a wonderful time for you and your toddler to look at photographs together!

Looking at pictures of family members is brilliant for brain development.

1 min read Read Now

Cognitive,
C25.2,
Toddlers

Do you remember? Reminiscing and supporting your toddler’s memory development

As your toddler’s language develops, they might begin to talk about things that they remember. They might recall recent events or occasions from a little while ago – listening to your toddler’s memory of things can give a wonderful insight into what’s important to them.

Memory – more of a story than a photo album!

1 min read Read Now