10 July 2024 Raising our children with empathy, respect, and understanding is at the heart of the gentle parenting approach. Gentle parenting focuses on building strong, positive relationships rather than using traditional, authoritarian methods.
Today, we’re exploring the core principles of gentle parenting, debunking some common myths, and sharing practical tips to help you create a loving and respectful family dynamic.
What is gentle parenting?
The gentle parenting approach is all about nurturing and focusing on empathy, respect, and positive discipline. It’s about understanding children’s feelings, treating them as individuals with their rights, and fostering their emotional growth.
Gentle parenting encourages open communication and mutual respect, creating
Read more
5 July 2024 Encouraging independence in children is crucial for building their confidence and self-reliance. By integrating daily routines and reward systems, along with practical tools like charts and routine templates, we can significantly aid this developmental goal.
Here´s how.
a
The importance of routine in encouraging independence
Establishing a routine is fundamental to encouraging independence in children. Why? Because regular schedules provide the necessary structure and predictability that´s essential for healthy development.
For example, such routines:
enhance confidence,
reduce anxiety during transitions,
and provide a sense of security.
And this allows children to confidently tackle new challenges.
a
Age-appropriate chores to build independence
Incorporating age-appropriate chores into
Read more
10 June 2024 Learning to assess hazards and understand risks in life is a normal part of an adult’s every day – but how did we learn to do this – and how can we teach our children to do the same?
Taking risks and learning from them is an inevitable and important part of growing up. And as parents or carers, it is our responsibility to encourage healthy risk-taking behaviour. By understanding different types of such behaviour and the motivation behind them, you can set children up for success and reduce their risk of harm in future life.
Here´s our essential guide to risky
Read more
5 June 2024 Why is it important for a child to feel safe?
Since it´s Child Safety Week, we thought this was an important question to answer.
At Schoolhouse Daycare, we are committed to child safety and ensuring that every child feels secure and nurtured in our environment. After all, this is key to helping them learn and grow confidently, and for the healthy development of their young minds.
If you want to know more about how to make a child feel safe and why this is so important, read on.
a
The importance of feeling safe and valued
Feeling safe and valued is essential for a child’s development.
Read more
10 May 2024 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,
Read more
5 May 2024 Ever wondered why play is so important for children?
In this article, we explore why this is, particularly the science behind play and how it helps the young brain develop.
From brain development and emotional resilience to its essential role in healthy human growth, here is why play is so crucial and what you can do as parents to support and encourage this development.
a
The neurological foundations of play
Play is vital for brain development, quickly establishing complex neural networks in babies that form the basis for their future cognitive, emotional, and physical growth. Infants strengthen these connections by exploring their surroundings and interacting
Read more
10 April 2024 Spring is in the air! This means it´s the perfect time to get our children outside, learning and engaging in spring activities that nurture their physical well-being.
Need help with some ideas? Here´s why spring activities are so important along with our top ideas to help with your child´s learning and development.
The benefits of outdoor learning in spring
Outdoor play is so important for children as they grow – here´s why:
Enhanced physical development: Spring activities encourage children to be active, improving their physical strength, coordination, and overall fitness.
Stimulated curiosity and exploration: The vibrant spring environment, with its new life
Read more
5 April 2024 There’s nothing better than family time, especially around big holidays such as Easter. These are perfect for creating moments filled with laughter and creativity.
Want to create some Easter traditions? Let’s take a look at some experiences that are what Easter is all about, giving us precious memories to cherish.
1. Creative easter egg hunts
One of the most beloved Easter traditions for families is the Easter egg hunt, a thrilling quest for hidden treasures that delight both the young and the young at heart. Let’s take this tradition a step further with some inventive twists that promise even more fun and
Read more
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
Read more
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
Read more
