Designed with the practical needs of busy families in mind, our Magic Water Scroll caters to kids of all ages. Let your little ones explore their artistic side without worrying about spills or stains. The reusable magic canvas ensures long-lasting creative fun, making it a smart and eco-friendly choice for families looking to balance creativity with convenience.
A sell-out product time and time again - unlock practical magic as your little cub paints scenes, stamps, splatters, free draws and more. The magic canvas responds to a touch of water and dries quickly for reuse.
Experience the practical side of creativity with our Magic Water Scroll – a smart and mess-free solution that simplifies the painting experience for busy Mums and their little artists. Embrace the ease of setup and cleanup, enjoy endless creative opportunities, and let practical magic inspire artistic adventures without the usual chaos.
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4. Craft Supplies
Ensure you have all the necessary craft supplies for each station, such as markers, paint, glue, scissors, beads, paper, and any specialty items related to your theme. Make sure there are plenty of art materials to go around.
5. Safety First
If you're working with younger children, prioritise safety. Choose non-toxic and washable art supplies. Cover tables with disposable tablecloths to make clean-up easier, and provide aprons or old t-shirts to protect clothing.
6. Themed Decorations
Decorate the party area to match your chosen theme. You can use balloons, banners, and tablecloths that complement the colour scheme. Incorporate themed centrepieces and even create a backdrop for memorable photos.
7. Party Favours
Prepare goodie bags or party favours that include some of the craft supplies used during the party, as well as a small memento of the day. These take-home gifts can be a fun reminder of the creativity and fun shared.
8. Snacks and Refreshments
Offer a variety of snacks and drinks that cater to different tastes and dietary preferences. Create a crafty-themed cake or cupcakes that match the party's theme. Finger foods are often a hit, making it easy for kids to snack between crafting.
9. Games and Activities
Plan games or additional activities to keep the children entertained. Craft parties often include a "show and tell" session where kids can display their creations to the group. You can also incorporate themed games or storytime related to the chosen theme.
10. Music and Entertainment
Play music in the background that complements the atmosphere and keeps the energy up. You might also consider hiring a professional entertainer, such as a face painter, magician, or storyteller, to add an extra layer of excitement to the party.
11. Capturing Memories
Don't forget to take plenty of pictures throughout the party. You can create a memory book or a digital album to share with the kids and their parents after the event.
With these tips and ideas in mind, you can organise a creative craft party that your child and their friends will remember for years to come. It's a fantastic way to nurture their artistic talents, encourage their social interactions, and, most importantly, have a whole lot of fun! So, let the creativity flow, and let the craft party begin.
Choosing the perfect present for a preschooler can be a delightful experience. Children are full of curiosity and imagination at this age, making it important to find gifts that stimulate their creativity. In this article, we will explore some creative present ideas for preschoolers that are fun and educational.
Building blocks are a classic toy that never goes out of style. They encourage children to develop their fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities, and spatial awareness. Look for blocks that come in different shapes, sizes, and colours to enhance their creativity.
Preschoolers love to express themselves through art. Consider gifting them a set of washable markers, crayons, or watercolour paints. Add some blank drawing pads or colouring books to inspire their imagination and keep them engaged for hours.
Preschoolers love to imitate the world around them. Pretend play sets, such as kitchen sets, doctor kits, or tool sets, allow them to engage in imaginative play. These toys promote cognitive development, social skills, and creativity.
Introduce preschoolers to the magical world of music by gifting them musical instruments like a xylophone, drum set, or mini keyboard. Music helps enhance their auditory skills, coordination, and emotional expression.
Puzzles and games are excellent for boosting problem-solving abilities and cognitive development. Look for age-appropriate jigsaw puzzles, memory games, or board games. These gifts provide hours of entertainment while stimulating their brains.
When selecting presents for preschoolers, choosing gifts that encourage their creativity and learning is important. The ideas mentioned in this article, such as building blocks, art supplies, pretend play sets, musical instruments, and puzzles/games, are sure to bring joy and educational value to preschoolers. Remember to consider the child's interests and developmental stage when making your selection. With the right gift, you can inspire a preschooler's imagination and foster their growth.
]]>The holiday season is a special time for families to come together and create lasting memories. One way to make this time even more magical is by incorporating Christmas craft boxes into your family traditions. These carefully curated boxes are filled with all the materials and instructions needed to create beautiful and personalized crafts. Not only do Christmas craft boxes provide hours of fun, but they also offer a unique opportunity for bonding and creativity.
Engaging in craft activities during the holiday season is not only entertaining but also provides numerous benefits for both children and adults. Crafting helps improve fine motor skills, enhances creativity, and boosts self-esteem. It allows family members to express their individuality and create something meaningful together.
