‘Tis the season to express gratitude and spread joy, and a great way to do that is by gift giving! It’s the perfect way to say thank you to the wonderful teachers who play a crucial role in our children’s lives.
As parents ourselves we know the importance of choosing thoughtful gifts that show our appreciation for the hard work and dedication of preschool teachers or nursery workers, baby or toddler class providers and also school teachers (for those of you with older children). Let us share what we think are really great Christmas gifts that will warm the hearts of these amazing people.
Personalised Gifts:
Nursery/ Preschool staff: Consider personalised items such as a custom mug with the teacher’s name, a heartfelt note, or even a personalised tote bag. These items not only show appreciation but also add a personal touch to the gift.
Class Provider: Opt for a customised keychain with the baby class’s name or a picture of you and your baby from their class. This shows the leader’s role in creating great memories and wonderful activities for you and your little ones.
School Teacher: Personalised stationery, such as a set of notepads or a stylish pen, can make for a practical yet thoughtful gift. Add a personal touch by including a handwritten note expressing gratitude for their hard work.
Spa or Relaxation Gifts:
Nursery/ Preschool staff: Treat your preschool teacher to a spa gift set or scented candles. After a hectic day with energetic little ones, a relaxing evening can be just what they need.
Class Provider: A soothing bath set or a cosy blanket can provide your class leader with some well-deserved relaxation after delivering the amazing sessions that we love.
School Teacher: Consider a spa voucher or nice bubble bath for your school teacher. It’s a thoughtful way to encourage them to take a break and unwind during the holiday season.
Handmade Gifts:
Nursery/ Preschool staff: Get the kids creating handmade gifts, such as a DIY ornament or a hand-painted flower pot. They will cherish something that your little one has made with love.
Class Provider: A card or picture drawn by your little one is a great way to say thank you. Add details that are specific to the class they run, such as drawing your favourite prop from the sessions, or the class mascot if they have one.
School Teacher: How about a personalised calendar for the classroom? You could use pictures from school events, or pictures hand drawn by your child.
As we enjoy this festive time of year, let’s take a moment to recognise the incredible efforts of our nursery and preschool teachers, class providers, and school teachers. The best Christmas gifts are not necessarily the most expensive ones, but rather those that reflect thoughtfulness, gratitude, and a touch of personalisation. Show your thanks with a gift that warms the heart, and let these educators and leaders know just how much they are valued in shaping the future of our children.
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
Sleep for your baby, or the lack of it, is one of the biggest issues that new parents face. It is something covered in antenatal classes. It is what your well-meaning friends talk about, but can give no concrete advice on. You hear about this before your baby is born, but it is hard to comprehend until you experience it for yourself. But, here’s your reminder that it’s (exactly as we said) one of the most common issues for new parents.
“I definitely felt like the odd one out amongst friends/NCT group etc for still cuddling Lucy to sleep until she was almost 2! Most people wanted to get their babies self-settling much earlier, but Lucy wasn’t keen, and I knew sleep training wasn’t for us (plus I like cuddles) Around her second birthday she started toddling off happily to her cot when she was still awake, so it all turned out fine.”
-Lisa K
If you’re experiencing sleep issues with your baby currently, you’re not alone. And it definitely doesn’t make you a bad parent. You’re doing the best you can, so first and foremost:
Remember To Be Kind To Yourself – Don’t Compare Yourself To Other Families
All babies and families are different, so although it is good to get advice from friends, what makes one baby sleep like an angel might leave another in frustrated tears. Being a new parent can be hard, so the most important thing is to be kind to yourself and look after your physical and mental health. This will enable you to be in a better place to tackle any rough patches your little one goes through with sleep.
We asked Team Happity for their advice when it comes to babies and sleeping, and they shared just a few stories & tips to help you get by. This is what works for them, but take it with a pinch of salt. Remember: there isn’t one solution to fit everyone. (And, in fact, we saw it within the team too! What worked wonders for some was a nightmare for others)!
“You just have to do and find what works for you and your family! Every baby responds to different things and so don’t be disheartened if something that works for one person does not work for you.”
– Alex
“Try not to compare your situation to other people’s situations. I tried everything to get my son to sleep. Breastfeeding to sleep, rocking to sleep, cuddling to sleep, going out for walks/drives at 3am to sleep. If it works then just go with it!”
– Gayle
1. Have A Regular Bedtime With A Consistent Routine
Although newborns have many naps throughout the day, by the time a baby is 6 months they will gradually get into a sleep routine with fewer naps and have a proper bedtime. Once you are ready to set a bedtime, have a routine of pyjamas, bedtime stories and gentle songs to get them into the right mood. Consistency is good and makes babies or toddlers aware of what is going to happen. Even if you need to break the routine occasionally, it is good to have a general structure to follow.
