How to build joy, connection, and calm into your daily family life
October 5, 2024
Parenting is one of life’s greatest adventures, filled with moments of joy, connection, and sometimes, a bit of chaos. We all strive to create an environment where our children feel loved, understood, and secure. Let’s explore practical ways to build joy, connection, and calm into your daily family life.
The power of joy
Joy is a powerful force in a child’s emotional and mental development. It creates lasting positive memories and helps build a resilient mindset. When children experience joy, they’re more likely to feel confident, curious, and engaged with the world around them.
Tips for increasing joy
Engage in playful activities: Whether it’s
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September 20, 2024
Feeling completely exhausted from parenting? You’re not alone. Parental burnout is real and can leave you feeling overwhelmed, irritable, and totally disconnected. We all know that you need to be in tip top shape not just for your children, but for your own well-being so this is what this blog is all about.
Here are some practical ways to reduce stress, manage it better, and make sure you’re looking after yourself.
Recognise and address stress
First things first, you need to spot the signs of stress. Parental burnout might show up as feeling overwhelmed, anxious, irritable, or just plain exhausted, so when you
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September 5, 2024
Early Years Wellbeing Week highlights how important mental health is for young children. This week-long celebration focuses on how mindfulness and yoga can enhance the well-being of both children and adults. Let’s take a look at how these practices can create a balanced and happy life for you and your little ones.
The importance of mindfulness
Mindfulness is all about being present and aware of your thoughts and feelings without distraction. For both children and adults, it can work wonders by reducing anxiety, boosting focus, and improving emotional control.
Yoga for children can be a fantastic way to introduce mindfulness. This activity not
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August 20, 2024
Have you heard about “Cynefin”? This concept is integral to the new curriculum for Wales, which aims to help children feel connected to their community and heritage.
Never heard of it? We’ve got all the information about Cynefin and its benefits for your children.
What is cynefin?
Cynefin is a Welsh concept that means more than just habitat; it signifies a deep sense of belonging, rootedness, and identity. Culturally, it plays an essential role in Wales, highlighting the importance of understanding one’s place in the world and connections to community and heritage. This sense of belonging and identity is crucial for creating a
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August 10, 2024
Technology is everywhere, shaping how we communicate, work, and even relax – and with it comes many challenges. For parents, technology use can bring incredible opportunities BUT it can also significantly impact family life (and not in a good way!).
Since striking the right balance is crucial for our children (and our own sanity!), this article explores some practical strategies to ensure your family benefits from technology without being overwhelmed by it.
1. Understand the impact of technology
Technology offers great benefits, like educational resources, connectivity with loved ones, and endless entertainment. With the right apps, learning becomes engaging, and staying in touch
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July 10, 2024
Raising our children with empathy, respect, and understanding is at the heart of the gentle parenting approach. It’s no wonder then, why this method is becoming increasingly popular.
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 about nurturing and building strong, positive relationships rather than using traditional, authoritarian methods. 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 a more
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July 5, 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.
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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.
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Age-appropriate chores to build independence
Incorporating age-appropriate chores into
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June 5, 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.
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The importance of feeling safe and valued
Feeling safe and valued is essential for a child’s development.
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May 5, 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.
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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
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March 10, 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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