Fascinating facts about children’s brains during the Early years

Posted on June 25, 2023June 25, 2023 by schoolhouse

Have you ever considered the miraculous journey of a child’s brain development during the early years? This period, teeming with growth and transformation, is a marvel to behold. To explore this intricate process in more depth, here are 6 fascinating facts you may not know about your child´s brain development.

#1 – The majority of brain growth happens in the first 5 years.

A fact that might surprise you is that a newborn’s brain, though only about a quarter of an adult’s in size, expands to almost 90% of adult size by age five. And that’s just the start.

In the early years, a child’s brain is very active, making over a million neural connections every second. These connections will influence future learning, behaviour, and health, quite literally moulding their future selves. Quite something, isn’t it?

#2 – Positive interactions are key to growth and success.

What’s heartwarming is how our interactions with children can help drive this remarkable growth. Simple acts like chatting, reading, or singing to a child can bolster these neural connections and encourage cognitive growth. Playing with them, and engaging with their imaginative worlds, is also a massive booster.

It’s been found that high-quality early childhood education can significantly impact a child’s success down the line. It’s akin to nurturing a tiny seed into a lush, sturdy tree over time.

toddler reading a book

#3 – Nurturing a strong parent-child relationship as early as possible is essential for social development.

Building on this, we move to attachment theory, which focuses on the emotional bonds children form with their caregivers during these early years. These bonds greatly impact their social and emotional growth. Simply put, consistent, loving care forms a secure attachment, fostering a positive self-image and a healthy approach to learning.

In contrast, inconsistent care can result in insecure attachment, which may hinder a child’s emotional development. Hence, these early bonds play a crucial role in shaping a child’s future.

#4 – Young children sleep so much due to learning, rather than rest.

Now, despite being bundles of energy, young children spend about half their time asleep. But don’t be fooled, their brains aren’t on a break. While peacefully snoozing, their brains are busy sorting out memories and assimilating the day’s experiences, further strengthening their neural pathways. This underlines just how crucial a good night’s sleep is for healthy brain development.

baby sleeping in a bed to represent child´s brain development

#5 – Children don´t have a dominant side of their brain in the first 3 years.

You might’ve heard about people being ‘left-brained’ or ‘right-brained,’ but in young children, things are a bit different. They utilise both sides of their brain equally until about the age of three when they might start leaning towards one side.

This could be why children are such amazing inventors and storytellers. It’s like they’ve got an orchestra in their heads, and everyone’s playing together!

#6 – Young children learn different languages incredibly well.

One of the standout marvels of early childhood is the natural gift for language. It’s remarkable how young kids can differentiate between different sounds and languages – something which often challenges adults.

That’s why we should embrace the opportunity to introduce children to different languages at an early age. They’re ready-made linguists, picking up sounds and structures with ease.

a little boy holding his mother's face to represent how to teach your child kindness

Childhood: A Time of Wonder

Peering into these captivating facts about a child’s brain development in the early years is like uncovering hidden wonders. This time is a hotbed of fast-paced development, with each child charting their unique course filled with milestones and discoveries.

As adults, we can play a vital role in guiding and nurturing this growth. These little humans aren’t just our future, they are our present too, a vibrant and exciting present that’s growing and learning each day.

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At Schoolhouse Daycare, we enjoy learning, encouraging confidence and we love life! If you think your child would enjoy life at Schoolhouse, then please do not hesitate to arrange a visit.

Need more help or advice? Find more from us here:

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Posted on June 12, 2023June 12, 2023 by schoolhouse

Proud to Be Me: Fun Ways to Celebrate Children’s Differences During Pride Month

Posted on June 5, 2023June 25, 2023 by schoolhouse

June has arrived, and it’s time for rainbows, love, and unity as we kick off Pride Month. But hey, it’s not just about celebrating pride with children; it’s also a perfect time to honour and appreciate the beauty in our differences. So, how can we make this month exciting and educational for children?

The heart of Pride Month is the promotion of self-affirmation, dignity, and equality. And who better to understand this in its purest form than children, who are naturally accepting and unprejudiced? Here are a few fun ways to celebrate children’s differences during this special month.

Story Time With Pride-Inspired Books

Reading together is always a beautiful bonding moment. Look for children’s books that tell stories about different families, genders, and identities. Books like “And Tango Makes Three,” “Red: A Crayon’s Story,” and “Julian is a Mermaid” paint a colourful world where diversity is celebrated. Celebrating pride with children through these narratives gives them an understanding that families come in all forms and everyone has their unique place in the world.

