A Guide to Different Types of Play for Parents
Play is more than just a fun part of childhood, it's essential for children's physical, cognitive, and emotional development. Children don’t need to be taught to play, they do it naturally as a way to explore the world, experiment with
How to Set Learning Goals for Children for the Year Ahead
At the start of a new year, we might be setting ourselves resolutions about fitness or wellbeing, but it’s also a great time to support children in setting their own learning goals. This doesn’t mean adding pressure or creating strict
Best Musical Toys & Apps for Children
Music has a special way of weaving itself into childhood memories, from lullabies at bedtime to impromptu kitchen discos. Beyond the fun, it plays a powerful role in children’s learning and development, helping to boost communication, creativity and confidence, while
What to Do When Your Child Asks If Santa Is Real
For many families, Santa is a big part of the magic of Christmas. From the mince pie and carrot left out on Christmas Eve to the anticipation of what might appear in stockings or under the tree the next morning.
Helping Children Thrive: Using the Balanced Play Pyramid in the Classroom
Most teachers instinctively know that play is vital for children’s development. It helps them build friendships, burn off energy, and explore ideas in ways that textbooks alone can’t achieve. But with growing demands on curriculum time, increased use of technology,
Fine Motor Skills: Helping Little Hands Get Ready for Big Learning
Starting school is a big step, and while learning to read and count is important, being able to use hands and fingers confidently plays a key role too. Fine motor skills – the small movements that involve the hands, wrists,
Understanding School Readiness: What Parents and Educators Need to Know
School readiness is more than ABCs and 123s — it’s about helping children feel confident, capable and curious as they step into the classroom for the first time. This white paper, part of Dr Gummer’s Good Play Guide School Readiness Campaign,
Listening to Children Without Handing Over the Reins
If you’ve ever asked your child what they’d like to do this weekend and heard “stay up all night!” or “ice cream for breakfast!” you've already met the big parenting dilemma: when do we follow their lead, and when do
Helping Children Build Emotional Regulation: A Key Step in School Readiness
Starting school is a big and exciting step, but for many children, it can also feel like an emotional rollercoaster. With new people, unfamiliar routines, and unexpected changes, it’s no surprise that some little ones feel overwhelmed. That’s why helping
Building Numeracy Skills: Helping Your Child Start School with Confidence
Starting school is an exciting time for your child, and having some early experience with numbers, shapes, and simple problem-solving can help make the transition smoother. Numeracy isn’t just about counting; it’s about understanding how numbers work in everyday life,