Like many busy mums and carers, your Christmas ‘to do’ list is probably already running to three pages with all the presents you have to buy, end of year school events to attend, not to mention work functions. The feelings of stress are probably beginning, slowly but surely, to build towards what will be a crescendo by December 24 as …
There’s a very funny French & Saunders sketch called “Mothers and Kids” where two mothers plan a fun, hands-on day of arts and crafts for their children and then end up over managing the process to the point where they hold the paint brushes for them, dictate which colours they use and end up berating them for their ‘messy’ work… …
According to those seasoned in homeschooling, teaching kindergarten-aged kids can be one of the most challenging phases in what is ultimately a highly rewarding undertaking. In many cases this can be down to the newness of it all and a certain amount of anxiety about what needs to be covered and how to go about it. If you have just …
Now that the excitement of the Easter weekend is over, and hopefully, all the chocolate eggs consumed, the end of the holidays is in sight and another school term beckons. With the end of Term One, many schools provide parents with some initial feedback on how their children have settled into the school year and for some children it may …
I recently read an article about helping kids develop their problem solving skills . It talked about problem solving as a skill that not only helps children to think more critically, it also improves their independence and, importantly, their resilience even as they move into adulthood. Tara Haelle, co-author of The Informed Parent looks ahead at young adults who are the …
For those of you with school-aged children, it’s likely they are back inside the school gates now and ready for another full year of learning, activity and fun. Your pre-schoolers are ready to get back into their routine – be that with you at home, at day care or with another relative who shares the child minding responsibilities with you. …
Research and anecdotal evidence shows us that more and more grandparents are stepping up to assist with child rearing than ever before. Rising living costs often necessitate a two-income household and the cost of childcare (despite its valuable contribution to a child’s learning and development) can sometimes negate the majority of that second income. This is where grandparents are often …
After a lazy, hot summer it’s now not long until the kids return to school. Preparing children for school readiness – whether they are returning to school or starting for the first time – helps get them off to a good start. But it’s important to remember school readiness is not about age. As Simone Crighton, Shapeeze Creator, recalls: My …
There is growing concern that an excessive amount of screen time for preschoolers is contributing to a lack of school readiness for many preschool aged children. While a limited amount of screen time can be educational, the impact of excessive screen time can affect behaviour, disrupt sleep patterns, reduce attention span and undermine the development of fine motor skills. One …
