10 fat sausages number activity

I have had a couple of people message and ask me about the sausages in the photo on my last blog post about Maths (click here), so I thought i would do a quick post to explain the activity so that you can use it at home or in your own setting:

(Sorry about the photo quality - it is the only one I can find at the moment! I definitely have a better one somewhere! i'll keep looking)

Maths for boys (and girls!)

Boys. And weapons. Particularly guns. Hmmm...

What really happens when you tell a group of boys "no guns allowed" ?

Writing for a purpose...accident reporting station

If you've ever spent time with children, then you will know just how often they manage to 'hurt' themselves! 

I'm not talking about actual, serious injuries, but those minor little accidents that need your full attention RIGHT NOW! For example (I few I've come across):

Today's thought

bareMinerals Blemish Remedy Foundation | review | Before and After

Bare Minerals Blemish Remedy Foundation - Clearly Porcelain 

Like most Mums, I don't have a lot of time in the morning for makeup - ironic, as now is the time in my life when I feel I need it the most! (Friends and family if you are reading this, just buy me shares in the production company for under eye concealer for xmas!)

I have suffered with 'problematic' skin for years and have used a range of bareMinerals foundations for a long time. I have always found them to be pretty fail proof. Being non-comedogenic they don't seem to cause any out-breaks for me and give that 'natural' look to the skin which is a huge plus.

Dealing with colic and reflux in babies

Colic. Reflux.

The two don't always happen together, but for many, the symptoms are incredibly similar (usually including inconsolable crying) and equally as distressing  - for the baby AND for the parents. This post includes some advice, links and helpful information on how to deal with colic and reflux in babies...

Like many parents, we suffered the effects of both colic and reflux, and tried almost everything we could to remedy the situation. 

Included in this blog post are some suggestions and some information which you may find helpful if you are an expectant or new parent going through a similar situation. 

(Addition: Since writing this post, I have had another child who also suffered with Reflux, but not colic, and have another blog post here with 6 products which help with Infant Reflux the second time around)

NB: I am not a medical professional, and any information or advice given in this post should not be deemed to be of a professional standard, or used as a substitute for seeking medical advise from your GP or HV. The information given is simply our own personal experience of different solutions.

Here is our story...

He's cross because...

I took my hair out of his mouth...

#wickedwednesdays

Baby and Toddler Sensory activities to develop speaking and language

In this post you will find some information on how to use language within sensory play for babies and young children, followed by some play examples and links to some sensory activities for you to try at home..

Now the first question you may ask is "why is everything green?"

The purpose of these resources is to encourage Arthur to use his senses to choose and explore the different  materials.  I have noticed in the last few months that Arthur often has a particular interest in the colour green, therefore, I already know that Arthur is using his sense of sight to distinguish between resources based on the colour he can see - choosing a toy because it is green.

I want to encourage him to explore the materials using some of his other senses:

Magic Fairy / Elf door 15% off

If you read my post on provoking imaginative play with a fairy garden (here) then you will know just how excited I was when 'MY ELF DOOR' arrived from The Magic Door Store. ( They also sell magic fairy doors, both in a choice of colours!).

First of all, let me tell you, the packaging for this product is wonderful - wrapped in coloured tissue paper which you peel away to reveal a lovely illustrated box with cut away pieces displaying the door itself and the 'magic dust' - if you are buying this as a gift for someone else it really wont disappoint.

The back of the box inspires ideas of how to encourage imaginative play for children by suggesting how exciting it would be to discover "tiny magic dust footprints on the floor, little gifts and messages left by your elf friends" and the box even includes a letter welcoming the fairies and elves to their home with a space for your child to sign - its no surprise then, to find out that this company is a small family business run by a mum of two- and one who clearly has inspiring imaginative play and creativity at the heart of what she does!

