early childhood development Archives

And the winner is…

Claire!

“Play is the only way the highest intelligence of humankind can unfold.” -Joseph Chilton Pearce

Play is extremely important during early childhood development. Through play children learn how to interact and engage with the world around them, as well as developing imagination, physical, cognitive and emotional strength, creativity and building gross and fine motor skills.

Toys and games play a very important role in early childhood development as it stimulates imagination, creativity and aids in building fine motor skills.

The importance of toys in Early Childhood Development

According to parenting and early childhood specialist, Lynda Smith, toys and games assist hugely with igniting the senses and imagination, and basic developmental concepts such as identifying shapes, colours and numbers.

Moreover, they encourage motor development (from rolling and crawling, to jumping and running) and cognitive function. With these skills, children – from babies through to preschoolers – can better understand their environment and start to make full use of their minds and bodies.

“The right books, music, puzzles and soft toys all help children better understand the world around them and develop fine motor skills. When children are empowered and encouraged to learn by those closest to them from early on in life, they are more likely to cope better at school,” says Smith.

Smith adds that parents need to recognise the ways children learn through their senses. She mentions how soft toys, for instance, help to develop imaginary play. Kids’ TV programmes, like Barney and Friends, allow children to identify with characters and encourage imagination. These programmes motivate children to play outside, share with others and, encourage daily routine.

Barney drives the importance of early childhood development through play and have partnered with Liberty to offer 10 Education Builders valued at R10 000 each!

This is an amazing prize! To enter this giveaway, visit the website www.barneyandfriends.co.za and complete the entry form. Or simply click on the above image. You better hurry as the competition closes on 16 June 2016!

WIN WITH BARNEY!

You can also win a Barney Hamper worth R300 right here! The hamper consists of a Barney Activity Book, a Barney PVC Ball, a Barney Book of Colour and a 10 inch Barney plush.

Entry is easy. All you have to do is comment below and you are in the draw. Extra entries for Facebook and Twitter shares – make sure to leave a separate comment for each share telling me where you’ve shared the giveaway. Please make sure to leave your Twitter handle and/or Facebook name for verification. Max of 3 entries per person. Giveaway is open to SA residents only. The sponsor will send the prize directly to the winner. Winner will be announced on 27 June ’16.

Good luck!

xoxo

PS You can also win with Finding Dory HERE and Disney•Pixar Splash HERE ;)

Cara is starting Grade RR next year. I still have not completely processed that fact… my child is growing up so fast and I feel like I can’t keep up. But I digress. I am so grateful that my child has had great teachers and I feel very positive about the new school she will be attending from next year, because this mom can’t teach. My brain is just not wired that way. If I had to home school, my poor kid would never learn anything as I would be spending more time researching how and what to teach, than actually teaching.

I do want to do my best to keep her excited about learning though and because there is so much pressure on kids to excel these days, I feel I have to put in more effort.

I recently discovered www.learningtools.co.za and I am so happy that I did!

Learning Tools was founded by Sarah Ohlson de Fine, a qualified foundation phase teacher who understands how children learn and what teachers need.

Learning Tools imports educational resources of only the highest international standards. Their focus is on bringing high quality, trusted teaching tools into South Africa that help foundation phase and intermediate phase learners achieve success.

Learning Tools games and resources are visually appealing, stimulating, engaging and create a non-threatening learning environment.

Learning Tools is the perfect place to find educational tools for children that will make learning fun, for both kids and parents. They have resources that focus on numeracy, literacy, science, social and emotional development and early childhood development. The also offer great classroom essentials.

I am especially glad that I discovered the Educational Games and Gifts section ahead of Christmas. The board games look fantastic and I have my eye on Mermaid Island and Buzz (the list is actually a mile long, but I better pace myself).

Below are only a couple of the products that they have on offer (just to give you an idea).

$Educational game for children math skills Pretty Please Charlie$

Do yourself a favour and head on over to their website HERE or to the Learning Tools Facebook page.

I really don’t think you’ll be sorry you did!