Notebook

The shift of seasons between summer and autumn could be the one that feels the biggest. Entertaining children feels much easier when the weather is on your side – and...

October gives us a lovely opportunity to celebrate and talk about the wonderfully diverse world around us: Global Diversity Awareness Month. But talking to children about diversity doesn’t have to...

Do small children notice skin colour? Research shows that babies notice differences in skin tones within the first year of life - even before they’re able to ask you about it....

October sees the arrival of Global Diversity Awareness Month, bringing an important opportunity to celebrate the wonderful differences that make our world so exciting. When you’re a parent, learning about...

Picture a playroom filled with gorgeous wooden toys. One looks like rippling ocean waves; another is a miniature shelf filled with coastal creatures; another is a replica rockpool complete with...

Watch a toddler playing with a singing, light-up toy for a few minutes and you’ll notice a few things. That they’re engaging with the toy and having a whole lot...

Not every toy belongs tucked away in a toy box. Some deserve pride of place on a shelf, a desk, a bedside table or a bookcase, bringing warmth, character and...

Have you noticed that toy shops (and perhaps your friends’ shelves, your colleagues’ desks or even your own home) are filling up with toys? And this isn’t about the contents...

Children love pretending to be grown-ups. One moment they’re cooking dinner in a toy kitchen, the next they’re digging up wooden carrots in a toy garden or packing for a...

Children can turn almost anything into a story. A handful of wooden vegetables transforms into dinner for an imaginary family feast. A watering can can be a gardening tool or...

Have you ever watched your child play make-believe games of families, schools, firefighters or hairdressers? These are all examples of role play – and it’s a whole lot of fun!...

Choosing birthday gifts for babies and toddlers can feel surprisingly difficult, especially when it’s so tempting to choose those flashing, noisy toys with instant ‘wow!’ factor. But so often, toys...