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,
Ready to Learn: Why Are Organised Activities and Classes So Helpful for School Readiness?
Preparing for School: The Benefits of Activity Classes Starting school is a big step for any child – and for their parents, too. It marks the beginning of a new chapter filled with learning, independence, and social growth. But how can
Building Social Skills: Helping Your Child Start School with Confidence
Starting school is an exciting milestone, and one of the most important areas that helps children feel settled and confident is their ability to get along with others. Social skills, like sharing, turn-taking, and working together, lay the foundation for
Building Curiosity and Confidence: Helping Your Child Embrace New Experiences
Starting school is a big step, full of new people, routines, and environments. For children to thrive, they need more than academic skills; they need the confidence to explore and the curiosity to try new things. These traits help children
What the Research Says About School Readiness
Starting school is a big milestone – but what does it really mean to be ready? At Dr Gummer’s Good Play Guide, we believe school readiness goes far beyond knowing letters and numbers. We conducted a literature review to explore the evidence