Pride Arts and Crafts

Nothing says celebration quite like vibrant colours, and Pride Month is an excellent time to break out the arts and crafts. You can explain the symbolism of the rainbow flag as you and your children create your own. Or perhaps, make DIY Pride Month bracelets, where each bead represents a unique trait they admire in themselves or their friends. Celebrating pride with children hands-on will help solidify these important messages.

Watch Films with LGBTQ+ Characters

Several family-friendly films feature diverse characters and families. Watching these films can help normalise the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community for children, encouraging acceptance and understanding. Don’t forget to follow up with a discussion about what they learned or enjoyed about the movie.

Host a Rainbow-Themed Picnic

Arrange a rainbow-themed picnic for the neighbourhood kids. Have everyone bring a dish in the colour of the rainbow. This activity encourages teamwork and provides a chance to appreciate everyone’s contribution, big or small. It’s a fun-filled way of celebrating pride with children while also fostering community bonds.

Participate in Local Pride Events

Many communities host family-friendly Pride events. If your local community is hosting one, consider participating. Celebrating pride with children in this way gives them a firsthand experience of unity, acceptance, and the joy that comes from being true to themselves.

A Gratitude Journal

Encourage your child to keep a “Pride Month Gratitude Journal.” Each day, they can write or draw something they are grateful for about themselves or someone else. It’s a brilliant way to encourage self-love, appreciation of others, and a deep understanding of celebrating differences.

Celebrating pride with children is about more than the festivities. It’s about instilling respect for diversity and teaching them to honour every person’s unique identity. In the end, the best way to celebrate Pride Month is to foster love, acceptance, and pride every day of the year. So, let’s raise our flags, wear our colours, and most importantly, let’s teach our kids that every colour of the rainbow is needed to make the world as beautiful as it is.

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At Schoolhouse Daycare, we enjoy learning, encouraging confidence and we love life! If you think your child would enjoy life at Schoolhouse, then please do not hesitate to arrange a visit.

Need more help or advice? Find more from us here:

A Royal Baby on the Way? Check out these Regal Names inspired by the British Monarchy

Posted on May 17, 2023April 28, 2023 by schoolhouse

You have a newborn on the way? Congratulations! If you haven’t thought about a name yet, it might be worth taking inspiration from the royal family. Royal baby names are timeless and keep cropping up after generations, so if you’re unsure what to name your baby, here are a few suggestions that never go out of fashion. There’s no harm in naming your baby after royalty, after all!

Royal Baby Names to get inspired by and what they mean

Edward: Rich guard

Many kings have gone by the name Edward over the centuries, although the most famous one has got to be King Edward VIII. He enjoyed the title of King for less than a year, although many other Edwards throughout history have ruled even before 1066.

Undoubtedly, Edward is the most popular name for English monarchs, and perhaps your newborn might enjoy the name and royal heritage too, as he grows up!

William: Resolute protector

The popularity of William as a royal name goes back to 1066 when William the Conqueror was in power. So far, we have had four King Williams, with our present Prince William becoming no.5 eventually – well, that is unless he wishes to take oath under one of his alternative names.

It’s a great name for a boy who will act as the protector and provider of your family one day.

Louis: Famous warrior

Did you know that Prince William and Prince George, his son, both share Louis as a given name? In fact, Kate and William’s youngest son’s name also happens to be Louis. It’s among the most popular royal baby names today, particularly in France, as a remarkable 20 kings have shared that name throughout different eras.

Elizabeth: Oath of God

Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-serving British monarch in history, sharing her name with the illustrious Queen Elizabeth I, who ruled between the late 1500s and early 1600s.

It’s a very befitting name for a girl who wants to grow up to be a fine lady, carrying herself as elegantly and beautifully as the Queen.

Helena: Light or torch

Princess Helena was the fifth child of Prince Albert and Queen Victoria. She loved contributing to charities and is also among the founding members of the British Red Cross and the president of the Royal British Nurses’ Association.

Want your baby girl to be kind and humble as she grows up while shining brightly and inspiring others to do the same? With royal baby names like Helena, you can’t go wrong.

Louise: Famous warrior

The fourth daughter of Queen Victoria, Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, is probably the most famous royal Louise in British history. She was an avid supporter of the arts and advanced education and an early feminist as well.

With these royal baby names, you’re sure to create a trend or two in your own home, while seeing your child develop into an exemplary young man or woman. Which is your favourite?

