The Forest School concept was initiated in the 1980s in Denmark where the open-air culture ('frulitsliv') is a way of life. It first came to Britain in the early 1990s when a group of nursery nurses and lecturers from Bridgewater College in Somerset visited Scandinavia and saw how children became more creative and increased their self-esteem in an outdoor, wooded environment. So now if you go down to the woods today, you're really are in for a big surprise – not just the pros

What’s not to love about sport? With it comes the chance to get outdoors, have a fun time with friends, do your best, feel the adrenaline rush and experience the boost to your body and mind. That’s the case for all of us, from toddler to senior league! Guidelines recommend that preschool children who can walk on their own are physically active for three hours a day, and enrolling them in a sports club – football, tennis, swimming, judo, hockey, etc – is a great way of achievi

Though it’s a well-known fact that rates of teenage mental health problems are increasing alarmingly, it is less recognised that very young children can feel stressed too. NHS Digital has suggested that self-harm in preschool children is on the rise, even among those as young as three who may bite, scratch, punch or slap themselves, maybe pull out their hair, or show changes in behaviour, emotions or health. Changes in a family’s circumstance – a house move, the birth of a ne

As an experienced Early Years Specialist Teacher I have often been asked by parents how they can support their children's learning at home through he use of computers and tablets. There are a range of paid and free apps as well as several websites that I have used and recommend for young children. Here are my favourites: 1,Nursery Rhymes TV https://www.youtube.com/user/NurseryRhymesTV1 I'm a keen advocate of how music can help children learn in a fun and engaging way. I have

Creative play and imaginative arts experiences play a central role in toddlers’ learning and development. You can encourage your toddler and support his/her creativity with fun creative activities. Here are some ideas: Encouraging your toddler’s creative play For toddlers, creative play is about the process of creating. There’s no right and wrong in how toddlers create and respond to art. Through free-flowing creative play, toddlers can explore their world in their own way, w