Why Reading Aloud Builds More Than Literacy
Most of us think reading aloud is about learning words. Phonics. Sounding things out. Getting better at reading. And yes, that matters. But there’s something else happening when children read out loud that often gets overlooked. They’re practising how to speak clearly. How to slow down. How to shape words properly and be understood. They’re […]
How to Keep Routines During the Holiday Season
The holidays have a funny way of loosening everything up. Normal wake-up times drift. Meals happen whenever everyone feels like it. Bedtime gets pushed later because there is always one more thing going on. Before long, the routine that usually holds the day together quietly disappears. That does not make you a bad parent. It […]
Why Confidence Comes From Trying, Not Getting It Right
Every skill starts with someone being terrible at it. Children don’t cut straight lines on their first try. They don’t draw inside the edges. They don’t pedal smoothly. They wobble, struggle, hesitate, and sometimes get frustrated. And that’s normal. The funny thing is, none of the early mistakes matter. What actually matters is what happens […]
Why Outdoor Play Beats Screen Time Every Time
You probably already know outdoor play is good for kids. You’ve heard it from teachers, family, and probably from that one friend who swears their child “just sleeps better after fresh air.” And it all sounds nice… but then life happens. You’re juggling a million things, dinner’s half-cooked, someone needs a bath, and the tablet […]
4 Ways Reading Aloud Builds More Than Literacy
If you’ve ever read the same bedtime story for the hundredth time, you’ve probably wondered: Is this really doing anything? The answer is yes, and a whole lot more than you think. Because reading aloud isn’t just about helping kids recognise words on a page. It’s training their ears to hear rhythm and tone. It’s […]
5 Things Children Learn From Outdoor Play
There’s something magical about the backyard. Give a child a stick, a patch of dirt, or a climbing frame, and suddenly they’re explorers, inventors, and superheroes all rolled into one. To us, it just looks like play, “kids being kids”, mess, energy being burned off. But for children, it’s so much more than that. Every […]
Why Kids Need to Learn How to Lose Gracefully
Nobody likes losing. Not kids. Not adults. Not anyone. But here’s the thing, losing is everywhere. You don’t always win the game. You don’t always get the job. You don’t always come first. And while it stings, losing isn’t the end. It’s part of the process. For kids, though, losing can feel huge. It can […]
Why Play is the Most Important Part of Early Learning ?
If you asked most adults what “real learning” looks like, they’d probably picture kids sitting at desks, books open, pencils in hand. But walk into our childcare centre and you’ll see something different. Blocks scattered across the floor. Kids racing outside with capes made of tea towels. A group huddled over a sandpit, completely lost […]
How 15 Minutes of Reading a Day Can Change a Child’s Future
Between the school run, reheating your coffee for the third time, and fishing sultanas out of the couch cushions, “reading time” with your child can sometimes feel like one more thing on a very full list. You know it’s good for them. You’ve heard it’s important. But still… You’re tired. They’re wiggly. And the book you’ve read twelve nights in a row […]
Why Toddlers Ask ‘Why?’ a Thousand Times
There’s a moment, usually sometime between their second and third birthday, when your sweet, curious toddler turns into a relentless detective. “Why is the sky blue?” “Why do birds fly?” “Why can’t I eat ice cream for breakfast?” “Why is it bad for me?” “Why though?” “Why not?” “Why not though?” “BUT WHY NOT THOUGH?!” […]