One of the main advantages of Christmas craft boxes is their convenience. These boxes come pre-packaged with all the necessary supplies and step-by-step instructions, making it easy for anyone to dive into the crafting experience, regardless of skill level. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or a complete beginner, these craft boxes provide a hassle-free way to enjoy the holiday spirit.
Christmas craft boxes offer a wide range of craft projects suitable for all ages and interests. From making holiday ornaments and decorations to creating personalized greeting cards and gifts, the possibilities are endless. These crafts allow you to explore various techniques and materials, encouraging creativity and imagination in both children and adults.
During the busy holiday season, finding quality time to spend with family can be a challenge. Christmas craft boxes provide the perfect opportunity to gather around the table and engage in meaningful activities together. Crafting promotes communication, cooperation, and teamwork, fostering stronger bonds and creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime.
Creating crafts during the Christmas season is not only enjoyable but also serves as a way to preserve precious memories. Each craft becomes a tangible reminder of the time spent together as a family. These handmade decorations and gifts can be cherished year after year, bringing back the joy and warmth of past holiday seasons.
Christmas craft boxes are an excellent way to infuse creativity and togetherness into your family's holiday celebrations. By incorporating these craft boxes into your traditions, you can create lasting memories, nurture creativity, and enjoy quality time with your loved ones. So, this Christmas, why not unwrap the magic of crafting and start crafting your own Christmas memories?
]]>Spot and Dot markers are a fantastic tool for preschoolers that offer numerous benefits for both learning and creative activities. These markers, often in bright and vibrant colours, are designed with a round sponge tip that makes them perfect for little hands to hold and use.
Using Spot and Dot markers requires children to grip and control the markers, which helps develop their fine motor skills. As they press the markers onto paper or other surfaces, they learn to coordinate their hand-eye movements and improve their dexterity.
Spot and Dot markers come in a variety of colours, making them an excellent tool for teaching preschoolers about colours. Children can learn to recognise and match colours by using different markers for various activities. This enhances their colour recognition abilities and promotes cognitive development.
Spot and Dot markers encourage children to explore their creativity and express themselves through art. The vibrant colours and easy-to-use design allow preschoolers to experiment with different techniques and create unique masterpieces. This process boosts their imagination, self-confidence, and self-expression skills.
Using Spot and Dot markers requires children to focus on their artwork while coordinating their hand movements. This promotes hand-eye coordination, which is crucial for various activities such as writing, drawing, and playing sports. Developing this skill at an early age sets a solid foundation for future learning and physical activities.
Using Spot and Dot markers provides an opportunity for parents or teachers to engage children in conversations about their artwork. Discussions about colours, shapes, and the stories behind their creations help develop language and vocabulary skills. This enhances their ability to express themselves verbally and expands their knowledge of descriptive words.
Spot and Dot markers offer numerous benefits for preschoolers, including the development of fine motor skills, colour recognition, creativity, hand-eye coordination, and language skills. These markers provide a fun and engaging tool for children to explore their creativity, express themselves, and learn important skills that will benefit them in various aspects of life.
]]>It's that time of year again! Harmony Day is nearly here and we have the perfect way to celebrate at home—our Harmony Day Printable Armband activity.
With this activity, your children will have a memorable experience celebrating Harmony Day in a fun and creative way.
With our Printable Armband activity, your children get to create their own customisable wristbands with messages of peace and unity. They can draw and colour their wristbands to make them unique and show their support for cultural diversity.
As a parent or teacher, you'll appreciate how easy it is to set up—all you need is our printed material, some scissors and crayons.
Don't miss out on this special opportunity to celebrate Harmony Day in a meaningful way. Get our Printable Armband activity today and create unforgettable memories with your children.
Click the link to download the Easter Scavenger Hunt. Print them out from this blog post or download the free pdf printable. Cut out each clue and roll up the slip of paper and pop into a plastic egg with or without a little chocolate treat.
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Step 1
Start by aligning the sheets of paper and folding them in half. Open it again and fold the outer corners inwards. Fold the paper in half again, with the edges facing forward.
Step 2
Draw half of a Christmas tree on one side of the paper, making sure that the edges are still facing outwards. Cut the shape out: you should now have four trees.
Glue them together like in the picture below, one side at a time.
Step 3
Now that the tree is ready, take the two sides that are not glued together and attach them to the card. Decorate with markers, glitter, or anything you want and you are ready to spread some Holiday cheer!
Are you looking for more crafts like this?
Be sure to check out Babysits’ crafts for kids for more inspiration!
Use the code BABYSITS for 15% off storewide!
Babysits is Australia’s babysitting community, we connect families to childcare providers in their area. If you’re looking for a babysitter or nanny near you, visit Babysits today and receive a 20% discount for the first three months of your premium subscription with the code CASTLEANDKITE20.
