1. WHAT CAN I AS A PARENT PROVIDE FOR MY CHILD AT HOME TO PROMOTE HER EARLY
YEARS DEVELOPMENT?
As parents, we try to give our children not only the best possible start in life, but even after
we send them out to nursery, pre-school and school, we strive to give them past times at
home that will have long term positive impacts in their lives.
As the Head of an Early Years Unit, I always tell my staff that it is our duty to bring out the
potential of each child in every area of leaning. We must observe their strong and weak
points, and we must provide him with enough variety, stimulation and encouragement in
each area so that the child has gained as much as he possibly could have at that point to
better his skill.
In order to achieve this, a setting must have a rich variety of resources (as well as the right
staff).
As parents, we are the main carers and people responsible for our children. We need to be
good emotional soundboards for them, try to find them the best nurseries and educational
establishments, advocate for them where necessary, and to provide the best tools for them
at home.
With so many different toys in the shops, it is difficult to know which ones are time-killers
and which ones will help the child to grow.
It may be helpful for you to know the categories of the early years’ goals, and some ideas
how to enhance skills in each area.
PHYSICAL MOVEMENTS
Outdoor areas offer excellent opportunities for physical activity. For a child who omitted the
crawling stage, the alternating movement of the hands and legs on a climbing frame will give
the child the vital benefits that crawling achieves. It is also good to encourage movement
that will make the child cross the mid-line (e.g. with the right hand touching the left side of
the body and vice versa).
COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE
When speaking to the young child, it is important to model good language and grammar.
Pointing to things around the house and outdoors, and using descriptive language will enrich
your child’s vocabulary. Books are an excellent resource for building language. Reading
books together with your young child will help to create life-long good reading habits.
PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
A positive feeling of self is vital for healthy emotional development. Giving your child a lot of
praise (especially specific praise), will help to build your child’s confidence. Puppets and
persona dolls are the ideal tool to teach your child personal, social and emotional skills.
When I notice a child behaving in an unacceptable manner (be it minor or major), I take the
opportunity to create a similar scenario (but never identical, because I do not want the child

2. to feel that I am referring her particular behaviour), with puppets and then discuss the
behaviours and reactions of the puppet with the child.
LITERACY
As well as opportunities for mark making, cutting and sticking, children will love swirling
their fingers and drawing in shaving foam, baby lotion etc. I tend to buy the value or saver
packs at the supermarkets. At the same time as enjoying the messy play, they will have the
benefits of a cheap sensory resource. The movements of rolling and forming shapes with
dough or plastecine, as well as using the thumb and index finger with clothes peg games are
also excellent early literacy skills.
MATHS
It is worthwhile counting anything that you are using in a quantity whilst your child is
around, as this will encourage her to count, with very little effort on your behalf. Pointing to
numbers on houses, cars, weights on foods will help her start to recognise numbers.
If you are able to, try to ask your child questions which will make her think and try to solve
problems.
I have found that there is no better resource for improving problem solving skills as the
recently launched Bizzy Bitz. It is a totally open-ended toy with infinite possibilities for the
child to experiment.
CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT
Included in this area of development are all the arts - song, drama and dance, art and design.
Having a few (toy ) instruments at home although noisy, is a good creative outlet. Giving
your child a variety of craft materials from which to choose will allow his artistic talent to
flow.
If you buy the Bizzy Bitz as recommended above, you child will also be in possession of a toy
which will bring out all his creative building talent. I have seen a multitude of different
models built out the Bizzy Bitz by children of all ages and ability.
UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD
Answering the inquisitive questions of the young child will go a long way in his
understanding of the world.
A couple of IT toys, or playing with the computer will enhance is IT skills. If you share my
sentiments, you will limit the amount of time you allow your child’s access to these
resources. Some past times are good with limitation, but if unchecked can do more harm
than good.