Out of the box - toys that are not toys
As a parent, it can feel like there is constant pressure to spend money on toys for children. The choices when it comes to what toys are best for your child are impossibly endless, too. Is it better to opt for only wooden toys, or is plastic actually pretty fantastic?
Too many cardboard boxes - not enough ideas?
Cardboard boxes can be hugely exciting. Have you ever wondered why children can sometimes get more use out of a box than the content of the box?
Exploring and playing with objects - treasure baskets and heuristic play
You might have heard people talking about heuristic play or have seen adverts for various different treasure baskets and wondered what exactly these people were talking about. In this blog, we will explore some of the ideas that underpin treasure baskets and heuristic play, and offer some suggestions about how you could use some of these ideas at home.
Do you remember this? Learning from some favourite games!
At My First Five Years, we spend lots of time talking about babies and children and how they develop and learn. We also talk about how, very often, parents are doing things that support their children’s learning without realising.
The importance of learning through play in the early years
Have you ever sat and thought about how you managed to master a skill?
How to create a stimulating learning environment at home
You don’t need expensive toys for your children to thrive in their home environment. Most of what you need is in your kitchen cupboard – or on your doorstep. Find out how everyday activities like making dens, pairing socks, going to the shops and reading, can provide your child with all the stimulation they need in their early years of life.
