Promoting independent learning using educational posters

4 mins

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When it comes to education, visual aids can be a powerful tool to enhance learning and engagement, especially for children. One type of visual aid that has proven to be effective are educational posters. Educational posters are specifically designed to display information and concepts in an engaging and visually appealing way, which can help children learn and retain information more effectively.

Here are some of the benefits of educational posters for children:

  1. Enhancing learning: Educational posters can help to reinforce educational concepts in a visually compelling way, making them more memorable and easier to understand. Posters can also help spark curiosity and interest in learning.
  2. Encouraging engagement: Children are often drawn to colourful and visually appealing posters, which can encourage them to engage with the material and spend more time exploring and learning. The posters can create a fun and interactive learning environment, which helps to keep children interested and engaged.
  3. Improving retention: Educational posters can help to improve retention of material by presenting information in a clear and visually stimulating way. Children may be more likely to remember what they have learned when it is presented in a way that is easy to understand and engaging.
  4. Supporting language development: Educational posters can also support language development by introducing new vocabulary and concepts. By seeing and hearing new words in context, children may be more likely to remember and use them in their own language.
  5. Promoting independent learning: Educational posters can be used to create independent learning opportunities, allowing children to explore and discover new information on their own. This can help to develop critical thinking skills and foster a love of learning.

Overall, educational posters can be a valuable tool for supporting children’s learning and development, and can help to make learning more engaging, memorable, and fun. These posters can be used in a variety of settings, including classrooms, homes, and libraries, and can benefit children of all ages and backgrounds.

When selecting educational posters for children, it is important to choose posters that are age-appropriate and relevant to the child’s interests and learning goals. Additionally, it is important to display the posters in a prominent location where they can be easily seen and accessed by the child.

Educational posters
Shop our educational posters here

In summary, educational posters can offer many benefits for children, including enhancing learning, encouraging engagement, improving retention, supporting language development, and promoting independent learning. By using educational posters as part of a comprehensive approach to learning, children can develop a lifelong love of learning and a solid foundation for academic success.

Best,

Natalie

info@littlescholarsplayground.com

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The author

Natalie is the co-founder and illustrator at Little Scholars Playground. She is passionate about literacy, learning, illustrating, black women in STEM and Montessori.

7 ways to encourage independent play

4 mins

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Ok, Mums and Dads, Let’s get to the nitty gritty of independent play. There is a lot of pressure to be able to constantly entertain our children without the use of a screen. There is a famous quote from Maria Montessori that “Play is the work of the child.” But what does this mean? Children learn and grow through play. She said that “the satisfaction which they find in their work has given them a grace and ease like that which comes from music.” Independent play is important for children’s development, it can boost their confidence, creativity and much more. So how do you start giving your child time to explore and learn more about themselves?

7 ways to encourage independent play

  1. Support your child rather than lead
  2. Make independent play part of their daily routine
  3. Avoid too many rules
  4. Be mindful that a child’s attention span is short
  5. Make sure their toys are age appropriate
  6. Let your child be fully engaged and avoid too much commenting and expectations
  7. Start with time together and then move onto independent play

Children as young as 2 months can show signs of beginning to engage with some independent play, simply by observing different texture and colours.

What are the benefits of independent?

  • Enhances problem-solving skills
  • Boosts creativity
  • Forms a child’s interests
  • Reduces over-stimulation 
  • Enhances brain development
  • Enhances a child’s confidence as they explore and master different things
  • Helps a child to feel relaxed and in turn calms their nervous system

So take this time as an opportunity to sit back and relax a little.

What are some of your favourite independent play activities? Let’s start a conversation in the comments below.

Best,

Natalie

info@littlescholarsplayground.com

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The author

Natalie is the co-founder and illustrator at Little Scholars Playground. She is passionate about literacy, learning, illustrating, black women in STEM and Montessori.

20 Rainy Day Activities to Do with Kids

6 mins

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Rain Rain go away, Come again another day! The heatwave seems to be over here in the UK and we’re forecasted to have some heavy rain. Heavy rain poses some challenges for parents. Kids have a shorter attention span than us adults, which means cabin fever can set in quickly. Minimise the number of times you hear ‘I’m booored!’ with our top 20 rainy day activities to do with kids that are on their summer holidays.

1) indoor play/ soft play. This is always fun for kids, there are many indoor soft play in the UK.

2) Fashion show. Kids love to dress up in their parents clothes and shoes. So why not let the kids choose some clothes from your wardrobe, so they can create a fun fashion show!

3) Our STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) activity cards are great for entertaining the kids and can help to reduce screen time. Our unique pack of 32 cards are simple and fun and can be created with everyday items from around the home or the supermarket. The pack of cards can be bought here.

STEM activity cards
32 STEM Activity cards

4) Cook or bake together. Kids enjoy cooking and baking (especially licking the bowl at the end!).

