February 2011

Literacy Spot #9: 8 Ways to Play with Junk Mail and Catalogues

February 28, 2011

The saying goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” and this can definitely be the case when it comes to a letterbox filled with annoying junk mail! But what can be seen as an awful waste of paper can actually be re-purposed into some wonderful literacy learning through play for young children – after [...]

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E-book Review: Parenting With Positive Guidance

February 27, 2011

Today a keyword search for books on ‘parenting’ at Amazon.com will net you 61,181 titles to choose from. Publishers are tapping into the struggle of modern day parents in their search for a quick fix to sleep problems, a simple formula for fussy eating or an ABC for handling behavioural issues. Unfortunately there is no [...]

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Kids Music 101: Music and Emotions – Music for Calming

February 25, 2011

This post is by regular contributor Christine Gora of Kids Music Toys. In this post and over the next few months I will be exploring the ways in which music can be used to calm and to stimulate, how it can be used to influence emotion and mood, and also how it can be used [...]

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A Fairy Birthday Party

February 24, 2011

{above: e-invitation illustration thanks to Kate of Picklebums} Last weekend we celebrated Immy’s 3rd birthday with a fairy party in the garden. I am a big believer in keeping parties simple for under 5 year olds and stuck to a few fun activities, one ever popular party game, classic party food and lots of time [...]

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From Fusspot to Foodie: Tips For Broadening Your Toddler’s Nutritional Horizons

February 23, 2011

This post is by contributor Sarah Bendeich of Oesch & Doots. I once saw Nigella Lawson being interviewed by Andrew Denton. From the outset it was clear that the two were at odds with each other. Denton admitted that he couldn’t understand Nigella’s obsession with food. He saw meals as a fuel-stop, a necessary interruption [...]

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We Play: Playful Ideas From Around the Web

February 22, 2011

A common theme in our play for weeks now has been caring for an assortment of ‘babies’. There has been lots of interest in… As well as bathing babies, taking them on excursions to the library and to swimming lessons, taking them on holidays, visits to the movies…the play scenarios continue to change and grow. [...]

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Literacy Spot #8: Speech Development Through Conversation

February 21, 2011

When Immy was a baby I talked to her a lot – just general chatter about everyday things; things we were doing, people we were seeing, events happening around us when we were out and about. This continued through toddlerhood and even now she is three, Immy and I continue to talk about these same [...]

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Mum 2 Mum: The Lowdown on Kids Birthday Parties

February 19, 2011

What is Mum 2 Mum? Mum 2 Mum is a place where as online friends we can share a little of our own experiences, so why not pop in for a cuppa and join the conversation. As we spend today preparing for tomorrow’s invasion of 12 little people for that rite of passage that is [...]

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