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Rachel
Feb 20, 20213 min read
The power of reading real story books
"Mummy, Mummy! I read a real story book!" It's never too soon to 'read' real books. We play pirates, teachers, doctors, vets, but do...
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Rachel
Dec 18, 20203 min read
Can you tell I'm smiling? Are our masks impacting on children's language development?
There's so much more to communicating than just the words we use. Our eyes, facial expressions, gestures, volume and tone all work...
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Rachel
Oct 22, 20202 min read
Tips and tricks for active learners
These are tricky times we live in and things have changed quite considerably for our children at their schools. I've heard so many times...
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Rachel
Jul 14, 20203 min read
Quick and easy games to fill in five minutes to half an hour - some free, some handbag-sized!
Whether you normally look forward to the long summer holidays or you dread them, this year is different in so many ways. We'll be...
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Rachel
Jun 12, 20202 min read
Do we need proper reading books at home?
Many schools send home reading books from the start of reception and some start a little before. Some schools start later and some don't...
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Rachel
May 28, 20205 min read
Wilbur and Flops' essentials for home phonics for children in reception
It's very likely that, for at least the last half term, your child's teacher has been sending you 'home learning tasks' ranging from a...
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Rachel
May 22, 20202 min read
Five ways to sneak language play into your daily walk
It's May 2020 and we've been at home for nine weeks or so. We have a dog and a daily walk is a must for us but, with or without a dog,...
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Rachel
Apr 11, 20203 min read
Developing pencil control at home
"Tommy Thumb, Tommy Thumb, where are you? Here I am, here I am, how do you do?" Peter Pointer, Toby Tall, Ruby Ring and Baby Small, too!...
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Rachel
Mar 6, 20202 min read
Where can I buy...?
Continuing learning at home helps to build important connections in your little one's brain and returning to something after a sleep...
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Rachel
Feb 22, 20206 min read
When you walk right through the town today...
Classes are no longer running but some of the information here may be useful to parents and early educators. "My daughter loves coming to...
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Rachel
Jan 30, 20203 min read
Letter names or letter sounds?
Is it 'w' for Will or 'W ("double you") for Will? Should we sing the alphabet song yet? I'm often asked by parents if they should teach...
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Rachel
Jan 9, 20202 min read
Repetition, repetition, repetition
Tonight, I was sent the most adorable video by a friend of mine. Her little girl is just over two years old and she was telling the...
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Rachel
Nov 14, 20194 min read
'How to' guide: the reading record
Our reception children have been at school for over half a term now and it's very likely that they've been carrying a reading record to...
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Rachel
Jul 7, 20193 min read
They've been really well looked after...
Today we took a walk to the local car boot sale. Once we got through the regulars - the garden tools, interspersed with china tea sets...
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Rachel
May 31, 20193 min read
Wilbur and Flops visit Hummingbirds Nursery
There's a lovely little place in Sowerby in Thirsk: a warm welcome awaits and a homely atmosphere can be felt as you walk through the...
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Rachel
Feb 3, 20194 min read
Firm foundations for phonics - it all starts at home
Learning to read begins long before school. "Children are made readers on the laps of their parents." — Emilie Buchwald. It's true -...
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