5) Visit your local library. Let the kids choose a book they want and then get cosy in the reading corner. If the weather is too bad to get out. Then create a cosy area at home and read their favourite books. We have a great selection of books. You can shop our books here.

Black inventors children's book
STEM Leaders: Black inventors and innovators who changed the world

6) Visit a museum. There are many free fun museums in the UK. Going to the museum is a fun adventure for kids.

7) Play board games. Board games are a fun way to get the family together and helps to reduce screen time.

8) Our STEM inventors journal. Our STEM inventors journal will show kids how new inventions are created. It includes prompts to get your budding inventor started on their inventor journey. This journal will be sure to keep kids occupied on those rainy days. It can be bought here.

STEM inventors journal
My STEM inventors journal: A little book of ideas

9) Build a blanket and cushion fort.

10) Watch a movie. Dim the lights and pop some popcorn and create a cinema at home.

11) Indoor picnic. Too rainy to have a picnic outside? Why not bring it indoors. Eating on a blanket is always fun for kids.

12) Create a puppet show. Grab some socks and paper and create a puppet show.

13) Open ended play. Get your children’s imagination going with some open ended play, with things like wooden blocks or a sensory activity.

14) Get the puzzles out. Puzzles are a good alternative to screen time for kids, they’re both fun and educational. We have a great wooden solar system puzzle, which can be bought here.

solar system puzzle
Wooden solar system puzzle

15) Play some musical instruments. You can even create a mini concert.

16) Do some yoga. The cabin fever has kicked in, so now the kids are bouncing off the walls, eek! There are lots of yoga videos for kids on YouTube, which can help to calm them down.

17) Create an indoor scavenger hunt. Get the kids to hunt for the objects all over the house.

18) Arts and crafts is always fun. Create a crafting station at home. It can occupy kids for a long time and it is both entertaining and educational for them.

19) Create an indoor obstacle course using unbreakable objects.

20) Splash in some puddles. As Peppa pig says “I’m jumping up and down in muddy puddles.” Once the rain has stopped, get your wellies on and go outside and splash about in some puddles!

We hope you found this blog useful. If you did, please share it with your friends and family who may find it useful too.

Natalie

Little Scholars Playground
info@littlescholarsplayground.com

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About the author

Natalie is the co-founder and illustrator at Little Scholars Playground. She is passionate about literacy, learning, illustrating, black women in STEM and Montessori.

How to make boring chores fun and educational the Montessori way

Estimated reading time: 4 mins

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Children learn through experience and observation. One of the practices in Montessori is to involve children in tasks around the home. Children love imitating what they see their parents do. So it’s a great idea to let your child start to help you with your household chores from as young as 2 years old.

So what are the benefits to letting your child help with chores?

Involving your child in chores helps them to learn team working skills, builds valuable life skills, helps to teach them independence and helps to keep them occupied while you get tasks around the house done, win, win!

What tasks can you get your child involved in?

Involving your child in chores helps them to learn team working skills, builds valuable life skills, helps to teach them independence and helps to keep them occupied while you get tasks around the house done, win, win!

Cooking

Giving toddlers a supervised activity to do in the kitchen, will help them feel involved when you’re cooking. For example get them to help with measuring ingredients when you’re baking, using scales and spoons. Once measured get them to help you put the ingredients into a bowl. They can also help with the stirring and of course their favourite, tasting! You could also get them to sort and count the fruits in the fruit bowl, which will help with their learning of numbers.

Loading the dishwasher

Another supervised activity children can get involved in, in the kitchen is loading the dishwasher. Particularly placing the utensils in the utensils tray (not knives). This will help improve their hand eye coordination and helps encourage some independence.

Laundry day

Create some fun with laundry. Whilst supervised get your toddler to help you sort the dirty laundry into piles by colour before putting them in the washing machine. This will help them learn their colours through talking to them and repetition as you do this weekly task. You can also get your toddler to match socks. These laundry tasks will help your child to develop their motor-skills.

Recycling

Why not involve your child when you’re recycling. Talk about why we recycle and the different types of materials that you can recycle. You can even go on to make something out of some of the items you’re recycling to demonstrate that you can re-use some items and not just through them away.

Washing up

Children love playing in water and love bubbles. So washing up will be lots of fun for them. You can stand your toddler on a chair in front of the sink, standing next to them so they don’t fall. Or simply place a washing up bowl on the floor and get them to wash up. Just be prepared that it may get a little wet!

Child sized brooms, mops and utensils

Children will love sweeping and mopping with their child sized broom and mop. This will help them to like doing it as they got older because let’s face it mopping is not much fun! So get them started early on.

Just remember never force a young child to do tasks if they’re not showing interest. Also let go of perfection, realistically the dishes will not be washed very clean and that’s ok. Most importantly have fun!

