Bubbles
Alternate who has them. When you have them you’ll find other children gravitate towards you and it helps to facilitate friendships. At our local park it’s always a little windy so we get so many more bubbles for little effort- a big bonus for the Middle guy who’s learning to blow.
Snack + drink
Bring something nutritious to keep up their energy and head off the, ” I’m hungry! Let’s go home”. Or worse food envy from the other parents with their snacks. Keeping hydrated is so important too.
Ball or Frisbee
Something that can be shared. Kicking a ball is no fun by yourself or with your sibling…again. But having a toy can be a great way to meet new friends at the playground.
Camera
This is a tricky one. I love taking pictures. But try very hard to take them just of my kids as many parents don’t like it. I get my camera out and make a big deal of it so parents who don’t want their child in the frame will either move away or say something. That’s fine by me. Catching those smiles and pure play excitement on camera is the best.
And one for the parents…………. your attention.
Catching up on email, voicemail, calling back folks and generally multitasking any of those things mean you are not 100% present.Going to the park has become to some like sitting the kids infront of TV , a way to get things done. Although this is a better solution than TV, it’s no fun having your parent there but not, head down typing.Nor is it fun hearing kids yelling constantly to get parents attention..
Plan more trips to the playground without the phone or laptop than with.
Join in and run around with your child like this family. Playgrounds are a lot of fun for both of you to connect with laughter and strong memories.
………forgot my camera as Big guy made it across the Monkey bars for the first time. I wish I had captured that expression of absolute surprise, delight and triumph. The inspiration for this post.
*What must haves do you swear by to take to the playground? *
** Don’t forget what you can win in the celebration contest
open until Wednesday 29 Oct 2008. **
Other great playground posts
Pinpoint public playgrounds along your road trip route
Save grungy socks for indoor playgrounds
Upper playgrounds
Playground at Kew Gardens, London
Popularity: 3% [?]
Technorati Tags: Bubbles, friendships, park, playground, play, TV, Monkey bars
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** Don’t forget the celebration contest open until Wednesday 29 Oct 2008. **
Getting boys to stay interested in reading is a common problem as they get older.
As a mum , I choose books I think they’ll like. But boys books are just different. I look at my husbands bookshelf and don’t see anything I like so I know I’ll be in trouble trying to choose books. Tuning into boy books is hard but needn’t be.
Here’s a great scheme for ages 0-7..
“Book Ahead is an initiative by the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) in England, which aims to get enjoyable books into the hands of young children in Early Years settings to develop enjoyment in reading at an early stage, and also to strengthen the links between those settings and their local public and Schools Library Services.”
“It is based on a booklist commissioned from the School Library Association, written by Julia Eccleshare, with contributions from other library organisations. The booklist is available free and each local authority in England has been funded by DCSF to purchase books from the list to use with Early Years settings such as playgroups and nurseries in their area.
The full version of the booklist is available online, including search and index facilities, the introduction and the appendices. The whole booklist is also available to download as a PDF file.”
See the different age groups and Riveting reads grouped by subject try this link.
I have a new list of favourites to look up at the library in the 3-5 year old list. There are lots of our favourite authors like, Lauren Child, John Burningham, Lynley Dodd, Colin McNaughton & Julia Donaldson already there!
What books do your under 5 boys like to hear/read?
Share them below 
Interested in starting chapter books… read this interesting post.
Popularity: 5% [?]
Technorati Tags: boys, reading, Book Ahead, Early Years, School Library Association, playgroups, nurseries, Riveting reads, Lauren Child, John Burningham, Lynley Dodd, Colin McNaughton, Julia Donaldson
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Welcome to the 16th edition of Carnival of Parenting Podcasts
It’s a place to share and find some new parenting podcasts from the podcaster and recommendations from those who listen to podcasts.
Top 10
Send in your favourite podcasts of the fortnight.
Popularity: 18% [?]
Technorati Tags: Parenting, podcasts
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In celebration of the birth of my third son in July, Play Activities is offering a contest for the little ones at the fabulous Arabella Miller shop.
There are two prizes for two winners
Rules
- Contest is open to those in the UK and EU only.
- Shipping address must be within this area.
- Items will be shipped direct from Arabella Miller to you.
- An accurate email address must be left as this is the way I contact you to get your shipping address and size.
- There will be two winners only.
- Winners must reply within a week or find the prize reassigned.
- One entry per family.
How do I enter?
Tell me your favourite blog post from Play-activities and why. That’s it!
Bonus***
Each winner will win an exclusive Play-activities t-shirt and parenting book from author Antonia Chitty
Contest closes Wednesday 29 Oct 2008
Stumbles appreciated
Popularity: 15% [?]
Technorati Tags: Play Activities, contest, Arabella Miller, prizes, Antonia Chitty
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