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Tips to support parents from the Institute of Health Visiting & ERIC

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The new, Government-backed guide to when and how to potty train your child

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The Potty Training Guide - Starting Reception

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Potty training is an important milestone in your child’s development. We understand that all children develop at their own pace, but research shows it’s best for your child’s bowel and bladder health to stop using nappies, including reusable nappies, pull ups and training pants, between 18 and 30 months.

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Learn first aid skills for babies and children

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Learn first aid skills for babies and children

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Learn skills to help a baby or child in a first aid emergency

Our First Aid skills are simple, easy-to-learn, and suitable for anyone looking to learn first aid and help others in an emergency. Explore the different skills below to enhance your own learning so you may be able to assist during an emergency.

Staying safe while giving first aid

Please always consider your personal safety when giving first aid. Look out for any dangers and only act when you're confident it is safe to do so.

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Learn simple first aid skills for babies and children so you will feel confident to help in an emergency.

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Hi I'm Charlie, your virtual assistant. I will explain how to use this online noticeboard (Padlet). 

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Hi I'm Charlie, your virtual assistant. I will explain how to use this online noticeboard (Padlet). 

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Please use the column headings to find the information you need

Then scroll down the column to see the information

Click on the links to view the information

To find other headings please scroll right

If you are using a mobile you can click on the 3 dots on this post and choose start slide show. This makes it easier to look through the information on a smaller screen.

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Brili Routines - Visual Timer - Apps on Google Play

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Fun activities and things to do with your child to help with their communication skills

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Fun activities and things to do with your child to help with their communication skills

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Almost any daily activity is a chance to talk, bond and have fun with your child. They're also proven to help your child's development, from newborn to 5 years.

Just select an age range below for loads of inspiration of things to do with your child today.

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Fun activities and things to do with your child to help with their communication skills.

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Visit our website for more information on all of our courses: Welcome To Isle Of Wight Family Centres : Isle Of Wight Family Centres

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Welcome To Isle Of Wight Family Centres : Isle Of Wight Family Centres

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We discussed the use of mirrors to help children in recognising feelings and expressions, and about the use of feelings fans.  We also looked at top tips for communicating with our children.

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We discussed the use of mirrors to help children in recognising feelings and expressions, and about the use of feelings fans.  We also looked at top tips for communicating with our children.

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It is helpful to remember that teaching toddlers positive behaviours takes time and a consistent approach.

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Model how we calm ourselves down:
-deep breaths
-blowing bubbles
-going for a walk
-having a drink of water
-washing hands (a process of distraction and resetting our emotional thermostat).

Time-in is preferable to time-out or the ‘naughty step’.  Sit them down next to you and say it’s Time to Calm Down, or they may have a cushion, a tent or a space they can use to calm down.

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Some tantrums are unemotional tantrums.  

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Some tantrums are unemotional tantrums.  

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This means that children have learned that by acting out a tantrum they can get what they want.  We may have given in to them at one point and they have learned that this is how to get what they want.  We may still need to hug and reassure children, but it is important not to give in to children who tantrum in order to get something.  Instead acknowledge (empathise) that they are angry/cross/frustrated/ because they can’t get what they want, and then distract them/or ignore them.

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Tantrums and hugs help children regulate their behaviours by giving them a hug when they start to feel distressed.  We spoke about emotional tantrums where children become overwhelmed because of the strength of their feelings.  This is distressing for children and they will need reassurance and attention after having a tantrum.  Avoid asking them why they did what they did – they won’t know and they won’t have the ability or the language to tell you.  Avoid talking about what happened, to the child, or to anyone else in front of the child.

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5. Use distractions with young children rather than telling them off or drawing more attention to their negative behaviours. Try to ignore irritable behaviour such as whining, baby voices, clinging to you, shouting etc. and distract them instead.

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4. Give choices – This helps children feel that they have some control in what is going on around them.  Choice stops arguments, debates and nagging.  Instead of saying “get your coat on”, ask them “coat first or wellies first?” which gives them something to think about.

