What will my child learn at nursery?

Nursery marks the first step in a child’s academic journey. It is a stage in their life where they will embark on a path which helps them learn through a set curriculum, whilst developing new skills that will prepare them for the life of a hard-working individual. However, many believe children purely go to nursery to play and be observed. Whilst there is some truth to this, a lot more is involved than perceived. Most nurseries follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, which ensures that when the time comes for them to move onto reception, they are prepared. From the development of social skills to intellectual growth, below is some advice on what your child will learn at nursery. 

Christmas gift guide for babies, toddlers and preschoolers

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Aquadoodle Super Rainbow Deluxe

Let your creative imagination go wild with the new Aquadoodle Super Rainbow Deluxe (RRP £20.00) from Tomy. The toy supports STEAM learning as it allows children to be creative and develop their artistic skills.

Simply fill the Aquadoodle pen with ordinary tap water, run the nib over the magic mat and see the colours appear!

Any water that does run off the mat, runs clear. No mess, no stains, nothing to worry about. As your drawings dry, designs fade away, ready for the mat to be used again, over and over again. When you need to, just refill the Aquadoodle pen with water and go again!

Included in the set is a special paintbrush that lets you make broader strokes, as well as three stampers for added mess-free fun.

Casdon Chip ‘N’ Pin Till review

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As we love role play toys and champion toys that inspire and support imaginative, role play we are fans of Casdon toys. 

Part of the Casdon Little Shopper range the Casdon Chip ‘n’ Pin Till is a shopping till with loads of features such as a working calculator, card reader plus realistic lights and sounds. 

TMNT Half Shell Heroes 4 in a box puzzle set by Ravensburger Puzzle - review.

As Bug loves puzzles and is a huge fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles he was delighted to turn his hand to the TMNT Half Shell Heroes 4 in a box puzzle set by Ravensburger Puzzle.

Aimed at little ones from 3 years+ the puzzle set consists of 4 puzzles approximately 19cm x 14cm.

The puzzles vary in difficulty with each puzzle being made up of puzzle pieces of different sizes and numbers. The puzzle with the largest sized pieces consists of 12 pieces, with the other puzzles being made up of 16, 20 and 24 pieces.

Peekaboo books - Little Tiger Press.

Our love of books has once again been quenched by Little Tiger Press and their upcoming new books from the Peekaboo collection.

To be published on the 10th March 2016 are 2 new books – Peekaboo 123 and Peekaboo A to Z. Aimed at little ones aged 1-4 years and fun books by illustrator Gareth Lucas.

Both books are equally beautiful, with the fabulous illustrations from the talented Gareth Lucas teaming brilliantly with the humours alliterative text. The board books are chunky with thick pages which are ideal for little hands to hold and turn, with both books featuring large sturdy flaps.

Dobble Kids game - review and giveaway.

As Bug loves puzzles, board games and card games, he was delighted to be sent the new Dobble Kids game to play with.

Bizzy Bitz - review.

Bug loves creative and construction toys. He can spend hours creating and building something, letting his imagination run wild as he crafts to his heart’s content.

As Bug loves toys that allow him to create and build things from his imagination he was very excited about using the 63 piece Bizzy Bitz set to make something.

Train! – Little Tiger Press book.

As I’ve previously mentioned Bug is a little bookworm. He loves nothing more than snuggling up with a book, or a big pile of books as is often the case. As he loves books so much he always gets super excited when Little Tiger Press send him a book.

The latest book that arrived through the letter box for Bug from Little Tiger Press was a board book called Train!

Written by Judi Abbot the book Train! is an award winning title that has previously been available only in paperback, but by popular demand it is now available as a cute little board book.

Little Snappers Pop Up Books by Little Tiger Press.

Snip Snap Pop Up Fun and Cheep Cheep Pop Up Fun.

As Bug is a little bookworm and loves snuggling up for story time with mummy or daddy, he is always very excited it when he gets a new book. Recently his excitement was at an all-time high when he received a parcel from Little Tiger Press with two shiny new books for him to enjoy.

Out this February from Little Tiger Press are two new books from the Little Snappers series – Snip Snap Pop Up Fun and Cheep Cheep Pop Up Fun.

Happy Christmas from the TMNT Half Shell Heroes.

As Bug loves the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles he was super excited to get aNinja Turtles Christmas card and a special bauble with Leatherhead inside to celebrate the new range of Ninja Turtles toys - the Half Shell Heroes.

Aimed at younger children (2-5 years) who love the Ninja Turtles the TMNT Half Shell Heroes range of brightly coloured and chunky Ninja Turtles toys are perfect for little hands. The Half Shell Heroes toys include a range of figures, including the popular Ninja Turtles themselves - Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael; plus mini-vehicles, a large shellraiser vehicle and the Ninja Turtles secret sewer HQ!

Little Tikes Pretend Play Toys at Asda.

I am a huge advocate of the importance of imaginative play for a child’s learning and development.  I believe it is important that children are provided environments and toys that allow them to role play and express their imaginations.   

Bug loves role play; he especially loves playing kitchen and house, expressing his imagination as he plays with his wooden kitchen filled with accessories and his playhouse that is home to his baby doll and teddies who love joining him for the tea parties he hosts. 

Even though Bug’s imagination sparks regardless of whether he has a role playing toy to hand as he often pretends objects represents something else, for example pretending the TV remote is a car giving it action and motion as if it was the racing care he imagines it is, we are huge fans of toys that encourage imaginative and pretend play.

As we love pretend play toys I was delighted to hear that Asda stock a large range of Little Tikes pretend play toys.  Asda kindly sent Bug two Little Tikes pretend play toys that would encourage him to bring pretend play to life and express his imagination as he learns whilst playing and having lots of fun.

Little Tikes Popstars Microphone.