Little draWins

All-day suncream

This waterproof suncream is a massive win for hot days in the water.

When I was younger I discovered a waterproof suncream called P20. As someone who burns easily and always forgets to reapply suncream, it changed my life.

They recently brought out a new version for kids which is ideal for sunny days in a paddling pool or splashing in the sea.

Most suncreams need reapplying after swimming, and can run into kids eyes in water and make them sting.

P20 soaks into the skin and gives factor 50 protection all day!

Name it to tame it

Behind every behaviour is an emotion.

When we are little, our emotions range from happy to sad, but as we age new feelings start to reveal themselves.

In the Whole Brain Child, the authors suggest a practice to help children understand their feelings called “name it to tame it”.

When a child is experiencing a big emotion, the idea is to offer them a label, “you are feeling disappointed’. This helps them process their feelings and recognise them in future.

The book talks about how important it is to explain that it’s normal to have big emotions, and their feelings will come and go. It’s what we do with them that counts.

I have found this an important lesson for myself. I still feel guilty when I experience certain emotions, and reading the Whole Brain Child has helped me understand that I can’t control my feelings. What I can control is the way I behave when I feel them.

Tagged: #name-it-to-tame-it #approach #toddler #preschool #primary #junior #emotions #behaviour #language #words #labels #brainDevelopment

Robot control

Why is it sometimes so hard to leave the house with kids?!

My default is normally to demand and harass. A better approach is to make it a game, and a recent little win for me has been to pretend my kids are robots and the (insert any object within easy reach) is their remote.

A bit of playfulness can really shift the energy, and normally results in a speedier exit and a happier family as well.

If you give this one a go please let me know!

Tagged: #robot-control #approach #toddler #preschool #primary #outdoors #travel #emotions #play #behaviour #home

Butterfly garden

Did you know you can grow butterflies at home? 🦋

Companies like InsectLore send live caterpillars in the post sealed in a little pot full of food. Over the next week, they grow to TEN times their original size before spinning into chrysalides. Then you move them into a special little indoor butterfly garden to transform. A week later they emerge as beautiful little butterflies ready to be released.

My kids love watching the different phases and the magical moment when we set them free outside.

Tagged: #butterfly-garden #recommendation #toddler #preschool #primary #outdoors #nature #animals #science

Digital wish list

Here’s a great way to manage present requests when you’re out and about.

When one of my kids asks for something they see in a shop, instead of buying it immediately we add it to their ‘wish list’ on my phone.

They know we’ll review this list near their Birthday or Christmas, and we can decide if it’s still something they “desperately need” ;)

You can use any note taking app for this. I particularly like Notion.

Tagged: #LittledraWins #digital-wish-list #approach #preschool #primary #junior #preteen #toys #emotions #birthdays #presents #gifts #shopping

Praising creativity

Did you know that (according to NASA) 98% of 5-year-olds are creative geniuses!

In their famous study, NASA also found that this number drops to 12% when we hit 15, and just 2% as adults.

I think one reason our creative instincts dwindle as we age is that we become more aware of how others may judge our work. To avoid failure or shame we stop trying.

Here are some ways to praise your child’s creativity that avoid creating the belief that their work only has value if other people like it.

Avoid non-specific judgements and ask them to tell you what they like about their picture, praise their effort and let them feel proud of themselves.

These language shifts also apply to praising academic success, athletic ability and even more general behaviour.

HT: This Little draWin was inspired by Joe Cofone and his brilliant book The Laws of Creativity.

Tagged: #praising-creativity #approach #toddler #preschool #primary #junior #preteen #art #emotions #behaviour #language #drawing #words #labels #brainDevelopment #praise

Tummy chanting

I’m always looking for ways to help my kids eat more healthy food.

A while ago I explained that our tongues and tummies like different foods. Our tongues may prefer chips, but if we listen carefully we can hear our tummies chanting for things that are good for us.

Bringing their tummy to life as a character that needs their help is a great way to encourage healthy eating and avoid mealtime drama.

Do you have any healthy eating tips? Please do share ;)

Tagged: #tummyChanting #approach #toddler #preschool #primary #food #emotions #play #behaviour #language #restaurants #health #independence #home #words

Den building

I am always amazed by the hours of fun den building can provide.

With just a few cushions and a rug roof my kids’ imaginations run wild - a camp in the forest, a secret underground lair or an enchanted castle!

I think they find delight in changing their environment and feel safe in small places.

This one works really well as a Surprise strew

Tagged: #den-building #flow #toddler #preschool #primary #junior #play #building #imagination

Stop word

Do you ever struggle to tell when a wrestling or tickling match has gone too far, and someone is actually getting hurt?

Sometimes a cry of pain can sound like joy, and make it hard for children to know when to stop the game.

A few years ago I came across the idea of using a ‘stop word’, a pre-agreed word that helps clearly communicate pain or overwhelm.

My kids chose the word ‘peaches’, and they both understand that if their sibling, or one of us, cries ‘peaches!’ they have to stop wrestling or tickling immediately.

Swim seal

Ear infections are the worst!

My son get’s them super easily, particularly from swimming. Putting swim seal in his ears before he jumps in seems to really help.

The drops contain tea tree oil and create a waterproof coating to keep water and bacteria out

Thanks Swim Seal ❤️

Tagged: #swimSeal #recommendation #baby #toddler #preschool #primary #junior #preteen #sport #health #medicine #ears #hearing