Simon Says is a classic game that most children really love, and that is great for teaching the key skill of listening. In ten years of teaching children between the ages of 3-5, I have also tried out a whole host of games that are either a direct variation of Simon Says, or that use …
There seem to be a few rumors online that worry dolls are linked to voodoo, or are connected to bad luck, or a few other things like that. So, I thought I would set the record straight! Worry dolls are a positive resource that originated in South America, and have subsequently become used around the …
Worry dolls are a beautiful idea that originated in South America. The classic way of using them, is children putting them under their pillow at night, to take their worries away. However, there are lots more ways of using them than that, and they are a fantastic tool for alleviating stress and anxiety in children. …
If you’re a fan of Red Light, Green Light, and you want to find out some more games that are pretty similar in every way, then you’ve come to the right place. Some games just like Red Light, Green Light include: All of these games include some of the main features of Red Light, Green …
There is probably no trickier part of early phonics than teaching children how to rhyme! Some children just get it straight away, and others take literally years, and can often read fluently before they are able to rhyme successfully. It is the one area I am asked about the most in early phonics, and so …
Teaching children to count by 2s is a multi-step process. I have split it into three main phases, how to start, how to develop the skill, and how to practice it once children have mastered the process. I have tried out all the following strategies over the last ten years of my teaching career. Over …
Counting by 10s is a really important skill in life. To teach children this skill in the fastest and most effective way, it is wise to go through three phases. Put simply, start with the easiest activities where children are being introduced to rote counting in tens. Then move on to activities where children are …
The game of charades is one of the classics of parties, celebrations, and even education. But the standard rules are just a starting point. With a few twists, this game can be changed into so many different versions. There are versions for all age groups, from 3 to 103. Also, there are versions for all …
Rhyming is a very hard concept, and a lot of children take a long time to understand it. In ten years of teaching young children, I have seen many children learn to read fluently, and still not be able to complete a rhyming string. However, there are some steps you can put in place, to …
Children love to move about! You’ve probably noticed this – but how do you link this to being mindful? Mindfulness activities have huge benefits for children. It relaxes them, calms them down, and helps them think and learn much better. But how do you get them to be mindful and move at the same time? …