If you do not know where to start or feel you need extra advice, it can be a good idea to talk to a sleep consultant. Batelle is an online sleep school for children aged 6 months to 6 years. They will tailor sleep plans to each family, and can help you to regain control of bedtime.
“We have a 6am rule – anything before this is night time and we would try to get them back down. If they’re up and chatty after 6, the gig is up and time to start the day!”
– Vince
2. Have Lights Down Low And Keep Things Calm
Read calm stories to get your little ones in a sleepy mood and sing gentle songs rather than noisy action songs. Do not play too boisterously just before bed, and ensure lighting is kept low. If you keep the room calm, eventually your baby or toddler will match this energy level.
“White noise was great and then when she was a few months older we used Brown noise (A deeper tone of white noise) and this helped a lot!”
– Alex
3. Be Aware Of Any Additional Needs And Your Personal Circumstances
Every family is different and all children are different, so there’s never a one-size-fits-all when it comes to little ones and their sleep. Some children may have Special Educational Needs or behavioural problems that need to be considered when creating a sleep routine. Or if your little one shares a room with a sibling, that needs to be considered too. Maybe you have a grandparent or another relative that helps with bedtime sometimes and they need to know how your routine goes. This is where Battele’s sleep consultants can help, as they will take into consideration all factors that make your family unique. Their approach is all about building a connection with your child and building trust.
“ We never forced O on to it [sleep training], and it just fitted with him and worked like a dream! He slept through from 3 months… I, on the other hand, did not! I had insomnia from that point til he was 9 months due to PND!”
-Emily
4. Find Your Baby’s Sweet Spot -The Best Time To Nap
Have you ever wondered what your child’s sleep sweet spot is? It’s the perfect time for them to nap, when they are tired but not too tired to have the best sleep. Huckleberry’s app will do just that. By logging your child’s age, nap times and bedtime, the app will remind you when it is time to get ready for nap time. If your child is transitioning between a number of naps, that is not a problem; you can log this too. If you find nap time is too long or too short, this can be adjusted so you get it just right for your little one.
5. Be Aware Of Adjustments As Your Baby Develops
Different things will affect your bedtime routine, such as dropping naps as your baby gets older or introducing solids or other big changes. This is where Huckleberry’s predictions can be a lifesaver. Like a parent, it is constantly adapting! Just when you have your routine sorted, it is time to change something. This is where your personalised advice from Huckleberry comes in. You can log these changes in the app and you will receive personalised advice based on your child’s sleep patterns.
“When it came to reducing naps, we followed Lyra’s lead. She dropped her second nap when she was ready, and now at two years old she sometimes skips her day time nap all together.” –
Helen
6. Find A Sleep Plan That Works For You
There is so much information out there; it can be overwhelming. There are lots of online resources with varying levels of success. Sometimes a dedicated sleep consultant like Batelle or an app like Huckleberry is just what you need. Having the support you need can make you feel less alone. Sleep deprivation can be lonely. At 3 am you might feel like the only person in the world. Neither Batelle or Huckleberry use the “cry it out” method that worries many parents. Instead, they encourage connection with your baby, and different ways to encourage healthy sleep habits.
“Gentle sleep training was really helpful for us and I enjoyed a gentle approach with no cry it out involved.”
– Alex
Help And Support Is Invaluable When You Are A Parent
Once you have the right advice and support, any task or problem seems so much easier. Knowing that all parents have had problems with sleep at one time or another can give you a feeling of solidarity. Just remember to give yourself a break sometimes. Having a sleep consultant like Batelle can take the weight off your shoulders. Although work is required on behalf of the parent, it will be well worth the investment and time needed to help coach your children into longer-term healthy sleeping habits that will benefit the whole family. And Huckleberry’s app is not just for sleep tracking. You can log your child’s feeding times, medication, growth, nappy changes and more. You can have everything in the same place to make it much easier to be organised!
Once you have found the right sleep expert to help you, nap time and bedtime does not have to be a battle anymore. And instead of a time to dread, it can be cherished. We all want to have happy times with our children, and bedtime stories are much easier to enjoy knowing you have support to get you through the night.
“My biggest tip is sleep begets sleep. When they are very little, if there are no sleep issues in general then just let them sleep as much as they need. We are dealing with unique people who are all so different and to sum up my advice it is to not get hung up on it and go with the flow. It is absolute torture when they don’t sleep but the key is to remember, as with all phases, it will pass. Nothing lasts forever in the baby world.”
– Lisa T
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
If you’re looking to find developmental toys and activities for your toddler, you can often find them totalling up to a pretty penny.
Child developmental toys aren’t always cheap. But, as parents, we want to do what we can to help our children to learn. We’re joined by guest expert Rebecca Elsom (Early Years Development Officer from The Early Years Alliance) to tell us more about some low-cost developmental activities for toddlers. A lot of them are items you can find lying around your house.
The Early Years Alliance is the largest and most representative early years membership organisation in England, supporting 14,000 members to deliver care and learning to over 800,000 families every year.
