Category: Child Development

Children walking on a bridge

How to Raise an Optimistic Child

By : Lyndsey OHalloran

AD | Collaborative post Optimism is a positive way of thinking. A positive mind-set helps children to feel happy and confident, and it can also motivate them to keep trying when things get hard. It is important to teach children how to be optimistic, so that they will be much better equipped for dealing with life’s challenges. Here are some great tips from an independent school in London on how to help your child develop an optimistic attitude… Be a good role model Children learn from their parents, so it is important that you role

Children standing together in boots

Helping Your Child with their Social Skills

By : Lyndsey OHalloran

AD | Collaborative post With a takeover in technology in recent years, social development in children is now more important than ever. Children need to learn how to interact with other people, which can be difficult when they are spending more and more time in front of their screens. So what can you do to help your child improve their social skills? Here is some great advice from an independent school in Somerset… Set a good example It is important that parents set a good example for children. Try to limit your own screen time,

The Importance Of Reading Stories At Bedtime

The Importance Of Reading Stories At Bedtime

By : Lyndsey OHalloran

AD | Paid collaboration Before Erin was even born I had a small collection of books for her. Reading was something we did on a daily basis and we did it often. Now, Erin is 3 and reading is still such a big part of our day. We generally try to stick to the same bedtime routine each evening and somehow this has meant that Erin doesn’t get out of bed in the night. Erin will start off by having a fun bath before watching something on TV like Zog or Room on the Broom.

Erin’s First Month At A Montessori Nursery

By : Lyndsey OHalloran

As soon as Erin turned 2 she started going to nursery somewhere attached to a private school. The children from the school and nursery all spent time together and it was such a lovely thing to see. Erin especially gained a lot from eating hot lunches with the whole school and learning from the older children. When we found out that the school and nursery would be closing before Christmas we knew we only had a few other options for Erin. We don’t drive so the nursery had to be within walking distance and also,

Remembering Our Fantastic Firsts With Little Tikes

By : Lyndsey OHalloran

Disclaimer: We received this item for the purpose of this review. All opinions are our own.  As a parent, whether it be your first time or 4th time, you experience firsts with your child all the time and with Erin turning 3 in just under 2 months I have been enjoying looking back at some of the things we have done up until now. We have teamed up with Little Tikes to celebrate #LittleTikesFantasticFirsts and the Fantastic Firsts Toy range so I wanted to share some of these moments that I have experienced as a new

Thomas And Friends Alphaphonics Tablet Review

By : Lyndsey OHalloran

Disclaimer: We received this item for the purpose of this review. All opinions are our own.  Erin, at the moment, is one of those children who wants to learn. In January she will be moving up to the 3+ room at nursery and from then, she will be spending time with the reception class in school and joining in with learning things like phonics. Erin has shown an interest in letters and words for quite a long time now and I want to help encourage her at home. We were kindly sent the Thomas And Friends

Erin sat on a toadstool

The toddler with a million questions

By : Lyndsey OHalloran

As soon as Erin could talk it became clear very quickly that she was going to be a chatterbox… just like her mother. Over the past couple of months though Erin has really seemed to grasp questions and loves to ask them. I’m not sure when she learned certain questions but the flavours of the week are ‘Mummy, what happened?’ and ‘Mummy, what’s that?’ You might think that hearing these questions over and over again are annoying but for me they’re really not. Even when I was pregnant I thought about what Erin would be

Friendly Farm Animal Counters

Learning Resources Friendly Farm Animal Counters Review

By : Lyndsey OHalloran

Yesterday we showed you the Birds In A Nest Sorting Set from Learning Resources. We’re currently trying to find new toys for Erin that are both educational and fun and today we’ll be reviewing Learning Resources‘ Friendly Farm Counters. The Friendly Farm Counters come as a set of 72 in a large plastic container. This set has a RRP of only £14.50 so you get a whole lot of pieces for the price. The set consists of 6 different animal shapes, in 6 different colours and 2 sizes. Essentially, you get a parent and baby of each animal