How to encourage your children to read for pleasure

10 March 2024

Encouraging children to read for pleasure can truly open up a world of adventure and imagination, significantly benefiting their development. In an era dominated by screens, convincing our children to pick up a book can often feel like a bit of a mission, right? Well, hopefully, not anymore.
We’re here to share some top tips for encouraging children to read – making the journey not just effective but incredibly fun for everyone involved.
Top tips for encouraging reading
There are so many benefits to reading.

Reading for pleasure boosts literacy skills, making words their friends rather than foes.
It fires

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Why early reading experiences are important for children (and how to provide opportunities)

5 March 2024

Early reading experiences are the foundation of lifelong learning and success. These first experiences with books not only spark imagination but also equip children with critical thinking and emotional intelligence. 
Here we will take a look at the vital role early reading plays in shaping the minds and futures of our children.
Why is early reading important?
Cognitive development
Early reading experiences are like a workout for the young brain. These experiences boost cognitive abilities, laying the foundation for critical thinking, problem-solving, and memory skills. As children navigate the twists and turns of narratives, they’re also constructing the mental pathways for complex thought.

Language and

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Random Acts of Kindness Day: the Benefits for Families

10 February 2024

Random Acts of Kindness Day is a perfect time for us to spread some joy together. From brightening someone´s day to bringing you closer as a family, kindness is truly magical. Let’s look at how random acts of kindness for families can benefit everyone! 
Enhancing emotional wellbeing
Isn’t it amazing how a simple act of kindness can light up your day? Random acts of kindness for families aren’t just about making others smile; it’s a surefire way to boost your happiness too! 
When we’re kind to others, it’s like a happiness boomerang – it comes right back to us, reducing stress and making

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Professional Love in Early Years Settings: Why it´s Essential

Ever heard of professional love in early years? It’s about the unique care we early years educators offer, distinct from parental love but equally important. In fact, it’s gaining recognition for its role in young children’s development and wellbeing, going beyond basic education to provide warmth and emotional support. In this article, we give you some insights into what professional love is and why it is so beneficial for children.
What is professional love?
Dr. Jools Page introduced the professional love in early years concept to describe the unique care educators provide, distinct from but complementary to parental love.
While

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Nurturing Wellbeing and Emotions: How to Help Your Children Identify and Manage Their Feelings

19 January 2024

Emotional intelligence is a crucial aspect of children’s development, and as a parent, it’s important to help your children manage their feelings effectively. It’s all about preparing them for a lifetime of identifying, understanding, and controlling their feelings in a healthy way. To help you do just that, here are some practical tips to help you guide your children towards emotional awareness and resilience.
Role model emotional behaviour
As a parent, you’re the blueprint your children follow for managing emotions. By demonstrating calm and composed reactions in your own life, you’re teaching your children the art of emotional control. Remember, in teaching

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15 Time-Saving Tips For Busy Parents

10 January 2024

As a parent, you’re constantly racing against time, balancing family responsibilities with personal needs. It’s crucial to find those precious moments for your family and yourself. We outline straightforward, effective time-saving tips for families, aimed at streamlining your daily routine.
1. Be Realistic
Juggling life’s demands means setting achievable goals and not trying to conquer the world every day. An important time-saving tip for families is about striking a balance, not reaching for the stars every time.
2. Prioritise Sleep
Remember, a well-rested parent is a productive one. Ensuring you get enough shut-eye isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.
3. Aim For Nutritional Balance
A balanced

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How You Can Strengthen Family Relationships in the New Year

28 December 2023

Do you want to strengthen family relationships this new year?
Family is the most important thing to all of us so naturally, when we think of how to bring even more happiness and success to the new year, spending more time together is pretty much at the top of our list. If you want to strengthen family relationships in the coming year, here are some great ideas that are easy to implement straight away!
1. Follow a routine
Over the Christmas holidays, it’s easy for daily routines to get scraped but what many families don’t know is that lack of structure can be

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Why You Should Use Kindness Elves This Christmas (Instead of the Elf on The Shelf)

2 December 2023

With Christmas fast approaching, it won’t be long before a certain elf comes to stay for their annual visit. Each day in December, they bring magic and mischief to our homes – causing chaos all in the name of Christmas spirit. Yet, have you ever wondered what it would be like if they were nicer? This year we invite you to find out! We’ve switched out our Elf on the Shelf and are ready to share all of our secrets about why you should use kindness elves this Christmas.
What are the benefits of using kindness elves?
There are many reasons

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What are the Best Christmas Stories to Read at Bedtime?

25 November 2023

The tradition of reading Christmas stories is a magical part of the festive season, creating special bedtime moments for children. However, choosing the right story is key! It sparks the imagination and captures the true Christmas spirit, making every night leading up to the big day a memorable one.
Here are our favourite Christmas stories to read at bedtime:
1. A Christmas Carol

Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” features Ebenezer Scrooge, a man who dislikes Christmas. Haunted by ghosts showing his life’s impact, he realises his meanness. On Christmas, he awakens kinder, embracing the Christmas spirit of generosity. Read the

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16 Money-saving Tips For Families

11 November 2023

Let’s face it: keeping our family finances afloat can sometimes feel like we’re trying to fill a leaky bucket. Here are our top money-saving tips for families to help save those pennies:
1. Slash Your Food Bills
Plan your meals around what’s on sale and snag those deals with coupon apps. Set a cash budget for your supermarket runs to keep a tight rein on spending.

2. Keep Your Festivities Frugal
Making homemade decorations is fun for the whole family while keeping the costs low, a great money-saving tip for families. 
3. Embrace Secondhand Options
Scoop up pre-loved clothes and toys, and sell what you no

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