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At Schoolhouse Daycare, we enjoy learning, encouraging confidence and we love life! If you think your child would enjoy life at Schoolhouse, then please do not hesitate to arrange a visit.

Need more help or advice? Find more from us here:

Crafting Like Kings and Queens: Fun DIY Coronation Craft Activities for Children

Posted on May 1, 2023April 28, 2023 by schoolhouse

Ah, yes – the big royal event coming on May, the 6^th, 2023: the Coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey, London, with many people already celebrating it with coronation craft activities at home with their young ones.

It’s going to be an exciting event indeed as thousands of folks get glued to their screens, either having celebrations of their own at home or, perhaps, venturing out into the street to attend the Coronation live, if they can.

What better way to teach your children about the Coronation of the King than with coronation craft activities?! Here’s how you can get them excited.

King’s Crown Craft

This is a good one for starters as you can make this relatively simple and straightforward crown shape using construction paper and embellish with sticky paper, stick-on jewels or just draw and colour your very own customised decorations.

These crowns make for some fun and frugal accessories – perfect for dress up and pretend play with your young ones. With coronations craft activities like these, your adorable children can feel like kings or queens for a full day. Watch this tutorial now to get started.

Royal Crown Printable

This free printable can be used to come up with your own paper crown which you and your children can colour yourselves and proudly wear. Not sure how to start your DIY crafting? Follow this link for detailed instructions.

The Queen’s Guard

Wouldn’t adorable little British Guardsmen just look super on your living room table or kitchen counter? There will be lots of those on the day of the Coronation so why not craft miniature ones of your own? When it comes to coronation craft activities, this is a great way to get your child’s creative juices flowing.

Find some toilet rolls and red, black and yellow felt, the sticky-back kind. You can draw the eyes using a pen but you do need to find something fluffy for the hat. If you want to bypass the sticky-back felt altogether, use regular glue.

See full DIY instructions here.

Royal Sceptre

As you may already know, a sceptre is a very important part of the coronation ceremony, and you can definitely make one yourself for your children at home. It’s perfect for using as a dress-up prop.

You’ll need a fair amount of supplies for this one, including washi tape, bubble tea stray, some paint and strong craft glue as well as step-by-step instructions, which can be found here.

Built a Castle

British royalty has always been associated with castles, with the British royal family having ownership to the Windsor, Balmoral and Hillsborough castles. Round up the kids for some DIY castle building using only kitchen paper rolls, toilet paper rolls and a cardboard box.

Coronation Bookmarks to Colour

Coronation bookmarks can be an excellent way to help your children commemorate Kind Charles’ coronation this May. Save them as memorabilia for the big event or gift to a loved one later as a Coronation keepsake.

With the above coronation craft activities, there will rarely be a dull moment in your household before May the 6^th!

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At Schoolhouse Daycare, we enjoy learning, encouraging confidence and we love life! If you think your child would enjoy life at Schoolhouse, then please do not hesitate to arrange a visit.

Need more help or advice? Find more from us here:

Rainy Day Activities: Creative Indoor Games for Children

Posted on April 19, 2023April 28, 2023 by schoolhouse

Children have a lot of energy so it can be stressful trying to burn this off when confined to the indoors! This happens more often than not since it feels like it’s always raining in Wales! However, we have a few clever tricks up our sleeves. If you’re looking for some rainy day activities to keep the children occupied and entertained, here are some of our most fun and creative ideas.

Rainy day activities

Let’s go on a picnic (rain version!)

Let’s begin with the traditional “Going on a Picnic” game with a twist: rain! Have your little ones take turns as they add the items they would love to bring on a picnic while it’s raining. The participants keep on adding to what the previous ones have already added, until the list gets so massive that no one can remember all the items!

For example: the first player says “I’m going on a picnic in the rain and bringing hot chocolate” – the second player says “I’m going on a picnic in the rain and bringing hot chocolate and an umbrella” – and so on.

Freeze dance

It’s true: no toddler or pre-schooler can say no to a freeze dance. It’s a great way to pacify restless children and get their sillies out! Play some fun music on the stereo and pause it, then resume it. Between the pause-resume transition, children need to stop dancing and freeze in the position they are in.

Easily among the most fun rainy day activities – good times indeed, keep a camera handy!

The great indoors (camping)

With this one, we can get really creative. You can either set up a tent or come up with a DIY one. All you need to do is drape some sheets over the couch or a similar object and pretend you’re getting all cosy somewhere in the woods!