Family Corner is the family arm of the Early Years Alliance, offering expert articles, activity ideas and online learning sessions on key areas of child development such as learning through play, communication, behaviour, health, nutrition and wellbeing.
Read on to find out what they have to say.
Easy Low-Cost Developmental Activities With Your Toddler
As a parent or carer, you may often feel a lot of pressure to provide your children with the very best toys and the newest games. There are, however, so many easy and low-cost games, activities and resources that your child will love and have the same, if not better, opportunities for early learning – and lots of them you can find around your house!
Here are a few of our ideas to get you started:
Homemade Posting Games
These can be made using an old cereal box or a sweet tub. Simply cut out a slot, give your toddler some clean jar lids, bracelets, old greetings cards – anything that will fit in the gap really – and let the fun begin!
Why? This developmental activity supports your toddler with hand-eye coordination, concentration and ‘fine motor skills’ – those small muscles in their hands and fingers as they grasp, turn and twist the objects they are trying to post.
*Disclaimer: Please ensure the slot that has been cut out doesn’t have a sharp edge. You can make this safer by applying some masking tape over the edge to stop little hands being hurt!
Treasure Baskets
You can make this with a collection of everyday items from around your home that have different textures and vary in size and shape. It doesn’t even have to be kept in a ‘basket’ – you could use an old shoe box or anything that has fairly low sides so your child can see and reach inside.
Some ideas for contents: sponge, nailbrush, wooden curtain rings, silicone spatula, metal spoons, a whole lemon…this list of possibilities is endless!
Why? This activity gives young children the chance to make simple choices and investigate using all of their senses. For babies, it is an activity that develops physical skills such as reaching and grasping. You can extend this activity for toddlers and older children by providing a collection of everyday items that they can use freely and creatively – for example, pegs to clip on the edge of a box, or bangles or bracelets to hook on a mug tree.
*Disclaimer: Although this activity is child led, it should always be supervised by an adult. Please check all contents are clean/new and safe for your child to explore with their hands, and their mouths.
Kitchen Band
This is an activity for a time when you’re happy for a bit of noise! Give your child some upturned pots and pans, and let them go wild with a wooden spoon to experiment with making sounds. Does a saucepan sound different to a colander when you tap it? Can they tap quietly and then clang loudly? You can make your own shaker bottles with your old plastic bottles that were ready for the recycling by putting some rice or pasta in the bottom.
Why? These activities support with children’s listening skills, discovering rhythm, and physically their co-ordination, especially if using a tool in each hand at the same time to make sounds. These homemade instruments offer the same chance to discover how to make your own music as shop bought ones. And even better, you can have fun making them together!
*Disclaimer: Please ensure if making shaker bottles that you secure the top of the bottle with tape to reduce the risk of choking hazards.
Target Practice – Developmental Activities With Your Toddler
This is a great activity for all young children. But particularly for those who have taken an interest in beginning to throw things. Give your child some socks rolled into a ball and a target of some sort – perhaps a laundry basket or a box to aim for. Make it into a game where you set a goal of how many you can get into a target.
Why? This activity supports with developing a child’s large physical movements, their co-ordination, turn taking with others that they are playing with, and their resilience to try and try again. For young children who have the impulse to throw, it provides them with a safe and satisfying way to do this, an activity you can offer them when they are wanting to throw unsafe items around the house.
Bubbles!
Probably the simplest, but most enjoyable activity for young children! You can buy bubble solution fairly cheaply. But if you have run out, you could try making your own with washing up liquid (1 part) and water (6 parts). You can blow the bubbles for your child to chase and pop. Or as they get older, it’s really fun for them to try blowing them!
Why? When young children are attempting to blow their own bubbles, it is great for building muscles around the mouth that are vital for speech development. Dipping the bubble wand into the solution is great for supporting fine motor skills and hand-eye co-ordination, while chasing and popping bubbles is good for supporting physical skills such as reaching, jumping and clapping.
A Cardboard Box – Developmental Activities With Your Toddler
The possibilities for a cardboard box are endless; we all know children often enjoy playing with the box as much, if not more than what’s inside it! If you have had a delivery recently, rather than throwing the cardboard box into the recycling, use it for an activity with your child first.
You might want to use paint or crayons to decorate it. Or you could use it as a puppet theatre with your child’s teddies and make up a story together. You might use other recycling together with the box and do some junk modelling together. What could it become? A den, a car or even a rocket if it’s big enough!
Why? A box can be whatever you want it to be; it opens up a child’s imagination and creativity! While being creative, you and your child will be using lots of language, playing together, coming up with stories and developing physical skills if gluing and sticking things together. There is so much fun and learning you and your child can get from a cardboard box!
These are just a few activities and ideas of ways you can support your child’s play and aid with toddler development and learning at home, with some everyday and low-cost materials, perhaps even without having to leave your home to buy them!
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
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