Natalie

Little Scholars Playground
info@littlescholarsplayground.com

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About the author

Natalie is the co-founder and illustrator at Little Scholars Playground. She is passionate about literacy, learning, illustrating, black women in STEM and Montessori.

The benefits of wooden toys for children

Estimated reading time: 2 mins

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When you start learning about the Montessori practice you often hear (and see) a lot about wooden toys. But why are they so beneficial? Wooden toys spark your child’s creativity and is a form of open-ended play. Unlike plastic toys that can be over-stimulating with flashing lights and a set outcome. Wooden toys will provide your child with activities that do not have a set outcome. Building blocks, cardboard tubes, wooden kitchens, train sets and sensory/messy play are all examples of openended play, because they can play in a number of ways with no set outcome.

Encourages your child’s brain development

Not only do wooden toys inspire creative and imaginative play in children. It is also beneficial for your child’s brain development, helping to improve their cognitive and problem-solving skills. The natural textures of wooden toys stimulate the child’s senses as they encourage them to feel, touch and explore. Because of their simpler shapes, wooden toys also help children build hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

They’re strong and child safe

Wooden toys are also stronger than their plastic counterparts. They will not easily break, meaning no broken small pieces or sharp edges, which is ideal for babies who we know like to put everything in their mouths!

They’re better for your peace of mind and the environment

Of course, wooden toys are also much better for the environment than plastic! They’re non-toxic, but not only that they won’t pollute your home with excessive noise, win, win! As open-ended wooden toys help to keep children from becoming so easily distracted. By having natural wooden toys in your home, it actually keeps your home quieter and more peaceful. We’re all a product of our environment, so offering the best/calm environment for your child will therefore encourage their mind to stay calm and healthy.

Natalie

Little Scholars Playground
info@littlescholarsplayground.com

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About the Author

Natalie is the co-founder and illustrator at Little Scholars Playground. She is passionate about literacy, learning, illustrating, black women in STEM and Montessori.

Why it’s a good idea to embrace Montessori in your home

Estimated reading time: 3 mins

So, what is Montessori?

The Montessori method of education was created by Italian physician Maria Montessori. Her goal was to promote independence in children, with the view that children are naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating their own learning. Some of the key Montessori methods that you can use at home include:

  • Child’s choice of activity from within a range of options
  • Activities that facilitate movement and activity
  • A ‘discovery’ model, where your child learns concepts from working with materials rather than by direct instruction
  • Specialised educational/ sensory materials often made out of natural, aesthetic materials such as wood, rather than plastic (this will help support your child’s development, as many of the plastic toys overstimulates and does ‘the work’ for your child).
  • A thoughtfully prepared environment where materials are organised by subject area, are accessible to children, and are appropriately sized
  • Explore nature in and outside the home
  • Freedom, within limits.

How I discovered Montessori

I discovered Montessori after having my daughter in 2019. I have always been conscious of the over use of plastic and found plastic toys with flashing lights overstimulated her, without actually helping her to develop. I was also aware of the crucial age of 0-3 years, where her brain would develop the most. This sparked my desire to ensure I gave her the best start in life. After some Googling, the term Montessori kept coming up. It was something I had heard in the home before, as my Mother is a Nursery Manager, so naturally I wanted to learn more. I found the Montessori approach to parenting to go beyond education, including following my child, respecting her and understanding where she is developmentally, so that the expectations I have for her are appropriate and achievable for her.

It’s a good idea to embrace Montessori even if the typical people practicing it don’t look like you

I did notice that many of the people practicing Montessori did not look like me, however I did not become discouraged by this. Some feel that you need a big budget, or perceive Montessori to be expensive to incorporate in the home or even elitist. Montessori Nurseries are also more expensive. But this is even more reason to practice it at home as much as possible. Many sensory activities for example can be made from things within the home.

How to start bringing Montessori into your home

You don’t need lots of the expensive, fancy things like you see posted on social media. So don’t put pressure on yourself and do the best you can with what you have within your home. There are great books out there on Montessori’s philosophy. You will then learn that simple things such as putting your child’s toys low enough for them to reach, creating sensory activities from materials within the home and involving your toddler in activities such as putting away your groceries or watering your plants, will help your child meet their developmental needs. Montessori said:

“The birth of a child is the child’s first act of independence.”

Maria Montessori

I so agree. You need to respect your child’s need for independence and go with their natural flow. This will in turn create a child that feels valued and has high self-esteem and self-worth. This will set them well on the way to becoming a great little scholar.

We will be posting lots of sensory activities, learning resources and information on how Montessori can help your child become the little scholar they can be, so do check our blog regularly.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Comment below, let’s start a conversation.

Natalie

Little Scholars Playground
info@littlescholarsplayground.com

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About the Author

Natalie is the co-founder and illustrator at Little Scholars Playground. She is passionate about literacy, learning, illustrating, black women in STEM and Montessori.

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