Everyone knows the classic children’s game ‘Hide and Seek’, but did you know there are at least 15 variations that children will be able to understand very easily, and that they will quite simply love to play. I have taught children from the ages of 3 to 5 over the last ten years, and in …
Most children don’t learn to listen by sitting still. They need to be actively engaged, moving, and engrossed in something interesting. All these factors will increase their listening abilities by an exponential amount. Ever think that children have selective hearing? Or that they never hear if they’re not interested? Guess what – that’s exactly right. …
Puppets act like magic on young children! They can be the difference between children rolling around on the floor during a carpet time, or sitting in captivated awe! Children are usually far more excited by puppets than they are by humans, and the research suggests this also. But how can you use puppets in teaching? …
Balloon games are fantastic for getting children to cooperate, get active and have fun. I have taught children between the ages of 3-5 for the last ten years, and I have used balloon games regularly to get children working as a team and communicating in an exciting context. The whole curriculum can be linked to …
I have been using parachute games with children aged 3-5 over the last ten years. I have tried literally hundreds of games – some have not been so great. But amongst the hundreds have been some hidden gems! I am listing the forty best ones here! I have done the hard yards for you, and …
In the ten years that I have taught children aged 3-5, I have always found playdough to be probably the number one versatile resource. You can teach skills across the whole curriculum by using it, but it also has many emotional benefits as well. But what exactly are these? The emotional benefits of playdough include …
All children are passionately excited by bubbles! They create that kind of awe and wonder that is a beautiful thing to witness. They spark curiosity, generate talk, and get children moving, communicating and thinking. Of course blowing bubbles out of pots is one thing; bubble wands are great too! However, there are also a huge …
I genuinely think that if you were restricted to just one resource to teach children with, probably the number one choice would be playdough. It is just so tactile, and flexible, and children quite simply love it. You can teach maths, literacy, vocabulary, fine motor, and so many more skills through playdough. Pretty much the …
Parachute games develop many different skills in pre-schoolers. They are one of the best group activities you can try, great for team-building, cooperation, and all sorts of physical skills. If you combine these parachute games with music and songs, then you have a perfect formula – a great way of stimulating listening, attention and interest …
If you are interested in loose parts play, you may well have wondered how to best support it outside. How easily can it be achieved? What resources or skills do you need to get it going? What does loose parts play outside look like? What storage or budget may you need? Is it all worth …