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01/04/2021

Easy Ramadan Craft Activities for Children

Celebrating Ramadan in Your Setting Teaching children about different cultures and festivals that are celebrated by people and communities around the globe is a fantastic way for kids to learn about the diverse world we live in. Ramadan is a precious time for Muslims all over the world and with Ramadan coming up what better way to celebrate this special Holy Month than with beautiful Ramadan-themed crafts. We hope you have a blast creating these wonderful activities! What is Ramadan? In Islam, Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim... Read More

24/03/2021

Make Time for Crafts

By John Hopley, Creative Steps Editor & EYR Industry Expert. Arts & Crafts have tremendous benefits for the development of young children, and not just in a creative sense. You only have to look at the plethora of craft activities many turned to during ‘lockdown’ to realise the wider wellbeing benefits of creative pursuits, as highlighted by shows such as Grayson’s Art Club and Kirstie Allsopp’s ‘Lockdown Craft Club’. Creative activities for children are, of course, great for incorporating the Expressive Arts & Design element of the EYFS and the Exploration & Using Mixed Media &... Read More

18/03/2021
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Promoting Diversity in Your Setting

As we celebrate Down’s Syndrome Awareness Week (15th March – 21st March 2021) now is a great chance to talk about diversity and inclusion and its place in early years and primary school settings – Most importantly sharing ways we can continue to address, promote and embrace it. While we share similarities with each other, we are all unique and it’s important for us to recognise our differences so we can become more accepting of one another. From an early age infants and children will encounter people with varying abilities... Read More

16/03/2021

Imaginative Play Supports Resilience

  This article has been written by Jen Kinsman, EYR Industry Expert, mum of two, and youth theatre leader. In the below she shares her ideas on how imaginative play supports emotional resilience. For more from Jen, visit her Twitter or blog Raising2Children Have you ever felt drained, overwhelmed, or frustrated about a job and all you hear is, “you just need to be more resilient?” I’m glad to say evidence-based research can significantly change those opinions. Resilience is a skill we develop over time with the right kind of... Read More

09/03/2021

Children’s Craft Activities for Easter

It’s that time of year where bunnies, chicks and eggs are popping up everywhere and it can only mean one thing… Easter is here! The big day is just around the corner and it’s time to start thinking about Craft activities for Easter. Celebrating Easter in your setting For some, Easter is a day to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For others, it’s more about eggs, bunnies, and, of course, lots and lots of chocolate! Maybe for your setting, it’s a little bit of both. But regardless of your... Read More

25/02/2021
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A DIY Mother’s Day Craft Pack

Mother’s Day is the perfect celebration of the hard work that care givers of all kinds put in to raising and caring for their children. However, there can often be a feeling of awkwardness around Mother’s Day within the early years setting. Every child and family comes to an educational setting with different values and experiences. Not every family dynamic is the same and one of the most important gifts we can give to children is to help them to feel good about the uniqueness of their family. So, to... Read More

12/02/2021
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Top 6 Children Activity Ideas For World Book Day

World Book Day is just around the corner and it’s the biggest celebration of its kind. We celebrate World Book Day to salute authors, books, illustrators and to give all young children the opportunity to read and explore books of all kinds. From dressing up, face paint and – of course – reading, you can embrace World Book Day in your own creative way, and we want to make sure you have a full day of exciting World Book Day activities, whether you’re at home or in the classroom! Pick... Read More

01/02/2021

Ways to nurture Children’s Mental Health

Feeling lost, worried and unsure of what the future holds? It’s almost impossible for adults to comprehend in these unprecedented times so imagine how our youngest children are feeling. As we are passionate about providing quality resources for children, parents, carers and practitioners which will have a positive impact on children’s wellbeing and help them to feel in control when life is so changeable and uncertain. Children may be unable to verbalise their feelings, but may exhibit behaviours associated with worry. Creating a space for children to talk about their... Read More

Hedgehog Straw Painting - Autumn Crafts 02/10/2020
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Hedgehog Straw Paintings – Autumn Crafts

These Hedgehog Straw Paintings are a great arts and crafts activity for the kids this autumn, using splattered paints to make the prickly hedgehogs! Read the simple instructions below to get started: Art materials you will need: Thick white paper Coloured paper for backgrounds A paintbrush Paints Paint mixing tray A drinking straw Scissors Glue Glitter card A black felt pen Instructions for your Hedgehog Straw Paintings: Mix some poster paints in a tray for the hedgehog’s bodies. Mix the paint with water so the consistency is fairly runny. Use... Read More

Card Tube Animals - Animal Crafts 13/08/2020
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Card Tube Animals – Animal Crafts

These card tube animals are a great activity for the kids, using left over card tubes from around the house! Suitable for ages 0 to 5 years old. Read the simple instructions below to get started: Art materials you will need: Cardboard tubes PVA glue Scissors Paints and paintbrush Googly eyes Instructions for the Card Tube monkey and elephant: Draw around the head, arm, face and tail templates onto a cardboard tube and cut them out. Paint these pieces and a cardboard tube with brown paint, and add a lighter... Read More