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3. Use When and Then – “when you’ve put the toys away then we will go to the park”, “when you’ve eaten your dinner then we will play in the garden.”

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2. Avoid questioning commands such as “Would you like to eat your broccoli?” “Would you like to put the toys away?” If children respond by saying “no” we have made life difficult for ourselves.  We either have to ignore their response which is confusing and distressing for the child, or we have to do what they want.  Tell children what we need them to do.

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1. Tell children what we want them to do rather than what we don’t want them to do.  Instead pf “Don’t run” say “Please walk”.

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Over the previous sessions we have looked at building positive relationships through the use of:

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Over the previous sessions we have looked at building positive relationships through the use of:

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-Empathy

-Giving our time and attention – listening and talking

-Letting them lead their play

-Praise and encouragement

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Triggers to some behaviour:
-tiredness
-hunger
-frustration
-needing our attention.

It is helpful to remember that children need our attention for their wellbeing, their emotional and social development and their brain development.

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This can help children feel safe and secure, and it let's them know what is happening.

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•      Allow toddlers freedom to explore their world - through play, and a focus on child directed play

•      Keep toddlers safe by monitoring them – pre-empting situations, redirecting

•      Establish clear limits and boundaries –   teach and model positive behaviours through praise and encouragement

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We need to allow them to explore and we need to establish boundaries and limits to keep them safe physically and emotionally.
Toddlers don’t necessarily like us doing this and they may protest!

Limited language means toddlers may resort to more physical behavior to get what they need or want.

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Toddlers are biologically programmed to explore and test limits.
Toddlers need to explore - this helps them to learn about the world and to develop a sense of independence and eventually self-control.
Toddlers test limits to find out what is possible.

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“We get more of what we pay attention to”

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“We get more of what we pay attention to”

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We shared that parents say, on average, nine negative comments to every one positive.
Focusing on praising our children and family members can help us identify what is going well, and help to change the atmosphere in the family.
We also discussed the phrase - “We get more of what we pay attention to”.

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We also talked about praise for doing and praise for being.

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We also talked about praise for doing and praise for being.

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Praise for being is praising our children for just being them – for having a lovely smile, for making us laugh, for giving great cuddles!

Praise for doing can be particularly helpful when we are struggling to find ways to praise our children if they are struggling with their behaviour.

It is also helpful to praise effort, positive attitudes, and persistence.  Evidence shows that praising our children for their effort builds their resilience and helps them to take on challenges in their learning as they get older.

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This week we looked at praise – being specific with our praise so that children know what we are praising them for, and what we want to see more of.

So rather than saying well done, or good boy, or good girl for playing nicely, it is helpful to say things like
-“Well done for using your spoon”
-“You are kind sharing your Lego”
-“You’re a superstar for sitting quietly when I’m on the phone”.

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We looked at the value of sharing books with our children, and how nursery rhymes with actions can really help in children’s language development – five nursery rhymes a day (like our fruit and veg!)

Wind the bobbin up

Grand old Duke of York

Ring-a ring-a roses

Polly put the kettle on

The wheels on the bus

Head shoulders knees and toes

Row, row, row your boat

One two three four five…

5 Little monkeys

Dingle dangle scarecrow

Twinkle Twinkle

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And how we can help toddlers to regulate their feelings, and explored how EMPATHY can be a powerful way of showing children that we understand how they are feeling, whilst also giving them the words to match their feelings/emotions.

So even if we don’t agree with their behaviour or like their behaviour we can still acknowledge their feelings “I think you look cross…”  “I wonder if you’re frustrated…”.

We can then offer a distraction, or a hug.   In some situations we may say “You sound angry … and it’s not okay to hit”.

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We discussed the things that our toddlers may be trying to communicate, and how they may behave if they are unable to communicate verbally:-

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We discussed the things that our toddlers may be trying to communicate, and how they may behave if they are unable to communicate verbally:-

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We also had a look at how we can promote language development in our toddlers by talking about the importance of having a language rich environment.