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Miniland Doll, Colours Puzzle, Dinosaur Crayons, Miniland Nuts and Bolts, Pastel Dough, Safety Scissors, Finger Crayons, Finger Paint
Click here to view our huge range of craft supplies.
We've got you sorted with all the gifts you'll need this Christmas with our range of presents for kids. You'll be sure to find something here for everyone.
]]>Our present ideas inspire creativity and will be used long after the Christmas tree has been put away. A Castle and Kite Craft Box is the perfect non-toy gift to give!
]]>Dough Characters, Spot & Dot Markers, Activity Buttons, Farm Craft Box, Transport Craft Box, Construction Puzzle, Ball Run, Sensory Sand, Magic Scroll
Don't leave your Christmas shopping too late this year. The delivery centres are the busiest they've ever been and we don't want anyone to miss out on having their best Christmas!
Miniland Lacing Set ABC 123, Sorting Set with Counters, Human Body Puzzle, Wikki Stix, Literacy Bingo, Play Money, Activity Clock, Lacing Shoe, Base Ten
Don't leave your Christmas shopping too late this year. The delivery centres are the busiest they've ever been and we don't want anyone to miss out on having their best Christmas!
Spot & Dot Markers, Glitter Pens, Magnetic Wand, Egg Chalk, Oil Pastels, Scratch Art, Magic Corn plus Free Printables, Watercolour Paint, Crayons
Head to our Stocking Stuffer Collection for lots more ideas!
We've got you sorted with all the gifts you'll need this Christmas with our range of presents for kids. You'll be sure to find something here for everyone.
]]>Stock up your present cupboard with these thrifty kids presents that will save your bacon when the kids spring a last minute Secret Santa on you!
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Don't leave your Christmas shopping too late this year. The delivery centres are the busiest they've ever been and we don't want anyone to miss out on having their best Christmas!
Oil Pastels, Flashcards, Face and Body Crayons, Maxi Markers, Egg Chalk, Safety Scissors, Modelling Clay, Baby Crayons, Skin Tone Markers, Counters
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Easter is one of our most favourite times for crafting. With so many adorable opportunities for cute crafts projects. Here are some fun, easy, and inexpensive crafts that we have made and also gathered from our craft boxes.
Children learn so much and develop so many important skills while crafting, such as cutting skills, fine motor, hand eye coordination and creative thinking to name only a few. Download these FREE Easter templates to create some gorgeous DIY craft with the kids.
We love paper plate crafts! Create this easy chick. You’ll need a paper plates, yellow paint, orange paper, wiggly eye, feathers and wooden popsicle sticks. This is a simple craft activity that children can construct independently. It’s also from our Easter Craft box if you’d prefer the ease of it ready to go for you with 5 other crafty projects.
If you’re stuck for ideas and don’t have time to organise all the material, we can take the stress and mess out of craft time with our themed Craft Boxes. The kids will be entertained and super proud of their creations and you’ll feel like the ultimate crafty mum!
If you are looking for some chocolate alternatives this Easter or fancy giving a little something unique and special we have a huge range of creative gift ideas.
For all of the below toilet paper roll crafts, you’ll need:
These toilet paper roll fish aren’t just fun to make, they’re also gorgeous! Try using gold or silver paint to give your fish scales an extra pop.
Step 1
Ready your supplies! We used acrylic paint, but cheaper craft paint or even just textas/crayons could do the trick too.
Step 2
Apply a base coat of paint to your empty toilet paper rolls. In the end, we created 5 fish but you can have as few or as many as you like!
Step 3
Creating scales by painting simple ‘U’ shapes onto the toilet paper roll. Tip: use gold, silver or white paint for the scales.
Step 4
Create your fish tail and fins by painting a very simple outline onto thick white paper (we used acrylic paper). Tip: Parents might need to lend a hand for this step.
Step 5
Using a pair of scissors, carefully cut out the fish tail shapes.
Step 6
Match the colour of the fish tails and fins with the colour you used to paint the fish scales.
Step 7
Staple the fish tail in place.
Step 8
Cut out the fish fins.
Step 9
Create the fish lips by painting long, thin strips of acrylic paper in a shade of red or pink.
Step 10
Once dry, wrap the fish lips around the mouth of your toilet paper fish, and cut any excess length.
Step 11
Create a fish eye by painting or drawing a black dot and then carefully cutting a circle around it (leaving some white space). Glue the eyes in place on either side of the toilet paper roll.
Step 12
Voila! You’re done! Have fun creating your own school of colourful fish.
These toilet paper roll frogs aren’t only colourful and fun, but they also double as a game! Try to catch the fly in the frogs mouth. Create multiple toilet paper frogs and play against your friends. First one to catch the fly, wins!
