Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thank you for taking the time to pop by and share the journey.

I look forward to next year and sharing more ideas and information with you all .

Sarah xx

Reading with 5 to 6year olds

This is the stage when children can tell you about their favourite story and when they begin to pick out well known words or phrases, e.g, once upon a time, in a dark, dark wood.

♦ Take turns to read bits of a favourite story.  A whole story is too daunting for a new reader.  Don't worry if your child has memorised words or phrases.  This is an important part of learning to read. It gives a sense of satisfaction.  Recognising words will soon follow  once the story is familiar.

♦Talk about pictures and details that catch your child's interest.  This will help with understanding the story and with guessing new words.  Guessing is important when the child understands what the story is likely to say and chooses words which make sense.

♦ Run your finger under the words as you read together.  In this way, words are seen and heard together.

♦ Don't make a fuss if your child can't read a word.  Either say the word yourself or encourage your child to think about what it might say.  Draw attention to the starting sound of the word.  Don't get cross.  At this stage it is more Important that your child enjoys sharing stories  than getting every word right

Reading with 3 to 5 year olds

(Remember , children develop at their own rate this is guidance only)

At this stage children should learn that books give pleasure. They need to handle books, enjoy the pictures and hear lots of stories and rhymes.  This is not the time to worry about testing them on the words they know or sounding out words. Just enjoy the time you spend together sharing books.

This will give children the best foundation for learning to read and love books.  Grandparents and big brothers and sisters can be part of this too.

♦ Read to your child as often as possible - any time, any p!ace, anywhere - in bed, in the car, in the bath.  Also, try to keep a special time for reading, when you can cuddle up together

♦Bring stories to life with lots of expression and silly voices

♦Talk about the stories and pictures and play 'Guess what's going to happen next'

♦ Read favourite books  over and over again. You might have had enough of reading 'the Hungry Caterpillar' but young children love familiarity

♦Learn rhymes and songs together so you both know them by heart and can point to the words as you recite them together

♦ Car boot sales are a great place for book bargains.

♦ Go the library - books are free to loan and they have a great selection of books for children.  Librarians love having babies and children in the library.  Remember if you enrol your child so they have their own card, they will receive no fines if books are late!

♦ Play a game of spot the words on signs and labels - on the street, in shops and in your cupboards

♦ Make sure your child sees you reading newspapers, books and magazines - show them it's cool to read!

(Taken from the booklet: Read to me from Welsh Government)

COOL PHYSICS EXPERIMENT - Ocean in the bottle - how to make - Full HD.mp4

Ocean in a bottle:  calming for any little one.  I have also added glitter and small fishes to these to bring them to life when I made them with my families.

How to Make Ice Cream Play Dough

Last week I went on an amazing conference with Bookstart Cymru.  There were lots of workshops on bringing stories alive including messy play ones on which children could experience the sensations in some oft he stories.

I carry out a lot of messy play activities with the families I work with...however I have never come across this fabulous idea before...Ice Cream Play Dough!

Simply made with cornflour and hair conditioner.   Smelt amazing, felt amazing and cheap to make too.    Total winner!

i. child - dedicated to your child's development and education

http://www.ichild.co.uk

Printable Activities and Education Resources for young children and kids.
You will find lots here to keep your children busy and entertained, including hundreds of free printable activities, worksheets and resources.

Pop on over and have a look guys. Really great ideas from babies up to 11 years covers communication and literacy, personal, social and emotional development and much more.

More on story cube's...

Here are some links to other great sites where you can download some printable cubes or have a go at making your own with a dice template:

Www.communication4all.co.uk

Www.brainpop.co.uk

Www.senteacher.org

And there's many more on line.  You can find a link to a dice template to make your own in a recent previous post which I use from sparklebox.

Have fun....Sarah x