Grab some snacks and comfy blankets, and take your smartphone or tablet along for a family-friendly movie while everybody snuggles and enjoys the indoor adventure.

Indoor obstacle course

Now we’re talking! If you want to up the adventure factor by a few notches, then here are some awesome ideas:

Get on all fours and crawl underneath the kitchen or dining room table. Then do a couple of jumping jacks, shoot a sock or two in the laundry basket and walk from the kitchen or living room to the nearest bedroom while balancing a book on your head – err, or something similar – you get the idea!

You can plan your obstacle course however you like or even look for some online ideas, including this one.

Hopscotch

It’s a classic, isn’t it? Yes, we believe it will always be!

All you need is some Painter’s tape to create hopscotch for your little ones to hop through. Painter’s tape is actually a safe bet as it can be cleaned easily without leaving any marks.

When you’re indoors, and your little ones can’t seem to contain their energy, give the above rainy day activities a go and breathe a sigh of relief later.

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At Schoolhouse Daycare, we enjoy learning, encouraging confidence and we love life! If you think your child would enjoy life at Schoolhouse, then please do not hesitate to arrange a visit.

Need more help or advice? Find more from us here:

Essential Easter Egg Hunt Tips for Parents

Posted on April 5, 2023April 28, 2023 by schoolhouse

It’s that time of year again where traditions are made and the kids are excited (even without the chocolate!). If you’re a family that partakes in the annual Easter Egg Hunt, we’d love to share with you our best tips for parents. Not only do they make hunting a lot more fun but they make them a lot easier for you too! Start making a unique annual tradition for your family with these egg hunting tips.

Tip 1: Use different coloured eggs

If you have more than one child, it’s a good idea to colour-code which eggs they have to find. Not only does this avoid any arguments but it also gives the younger ones an equal chance of finding which is what makes the hunt fun!

Tip 2: Make it age-appropriate

Depending on the age of your little ones, some may need more help in finding the eggs than others. Get creative with how you can help them while still making it a fun game. Here are some suggestions from younger children to older.

Leave tell-tale bunny prints – you can make little bunny footprints out of plain paper or by making some in talcum powder or flour to guide your children to the eggs. If they are a little older, you can just have the prints near each hidden Easter egg as a hint.
Draw a map – you can draw a map of the house or garden, wherever you have hidden the eggs, and make it into a treasure hunt. For younger children, you can make pictures of where eggs might be hidden (such as a chair for the dining room).
Turn it into a scavenger hunt – so much more fun than just finding eggs! Depending on the age of your children, you can make this as easy or as difficult as you like. Hide a clue with each egg to help your child find the next one; each clue can be a riddle, a rhyme, a song or a quote or even something that is specific to your family such as “where Dad spends most of his time.” Each clue should indicate the location and send your children all around the house. A game like this really encourages teamwork!

Tip 3: Always keep track of the eggs

There’s nothing worse than finding a melted chocolate egg under the couch cushion a few months after Easter, so keep track of them to avoid any nasty surprises! This can be simply noting down where you’ve hidden them and ticking them off as your children find them or you can number them, just make sure you have a way of knowing that they have all been found.

Tip 4: You can still do an Easter Egg hunt without the chocolate

If you don’t want to overload your children with chocolate, get creative and come up with some alternative ways to have fun. There are so many ways that you can mix it up but these are our favourites:

Hunt for rewards – buy some plastic Easter eggs and fill them with slips of paper that reward your children for finding them. Things like ‘stay up for an extra 15 minutes,’ ‘ride in the front of the car to school’ or ‘choose what we watch on movie night.’ Your children will be just as excited when they get to redeem their rewards whenever they want.
Word game – there are two ways that you can make a game out of words but for both, you need to buy some alphabet stickers or write a letter on the outside of each egg first. The first game is to let your children hunt for the eggs and then they have to make the longest word that they can out of their egg stash to get a prize. The second game is that they have to work together to form a word that you have spelt which could be a clue to a surprise or a certain treat or what you’re going to do on the weekend.

Tip 5: Extend Easter beyond the egg hunt

If you don’t want to do an Easter Egg hunt or you feel like it is over too quickly, use the rest of the Easter weekend to engage in other fun Easter-themed activities. Here are a couple of quirky ideas to give some inspiration:

Egg and spoon race – a classic game which is fun for all the family! You can keep it simple or make it into an obstacle course. For older children, you can even split into teams and blindfold one player while the other directs them through the course (just be careful!).
Magic planting – plant some jelly beans in the garden with your children and say that they will magically transform into their favourite sweets by morning. While they sleep or in the morning, replace these with lollypops or their favourite sweets and say that they are a gift from the Easter Bunny.
Gift baskets – arts and crafts, a homemade card, and some rice krispie Easter eggs that you baked – fun and a nice gift for family or friends!

