How to make Fairy Butterfly Wings with Pressed Flowers

My little girl absolutely loves to put on a pair of wings and dress up a fairy or a butterfly, but the wings we have which are made from the same material as nylon stockings have ripped in places and shed glitter like there's no tomorrow! I decided to make a custom pair of wings at home, using home pressed flowers (in the microwave!) and contact paper - which give more of a natural, iridescent 'flutter', (much better than laminate wings!) look incredibly delicate and so beautiful and personalised....

(Blog originally published April 2020)
 

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The best thing is that the lead up to making these links into some special experiences - you can forage in your garden for leaves, flowers and petals...or whilst out on your walk. We included some tête-à-tête daffodils that the children picked for me whilst I was poorly in quarantine to cheer me up and make me feel better, some tulips we had before lockdown and some cherry blossom flowers collected from a daily walk (also my favourite tree!). This activity is perfect for learning and teaching symmetry, discussing differences and changes, noticing patterns and details, following instructions and role play....

Benefits of Using Food in Sensory Play

Food is a crucial part of our lives, and it can also play a vital role in children's early development. Sensory play is an excellent way for young children to explore the world around them, and the use of food within sensory play can offer a multitude of benefits. 

In this blog post, we will discuss why using food within sensory play is so essential and offer some activity ideas for babies and young children. We will also address common concerns and demonstrate how using food in play outweighs any negatives associated with food waste.

Key Reasons Parents Choose GCSE English Tutors For Teens

Every parent wants to see their teenager do well in school, yet English often proves to be one of the most demanding subjects. GCSE English sets the foundation for future study and career opportunities, so many parents feel extra support is necessary. 

The right tutor can not only boost exam results but also strengthen confidence and skills that go beyond the classroom. Keep reading to find out why so many families are turning to dedicated English tutors for their teens.

Forest School Activities

Are you looking for Forest Schools activities for your home or setting? Perhaps you’re wondering how to set up a DIY Forest School, considering the benefits of sending your child to forest school or simply wondering what a Forest School is?

 

This post is here to answer all of your Forest School questions, we’ve got some fab book recommendations to get you started and information from our very own Forest School expert – Kim Jarvis from Wirral Wildlings Forest School.

How to Introduce Kids to Snowboarding Safely

Introducing your child to snowboarding can feel like a mix of excitement, anxiety, and “Did I remember the snacks?” It's a thrilling sport that builds confidence, balance, and a deep love of the outdoors - but it also requires a thoughtful approach to keep your little shredder safe, warm, and having fun (instead of face-planting and crying on the bunny hill).

 

 

Whether your child is a fearless adventurer or just curious about snow sports, starting the right way makes all the difference.

Here’s how to introduce your kids to snowboarding safely - step by step, gear included.

Why Nightgowns Are a Great Gift Idea for New Mums

If there’s one thing new mums don’t need more of, it’s baby gear. There will be onesies in every drawer, bottles by the dozen, and enough muslin cloths to start a small textile business. But if you’re looking for a gift that actually makes a difference in her daily (and nightly) life?

 

 
A nightgown.

Yes, a beautifully soft, thoughtfully chosen nightgown. It’s simple. It’s personal. And it’s exactly the kind of thing new mums don’t think to buy for themselves - but truly appreciate once they have it.

Here’s why nightgowns make the perfect gift for those hazy, beautiful, exhausting early weeks of motherhood...

Family Road Trip Essentials: How Emergency Mobile Tyre Fitting Keeps Your Journey on Track

 

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Packing the car for a family road trip can often feel a bit like playing Tetris... Snacks? Check. Spare clothes? Check. That one toy your child swears they can’t possibly travel without? Finally fished out from under the sofa - thank goodness. Once everyone’s finally strapped in and the sat-nav is set, there’s a small moment of triumph: you’ve made it out of the house.

If you’ve ever felt that sudden bump of a tyre going flat halfway down the M62, you’ll know how fast the buzz of a family trip can disappear. With tired little ones in the back and traffic rushing past, it’s the kind of stress no parent wants to add to their list. That is the reason why knowing about emergency mobile tyre fitting is just as important as remembering the snacks.

Uni Essentials Packing Checklist: Everything You Need to Take to University

 

So your little darling is off to uni! It seems like only yesterday it was me lugging a giant desktop tower and a questionable duvet to halls. Now it's your turn to navigate the treacherous waters of packing lists and student accommodation. Fear not, I’ve compiled the ultimate guide to ensure they’ve got everything they need (and maybe a few things they don’t!). Let's dive into the essential checklist to make sure they're prepared for university life.

Back to School Tips: How to Transition Your Child into the School Routine

It’s that time of year again guys (fellow dishevelled parents) - the one that started with week 1 promises of keeping to the usual ‘routine’, planning healthy snack boxes, making sure you keep up with the reading, timetables and minimal screen time. Fast-forward six weeks and you’re picking crisp packets off the sofa while your child is still in PJs at 11am, having gone to bed at… well, let’s not talk about that.

