November 2017 - Schoolhouse Day Care

A row of cups filled with different coloured paint

5 Reasons Why Messy Play Is Important and Benefits Children

November 28, 2017

Many parents are put off by messy play, as although the idea of finger painting or crafts sounds fun at first, the reality of paint, glue and glitter getting everywhere and the inevitable operation clean up that follows it soon sets in. However, many studies have shown that messy play is one of the best ways for our children to learn and develop, so now is the time to embrace it and get messy!
Here at Schoolhouse Daycare, we encourage our children to engage in messy and sensory play as much as possible as the many benefits are worth it. Plus,

Surprising Reasons Why Outdoor Play is Healthy in Winter

November 14, 2017

In Scandinavian preschools, you will find children playing outside at every opportunity. Even in the depths of Winter, children will be wrapped up in warm overalls and will spend the day exploring forests, climbing moss-clad boulders or wading in creeks up to their rain boots. With these forest schools promoting exclusive outdoor play and its benefits, why is it then that we are not following suit?
As with many things in life, we tend to adopt the behaviours and ideas of our culture because it is what we are used to. In the UK, this typically involves staying indoors for the