Talking to your child about what they are doing in their play, about the activities you are doing and what you can see and hear when you are out and about.

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Mark making activities for young children 

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Mark making activities for young children 

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Mark Making Activities For Younger Children - Early Years Careers

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Mark Making Activities For Younger Children - Early Years Careers

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There are many resources out there available to purchase to help with mark making, however, try these 10 simple mark making activities for younger children

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Why is den building important for children's development

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Why is den building important for children's development

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Why Is Den Building Important To Children's Development (earlyyearscareers.com)

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How can den building activities support children's development?

On the 17th of June 2016, children across the country took part in a den building day to raise money for charity. Save the Children held the campaign to raise awareness for children around the world who lack vital resources such as water and shelter. This also gave children the opportunity to take part and build on their development through imaginative play.

Den building offers a range of advantages to children of all ages, from physical development to problem solving skills. Children are able to build on their learning by thinking creatively and putting their ideas into reality. Creating dens will give children the opportunity to think outside of the box and problem solve in order to create a structure. Children will also develop communication and language skills as they work as a team to create their den. They will need to take turns in a conversation, explain their ideas and negotiate with others.

Building dens enable children to develop and strengthen their creative skills, deciding on not only structure but appearance too. Children should be offered a range of materials and tools to support their decision making and creative thinking. This activity enables children the space and time to create something individual to themselves and spark their imagination. Resources such as blankets, sheets, wooden pegs, boxes or ribbon can be used to create dens. Building activities will support gross and fine motor skills, whilst developing good hand-eye coordination.

Imaginative play is central to children's development, enabling them to develop an understanding of the world around them. Children are able to build scenarios or stories around their dens, creating characters and plots to support their play. Imaginative play enables children to rein-act past events or create new ones. Children may use familiar characters in their play such as parents, friends or characters from their favourite stories or television programmes. This allows them to test boundaries and experiment with behaviour and feelings, without direct consequences.

Den building also supports children's independent learning skills. Children are able to take on a task and work alone to create a den without the guidance or influence of a practitioner. The activity can be taken outside to allow more space and opportunities for the child to extend the den. The practitioner should enable the child to be in charge of directing the play, only offering support or guidance when requested.

Den building is a great way to encourage a child's holistic development, physically, mentally and socially. Children are able to make this activity their own accomplishment, with little direction from an adult. Can you support den building in your setting?

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Why Is Den Building Important To Children's Development

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Den building offers a range of advantages to children of all ages. How does this activity support children's holistic development?

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Fun Bubble Blowing Activity For Kids - YouTube

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Pinterest is a valuable resource and has hundreds of ideas for play activities.

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Pinterest is a valuable resource and has hundreds of ideas for play activities.

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Pinterest (pinterest) - Profile | Pinterest

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Pinterest | Waiting to be inspired? Welcome. That's what we're here for. ♥️📌

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We had a discussion about toys and we reflected on what our children like to play, and the activities and experiences we provide for our children.

We spoke about some free and inexpensive play resources that you can create from everyday objects in the home such as:
-treasure baskets
-den building
-water play

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We also spoke about how play provides wonderful opportunities for us to model social interactions such as:
-sharing
-saying please/thank you
-listening attentively
-praising and encouraging our children

As we discussed, we are our child’s first and most important educator and they will copy everything that we do as a normal part of their learning, so through play we have opportunities to model the behaviours that we want to see.

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Our first session looked at the value of play, it’s important in the healthy development of our toddlers, and the developmental stages of play.
We also looked at how we can build positive relationships with our children through play, and how including opportunities for child led play in our day can promote confidence, imagination and independence in our children.

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This is not regular play, this is CHILD-LED PLAY - play to help child development

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We looked at how speech is developed, focusing on getting a strong foundation with those looking and listening skills and the importance of adult and child interactions.