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Benefits of play

Have a read of our Hot Topics articles about the many benefits that playing can offer young children.

From using natural resources for learning to encouraging adventure play and using play as an opportunity for open-ended discovery.
Benefits of process art for toddlers & preschoolers

Benefits of process art for toddlers & preschoolers

Process art is a hugely positive way to foster creativity in toddlers and preschoolers and comes with many benefits. Process art is all about the experience, rather than the final outcome, providing toddlers and preschoolers with the opportunity to be themselves, make their own decisions and to have the freedom to be creative in a way that suits their learning.
The benefits of pretend play

The benefits of pretend play

Pretend play is an essential part of growing up, and as adults, it’s important for us to encourage toddlers and preschoolers to give it a go. Pretend play comes with many benefits too and helps develop a child’s creativity, recreate social relationships and learn how to get along with others. It’s also necessary developmentally too, being like a ‘rite of passage’ as a child gets older.
Using feet for sensory play activities

Using feet for sensory play activities

Sensory experience is an important part of child development, but often kids are so busy getting their hands messy, that we forget about them using their feet for sensory play activities. Using their feet for sensory or messy play has many benefits, especially when it comes to exploring the sense of touch.
Benefits of adventure play for preschoolers

Benefits of adventure play for preschoolers

Adventure play or imaginative play comes with many benefits for preschoolers and is all about giving them a wide range of resources and materials to have fun with, experiment with and to help them build their own creations with.
Benefits of messy play for preschoolers

Benefits of messy play for preschoolers

Messy play is so much fun and comes with numerous benefits for preschoolers. From playing with water in the bath to creating something with playdough, experimenting with paint and lots of other exciting activities. Messy play provides preschoolers with a great opportunity to learn through unstructured play. There are so many ways preschoolers can benefit and have fun with mess!
Play ideas for young babies

Play ideas for young babies

It's often hard to know how to play with young babies and how to keep them entertained. However, spending time together and interact with them will keep them amused for hours. Have a go at these play ideas with your newborn or young baby this week.
What's all the fuss about heuristic play?

What's all the fuss about heuristic play?

Heuristic play is about playing with real-life, everyday objects and providing kids with an opportunity for open-ended discovery. When children are involved in heuristic play, they are using familiar objects in different ways. It is the process of exploring the different ways to use the objects that is important in the play.
Using natural resources for learning

Using natural resources for learning

Over the years as our living space has decreased and our use of smart phones, tablets and television has increased, children are now often missing out on connections to nature. In our hectic world, children need experiences that were such a big part of their parents’ childhood. Check out these natural resource activities to try with your little ones.
The plus side of play dates

The plus side of play dates

Are play dates really necessary when kids are young? We take a look at some of the benefits and developmental effects play dates can have on older babies, toddlers and pre-school kids when they catch up with their friends.
7 Tips on learning to share

7 Tips on learning to share

Learning to share is all part of growing up, although it doesn't always come naturally with young children. Follow these tips on helping your toddler and pre-schooler learn to share and to develop friendships along the way.
Why it’s ok for kids to be bored

Why it’s ok for kids to be bored

Try stepping back when your kids complain about feeling bored. This will empower them to think for themselves and learn to be resilient. It will also encourage them to find their own way out of the boredom, and the problem-solving process helps them feel good about themselves.
Messy play survival tips for parents

Messy play survival tips for parents

Do you try to avoid doing messy play activities with your kids? You’re not alone! Not all parents relish the idea of messy play. Even the thought of organising messy play activities can be quite stressful for some parents. Find out how to survive messy play sessions at your place - and stay sane in the process!
Why do kids have imaginary friends?

Why do kids have imaginary friends?

There’s evidence that children's imaginary friends are more widespread than ever. Find out why it’s normal, how make believe can affect a child’s development, adjusting to your child’s new friend, when should you be worried and how long will their imaginary friend be around for.
Questions to ask preschoolers about their artwork

Questions to ask preschoolers about their artwork

Young children love to paint and draw, build and sculpt and when they present us with their artworks it’s easy to tell them that they’ve done a great job - whatever the results! However with a few open-ended questions you can find out a little more about what they’ve produced and what inspired them. You’ll also help develop their creative and critical thinking skills in the process.

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