Have fun as a family this Easter and start making memories that you will never forget!

At Schoolhouse Daycare, we enjoy learning, encouraging confidence and we love life! If you think your child would enjoy life at Schoolhouse, then please do not hesitate to arrange a visit.

Need more help or advice? Find more from us here:

Gardening with children: tips for getting them involved and interested!

Posted on March 27, 2023March 13, 2023 by schoolhouse

Gardening with children is one of the most popular pastimes for many parents and grandparents. It’s relaxing, productive and brings with it a huge sense of pride and achievement. Getting your children interested in gardening delivers all of the above, with the added bonus of being an easy introduction to science and nature. There are several ways to introduce this wonderful hobby to little ones, and the following are just a few suggestions to get you started.

Getting Their Hands Dirty

Preparation is key for most things in life, and planting flowers or vegetables are no exception. The good news is that most kids love getting stuck into anything muddy, so pulling out some weeds and raking over the soil won’t seem like work at all to them. There are loads of mini gardening sets available which are perfect for little hands, so let them get stuck in, just be aware that they will probably want to adopt a few worms as pets!

Simple Starter Seeds

Sunflowers, Candy Tuft, Nasturtium and Love in a Mist are all renowned for their easy-to-grow properties. This makes them ideal starter seeds for a child’s first attempt at planting. Sunflowers, in particular, make a stunning display, and any child will be over the moon to have planted and nurtured a flower that ends up way taller than themselves! If there are space restrictions in your garden, pretty little Candy Tuft will easily fill a small area with an array of vibrant colours.

From Pot to Plate

Not all gardens lend themselves to growing flowers; if you don’t have such a space, you can still have fun with your children. Growing vegetables in pots are becoming increasingly popular, and it’s amazing what kids will eat when they know they’ve grown it themselves. Peas, potatoes, peppers and squash are very easy to grow, and they thrive in our climate. A small, portable greenhouse doesn’t need glass and is perfect for older or more experienced growers to produce plump, juicy tomatoes, chillies and cucumbers.

Stop the Boredom in its Tracks

So the soil has been prepared, the seeds are planted, and now we have the boring bit – waiting for them to grow. This is the crucial step as children aren’t known for their patience and may well get sick of waiting to see the green shoots and lose interest. A great way to stop this is to let them do crafty stuff to brighten up the garden or yard. Painting pots in bright colours, making a simple bird feeder or letting them create a ‘secret’ den are all things that are easy to implement and will stop the boredom from setting in.

Nothing sums up the magic of gardening quite like a child’s face when they see that first green shoot poking through the soil. They will be so proud of their achievement and will be hungry for more. They won’t realise much later that by planting those seeds, they have learned how to nurture, take responsibility and have a whole new level of respect for nature. Instil this in them at a young age, and it may well be a passion they have for life.

At Schoolhouse Daycare, we enjoy learning, encouraging confidence and we love life! If you think your child would enjoy life at Schoolhouse, then please do not hesitate to arrange a visit.

Need more help or advice? Find more from us here:

Tips for Parents – How to Live on a Budget with Children?

Posted on March 13, 2023 by schoolhouse

Raising kids is expensive. Not to mention, unpredictable. There are so many things to budget for that it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Here are some simple money-saving tips for parents to save on the go, gain better control over their finances and still be able to enjoy family time.

5 Money-Saving Tips for Parents

Here are some simple money-saving tips for parents that you can employ. However, you must know each of them will work only with some patience and a whole lot of discipline.

1. Budget for all expenses (and stick to it)

One in 5 people in the UK don’t keep track of their expenses. Please, don’t be one of them! You must track your monthly expenses so that you know where your money is going – and only then can you create a realistic budget. It is the first step to saving money. Make a budget and stick to it with discipline.

2. Indulge in weekly meal planning

Food is one of the most expensive outgoings, especially with kids around. The good news is, you can save a significant amount by planning your meals. Make a weekly meal plan and then shop for only the items that you will require. It will help you avoid buying a whole lot of things that you don’t need, like that extra packet of biscuits or [inset favourite snack here].

