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Written by Julia Gorham Crafty fun for young children. Just by folding used newspaper and painting, young children can make their own Pirates hats! Our children had great fun this week, with their special Pirate hats! You will need: Newspaper Tape Black paint Paint brushes Glue Apron To do: Fold the newspaper, tape and glue as below Step 1: Fold a tabloid sized newspaper in half. Step 2: Fold the corners inwards. Step 3: Fold one layer of the bottom flap upwards. Step 4:

How do you persuade your children to enjoy healthy food? It often helps to create interesting forms to ignite their curiosity and desire to try different foods. Today we will share how to make a butterfly out of apples, celery and a bit of cottage cheese. What you’ll need: apple celery knife (adults only) chopping board cottage cheese / peanut butter Method: Cut the celery into strips just a bit longer than the length of the apple. Cut the apple in half and then make thin sli

By Julia Gorham Did you know that about 10 percent of the population prefer their left hands? And that genetics plays a large role? Did you know that left-handed children are generally right-brain dominant, they are often more creative, emotional and think holistically? Scientist Clyde Francks, isolated a gene called LRRTM1 that contributes to left-handedness. This means that it can be inherited and is predominantly from the father’s side. Here are some facts on left handed p

Written by Julia Gorham What a fun activity to do at home with your child. This game gives your child experience in dividing objects into sets which a good experience for mathematics. What you need; Small containers or small dishes A set of different sized buttons in size and colour A larger bowl to place the mixed buttons A small tray To do: Show your child how to feel the buttons and sort them by size and colour into the different bowls and dishes until they have been used

By Julia Gorham This is a beautiful hanging art activity. The children love to sprinkle the wax shavings onto the hearts and are delighted with the end result. These wax paper hearts look lovely when hung next to a window to display their beautiful melted colours. You will need: Cut out double sided wax paper hearts Wax crayons Shavings of different coloured wax crayons. You can add glitter too. An iron (Strictly for Adult use only) String or wool Thick pencil sharpener A pu

The early years are critical in developing a lifelong love of reading. It is never too early to begin reading to your child. Read together every day. Make this a warm and loving time when the two of you can cuddle close. Give everything a name. Build your child’s vocabulary by talking about interesting words and objects. Say how much your enjoy reading. Talk about how you look forward to story time with them. Read with fun in your voice. Read to your child with humour and us

Written by Julia Gorham In preschool years the effect of a child’s home environment and parent’s behaviour is vital. It is in this age period that parents will have the greatest effect on their child’s cognitive development. In middle childhood, instruction and experience at school are likely to contribute more than parents to children’s intellectual progress. Parents are children’s first teachers, and so they have the enormous responsibility for making their home stimulating

By Julia Gorham If you’re trying to decide on the right schooling for your child, and you’ve come across Montessori and don’t quite know what it entails, or why it would be the best option, here are some reasons for enrolling your child in a Montessori school. It prepares your child for primary school with advanced learning skills by providing the bridging skills needed for school readiness and to excel in that next environment. It establishes a sound foundation of early l

By Julia Gorham Good Manners are essential for every child’s self confidence and success in life.Manners and etiquette for children is ranked as the most important quality to nurture in the family home. In the family home – this is where it starts, where the ‘manners seed’ is planted and nurtured. This is where your children learn not only good manners, but also core values and ethics. This is the haven where your children learn to be considerate, tolerant and respectful. T

Ahead of her time, Maria Montessori has had a greater impact on education than most people realize! One of her most outstanding contributions were her inventions of the amazing Montessori didactic materials. She understood the importance of the hand-brain connection and developed pedagogical materials to stimulate the senses and provide the brain with a concrete understanding of abstract concepts. Montessori has touched the lives of children and adults around the world. By r

By Julia Gorham “Help me do it by myself” Dr Maria Montessori The Montessori method of teaching equips children with a strong sense of independence and confidence, by allowing them to do things on their own. Children are curious by nature and enjoy trying what they can achieve. The importance of confidence Confident children grow into resilient adults. People who possess confidence don’t dwell on failures. Instead, they acknowledge difficult situations, learn from any mista