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Yes, it’s the end of the summer holidays and you’ve got a miracle to perform in transitioning your child back into the school routine and back into their school uniform. Let’s get started shall we?

How to add Culture and Diversity to your home and learning environment

 How can we make sure that  we are including or adding culture and diversity into our everyday learning environments? 
It is so important that we give children the tools, exposure and understanding of differences and similarities, between themselves and others, from an early age. We want to create an environment where certain differences are viewed by children as usual, every day life. Where all children can readily access resources that are made with diversity in mind, so that children grow to learn that we are all different, and we are all the same.

Today, I have Lauren, an Early Childhood Educator with a wealth of training and experience within culture and diversity, explaining a little about how we can add culture and diversity into our learning environments both at home and in a setting...

Love is Love - An LGBTQ engagement poem

Poem - Love is: For James and Stuart on your Engagement x

I wrote this poem, Love is Love,  a few years ago now, and it has been sat in my notes, waiting for today - the day when James (my wonderfully supportive and caring big Brother in Law) finally became engaged to Stuart (the man who secretly filled my biscuit tin with chocolate biscuits and my freezer with ice cream at the end of his visit - if that doesn't tell you what a lovely person he is, I don't know what will). There aren't many things in life which can fill your heart with joy and settle your soul like the moment you realise that someone you care about has found someone who really cares about them... and like all moments of high emotion, words tumbled through my mind in rhyme form, waiting to be written... So here it is...Love is Love - A poem...

Alternative Careers for Teachers: Top Jobs for Former Educators

Alternative Careers for Teachers

As the landscape of the education sector evolves (again), many educators find themselves contemplating a career change. If this is you, and you'd like to learn more about the type of roles others are stepping into after leaving teaching, then read on.

The decision to leave a teaching job is often fueled by various factors, including burnout, limited career progression, and the pursuit of new opportunities. For early years specialist teachers, it can often be because the school has chosen to formalise learning too soon, which doesn't align with their values and beliefs around the merits and importance of play based learning. Lack of support, both in terms of staff ratios and also finances for resources, can have a huge impact on the physical and mental health of teachers who simply want to do their best for the pupils but are unable to do so due to issues outside of their control. The ever increasing cost of living means that many teachers can no longer afford to pay for resources out of their own pockets (as so many do) which makes teaching experiences limited and difficult. Many teachers, after starting a family, come to realise that the profession is not 'family friendly' in terms of hours, and the salaries of teachers simply don't cover the cost of childcare needed to undertake the role fully. This article explores alternative careers for teachers, highlighting the motivations behind their career transitions and the valuable skills they bring to new roles. It also includes a list of positions that real-life former teachers have moved into. 

'The Rainbow Fish' Activities

Using props and activities to bring a story to life can not only help to instill a love of reading and excitement around a book, but it also helps little minds to understand and follow a storyline better.  This blog post provides some ideas and resources for learning all about Marcus Pfister's 'The Rainbow Fish' story through play, including digital downloads.

  In the year when we saw Niall from Love Island 2018 talk about his ‘rainbow fish’ and seemingly describe a completely different moral to the story, here are a few activities that should hopefully help your little ones pick out the right message and also retain the plot of the book!

57 EYFS Tuff Tray Ideas

I love our tuff tray, (probably even more than the children do), and thinking up tuff tray ideas - and although it can be a challenge to set them up sometimes - I love the wow factor a new tray play activity brings to young children and how excited and enthusiastic they are to go and explore straight away! I know that my carefully laid resources will be scattered around within minutes, but honestly, that's the beauty of it. A well played with EYFS tuff tray, where learning opportunities arise, does not come from children feeling like they can't touch, move, reorder or explore. A day without some 'mess' has usually been an unproductive one...

 I've picked out 57 tuff tray ideas (originally 19 but I keep updating!) of our current favourite EYFS tuff tray ideas here for you to enjoy and feel inspired! I also have a post showcasing our best sensory tray play ideas here.  If you want to learn more about tuff trays first - have a read of our complete guide to tuff trays here. 

You can find many of the resources mentioned over in my Amazon affiliate ideas list here (click here for USA version).

What is EYFS?

What is the EYFS? If you have children, or work alongside children, then the chances are you have seen the letters ‘EYFS’ quite a few times already – perhaps in reference to EYFS play, EYFS activities or even EYFS outcomes…but what is EYFS??

To give its most literal meaning, EYFS stands for the Early Years Foundation Stage – the period of time from birth to 5 years old. During this time, there are certain developmental milestones that children are expected to achieve. All adults who work with children in England are expected to follow these standards for learning, development and care, so that by the end of the EYFS children are meeting their ‘Early Learning Goals’ (ELGs) and are therefore ‘school ready’.

Music and Movement for Preschoolers and Babies

Did you know that movement helps us to hear music in detail and enhances our understanding not just of rhythm, but also of pitch and tune?  Experts believe that it can also be good for the brain, especially parts that deal with spatial and temporal reasoning. Learning to play an instrument may even increase your child's ability to do maths (Livingstone, 2005).

In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of music for young children, discuss music classes for babies and provide you with some musical activity ideas for babies and preschoolers.