My initial worry was how I would fix this to the wall without causing any damage - no problem! The door comes with a pack of 'mounting putty' which does an amazing job of sticking the door to a surface without ruining the paintwork:

Anticipation box-learn in a fun way! Activity to aid phonics and maths

Whilst teaching this was hugely popular and a great activity to help your child learn in a fun way.

In the morning the children in my class would put a secret object inside the anticipation box and it would stay closed for the rest of the day until home time. We would anticipate all day what could be inside! Not only do the children really enjoy this activity and look forward to the end of the day when we finally open up the box and see what is inside - it is also a brilliant way to help your child with their speaking and thinking skills, as well as exposing them to mathematical language and giving them an opportunity to practise their phonic skills.

3 of the best sleep solutions - Aromatherapy Associates, Neom, This Works

As a new parent, it's easy to focus so much on creating the perfect sleep scenario for your little ones, you forget about yourself.
Whilst it may be true that parenthood can be so exhausting you fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow, for others, there are a number of reasons why it may still be difficult to fall asleep - perhaps you struggle with flashbacks from a traumatic birth/labour experience , you may be too busy thinking about all the things you have to do  or it may just be that for the first time in a long time, your baby is asleep  but your body clock is  still used to being awake!

Here are three product ranges which focus on sleep and relaxation I really could not live without:

Wizard writing! - provision area for home and classroom

Here is an exciting writing and mark making area I created which should hopefully encourage your child to have a go and practise their writing skills.

The wall was painted using magnetic blackboard paint. LOTS of coats are needed to make it magnetic. I used 5 coats and although i could stick on some miniature magnetic words on a magnetic strip, the usual 'plastic letters' with a magnet on the back were too heavy.

The table was painted using standard blackboard paint. Both the wall and the table worked well with the chalk and enabled a large writing area both vertically and horizontally so that your little one is able to practise both their gross and fine motor skills.

To make the area more exciting, i included 'wizard writing hats' for use when having a go at writing (Ebay), some plastic cauldrons with letters and spoons inside and also some gel glitter dry wipe boards  (not pictured) for extra sparkly magical writing.

Cobweb and star materials were used to give a real 'wizard cave' atmosphere to the area.

Blank spell books and pencils painted to look like magic wants were also included , along with mini jars of spell 'ingredients'.

Some wooden chairs - painted and then decorated with Sharpies would make a great addition!

Why not view my other activity posts:

Make mark making fun

Provoke imaginative play

ice cream role play for little people

Fine motor activities for toddlers

Sensory play activity

Edible finger paint

Learning through play posts

Arthurwears edible finger paint....baby and toddler activity

Let's go straight to the lesson with this one: probably best to undress your child and let them do this one in their nappy sitting on a waterproof, washable shower curtain.... We have one, we didn't use it, we may have to repeat this activity with more colours on a warmer day!!

Arthur LOVES Greek yoghurt - it's great for BLW as its thicker than natural yoghurt so they can get a good handful and scoop it into their mouth. I made the edible finger paint using Greek yoghurt mixed with food colouring (obviously babies and young children need 'edible' mark making resources because it WILL end up in their mouth!). 

He spread it around, he splatted it (hard) he rubbed his fingers, hands, arms and then his face in it.

This is a brilliant sensory experience.

He did lots of exploring, feeling and tasting and when he had finally coloured his clothes and hair pink - he lifted his arms up to get out. 

This is a great early mark making activity and introduction to messy play. Worth the clean up afterwards!

Why not view my other activity posts:

Make mark making fun

Provoke imaginative play

ice cream role play for little people

Fine motor activities for toddlers

Sensory play activity

Learning through play posts

Make mark making fun! Turn old DVD cases into whiteboards

I'm sure we've all got unwanted DVD cases lurking around somewhere (and if not they can be picked up at a charity shop fairly easily!) this is a great way to create a personalised mini whiteboard for your little one to encourage and help develop their mark making.

You will need a DVD case which has a see through plastic sleeve on the outside as this is what makes it possible to write on with a whiteboard pen and to wipe it back off again!