3. Avoid spending on unnecessary things

It is tempting to buy your child that toy they have wanted or that new video game or that new book. While it might make your child happy for a while, it will definitely not sit well with your finances. Avoid acting on impulse and buying unnecessary things, and save the gift-giving for occasions.

4. Shop smartly

Be a smart shopper. If you spot essential items, like toilet paper or nappies, on sale – buy in bulk. If you find clothes for your kids on sale – buy one size up. If you can use coupons somewhere – don’t shy from it; use them whenever you can.

5. Be mindful of spending on experiences

It is easy to get carried away when spending on experiences with kids. We want to take them everywhere. But if your finances can’t afford that now – don’t indulge in it. Your child will be just as happy at the park or even at home playing a game with you as they will be anywhere else. All they want is to spend time with you.

These are just a few of the many money-saving tips for parents that you can try. But, most importantly, don’t forget the one gamechanger – save, save, and save whenever you can; however you can. It all adds up.

Every little helps

A recent survey revealed that during the COVID pandemic, nearly 43% of parents of young children in the UK were worried that ‘their households had run out of money’. Many had lost their jobs, incurred unforeseen expenses, and used up what little savings they had.

The lesson to be learned here is that you must save whenever you can – because life is good at throwing curveballs. And, with kids around, you need an even stronger safety net.

Even if it is just £5 a day, put it away in a jar and only open it when it is full. Over a few months, you will notice how significant an amount you would have saved without much effort.

At Schoolhouse Daycare, we enjoy learning, encouraging confidence and we love life! If you think your child would enjoy life at Schoolhouse, then please do not hesitate to arrange a visit.

Need more help or advice? Find more from us here:

St David´s Day: What is it and how can you celebrate it with your children?

Posted on March 1, 2023March 13, 2023 by schoolhouse

Want to know more about St David’s Day? And maybe how you can get the children involved in the tradition? If you love any excuse to celebrate, St David´s Day is a great one. Here´s how you can join in with the fun or get creative and make your own traditions.

What is St David´s Day?

The 1^st March is the date we celebrate the Patron Saint of Wales, and those with either a Welsh heritage or simply an appreciation of the Welsh culture, will partake in many traditions. For example, dressing in traditional clothes, singing, and making Welsh cakes!

Things to do on St David´s Day

Attend an Eisteddfod

The traditional Welsh arts festival, pronounced Ay-steth-vod, is considered the ultimate St David’s Day celebration. Dancing, singing and generally having fun is the order of the day at an Eisteddfod and many events are being held across Wales. If you can’t get to one, why not throw your own mini-event? Dress the little ones up in traditional Welsh costumes, ramp up the music and have a St David’s Day to remember.

All Things Daffodil

This vibrant yellow flower, with its instantly recognisable trumpet shape, is the national flower of Wales. Sadly, they don’t stick around for long, and a great way of keeping the sunshine flower with you all year round is to get creative with some daffodil crafting. There are numerous hints and tips to be found online for using both real flowers and creating your own.

Love crafts? Leeks and Dragons are also symbols of Wales, so there´s a lot of options to choose from or you can do them all!

Have Some Fun in the Kitchen

Traditional Welsh fare will be on thousands of tables come the 1^stof March. Whilst the adults will take care of the actual meal, your children can get involved by making some easy, yet delicious, Welsh cakes. Created using only 5 main kitchen staples as ingredients; butter, self-raising flour, caster sugar, sultanas, and an egg, you can easily customise your recipe to make them appealing to all ages.

Not a fan of sultanas? Sandwich two plain Welsh cakes together using jam for a delicious treat youngsters will love!

Sing a Song

Approximately 22% of Welsh people actually speak the Welsh language, but whether you speak the native tongue or not, there are many simple songs you can teach your children as an introduction to this musical language. Nursery rhymes are easy to learn, and a vast range is available on YouTube, so take a look. Children love to sing and will really enjoy partaking in a song that sounds so different and unusual to their ears. If a song is too much for them, then a simple phrase such as Happy St David’s Day, ‘Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus´, will more than suffice.

Movie Day

If the weather forecast is poor (which is likely!), or you are simply unable to organise anything outside, get the Welsh cakes made and settle down to a film or two. Bonus points if they are set in Wales.

A quick search will produce a myriad of choices, many of which are suitable for younger children. There will also be televised St David’s Day celebrations for your family to enjoy if you´d prefer.

At Schoolhouse Daycare, we enjoy learning, encouraging confidence and we love life! If you think your child would enjoy life at Schoolhouse, then please do not hesitate to arrange a visit.