My 14-month-old wants to play with pens and pencils. Is it safe to let my 14-month-old have pencils to draw with? My husband gave her one and now she screams every time she sees either of us using a pen. She still puts lots of things in her mouth, so what would be the best […]
Continue ReadingWe want our son to grow up to be bilingual. We wish our son to grow up to be bilingual. He is now 15 months and beginning to speak. My husband is Italian but also speaks excellent English. From Louis’ birth, we have each tried to speak our own language to him, but as my […]
Continue ReadingIt is hard to get my son interested in books. I am aware of how important it is to read books to my son Sam, who is 16mths. The problem is that, after the first page or two, he shows no interest, wriggles off my lap and starts to play with something else. We have […]
Continue ReadingI’d like to encourage my son of almost three in imaginative play. How can I encourage my son, who is approaching three, to be more imaginative? He doesn’t play make-believe as I did as a child. Using imagination does appear to come more easily to some children than others. Providing your son with some props […]
Continue ReadingMy son of almost three is always trying to help me around the house. This can be frustrating at times but I don’t want to discourage his helpful nature. What things could I let him do on his own whilst I get on with my jobs? My son of almost three is always trying to […]
Continue ReadingWhen is it safe for children to help cook? My son of 2yrs 4mths always wants to help me. When will it be safe for my children to cook with me? Sophie is 13 months and Ben is 2 years 4 months. They are always wanting to “help” in the kitchen, but I am worried […]
Continue ReadingHow do I provide messy art play at home for my 2 year old? We have recently moved to the country. I have tried in vain to look for an art group suitable for my two-year-old daughter. In her previous class, she loved painting and sticking, and I had none of the mess to cope […]
Continue ReadingHow can I help my three-year-old learn to use scissors? My three-year old becomes very frustrated when using scissors. She usually ends up with torn paper. How can I help her? Using scissors is a skill some children find hard to master, as the blades must be at a 45 degree angle to the paper […]
Continue ReadingHow do I teach my daughter of 2.5 yrs the alphabet? Is two-and-a-half too young to learn the alphabet? My daughter is interested in the letters in her books. Learning to recite ABC is only one part of understanding how letters work. Teaching your daughter that each letter has a sound will prepare her for […]
Continue ReadingI am expecting my second baby in six weeks time. My older son, Fred, is two and a half, and has been attending nursery since September. We have talked to him about the baby constantly, but he never shows much interest, and I am concerned about how he will react when the baby arrives. He […]
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