Step 1
Collect your supplies! Most importantly, your empty toilet paper rolls.
Step 2
Paint the toilet paper rolls green and leave to dry.
Step 3
Paint light green spots onto your toilet paper rolls.
Step 4
Draw an outline of frog legs onto acrylic paper. Tip: This is a tricky step and might require help from a parent or older family member.
Step 5
Paint your frog legs and leave to dry.
Step 6
Carefully cut out your frog legs.
Step 7
Trace and cut out a fly-shape from acrylic paper (or cardboard) and attach it to the end of a length of string (approximately 20cm).
Step 8
Staple one end of the string to the frog legs.
Step 9
Paint a long, thin strip of paper red and wrap it around the toilet paper roll. Trim any excess length using a pair of scissors.
Step 10
Pull the length of string through the toilet paper roll and stape the back legs in place. Staple the front legs in place too.
Step 11
Create eyes by painting or colouring two black dots onto white paper (we used acrylic paper) and carefully cutting a circle around the black dots (being sure to leave some white space).
Step 12
Glue the eyes in place, and you’re done!
Sharks are super cool aquatic creatures. Why not create your own toilet paper roll sharks? This craft also doubles as a game. See who can catch the fish in the shark's mouth first and challenge your friends!
Step 1
Grab your supplies before you get started!
Step 2
Paint empty toilet paper rolls in a shade of grey.
Step 3
Paint the underside of your toilet paper roll white and wait for it to dry. Cut a v-shape for the shark’s mouth.
Step 4
Create a long strip of jagged paper for the shark’s teeth.
Step 5
Glue the teeth on the inside of the shark’s mouth.
Step 6
Trace the outline of the shark’s fins and tail and then paint them grey. Tip: This tricky step will require help from a parent or older family member.
Step 7
Using a stencil knife, create a slit at the top and on the sides of the shark. Push the shark fins into place.
Step 8
Create eyes by painting or colouring two black dots onto white paper (we used acrylic paper) and carefully cutting a circle around the black dots (being sure to leave some white space). Glue in place.
Step 9
Create a small fish from paper and glue it to the end of a length of string (approx. 20cm).
Step 10
Staple the other end of the length of string to the shark tail.
Step 11
Pull the fish string through the toilet paper roll and staple the shark tail in place by squeezing the sides of the toilet paper roll together.
Step 12
And you’re done! Create multiple toilet paper roll sharks and play against your friends to see who can get the fish in the shark’s mouth first.
Did you enjoy this super cool craft? Be sure to check out Babysits’ crafts for kids for more inspiration! Babysits is Australia’s babysitting community. If you’re looking for a babysitter or nanny near you, be sure to give them a go!
]]>As parents, we start our children on their ‘love for reading journey’ in the first few months of their lives, through exposing them to books, reading stories, talking about pictures and practising turning pages.
Young children are captivated by books, and story time is something magical to them. It’s so important we protect this and positively encourage our children on their own reading journey. Learning to read is a slow and ready journey. It shouldn’t be rushed and it certainly shouldn’t be stressful. Children who learn sounds (phonetics) correctly will feel more confident and capable in their ability, therefore making reading an enjoyable experience.
It’s never too early to start reading books to your child, make this time special, fun, something to look forward too. Create a love of books and have them accessible to children in various locations, the car, the bath, their bedroom, a reading corner.
Go to your local Library weekly, grab new and exciting books and join in story time. Children love hearing other people read to them and sharing this time with other children is special too.
Daily reading is probably the most important of all, and for so many reasons. New learnings, new vocabulary, practise and exposure to text. Children learn so much from you as their first teacher and watching you ‘model’ how the read, the way you use expressions or ask questions about the text are all valuable learning opportunities for them. Make reading informative, choose books that complement their current interests and mix in a few different genres- fact, fiction, picture books, big books, small books.
Talk about books, predict the storyline before reading, ask questions (lots of them) throughout the book, as well as at the end of a story, to see how well your child is comprehending and understanding the text. Comprehension is a vital part of becoming a confident and fluent reader long term.
Have fun creating activities relating to your favourite books. Craft is the perfect means to explore characters and building on new learnings. Dress ups, role play and painting scenes are also great activities.
When it comes to children beginning to read, it's important they have already established a love for books and reading. We want this to be a fun, enjoyable experience for them. There is a lot of prior knowledge that must first be grasped (phonics, letter sound recognition, simple blending and segmenting) before beginning to read.
If your child is starting to read, repetition and practising a daily reading routine is very important. When children are confident with their sounds, decodable readers are fantastic and not overwhelming. Children are able to ‘sound out’ simple words without the stress of unfamiliar words or spelling rules. As they progress, you can introduce new high frequency words each week.
As adults we must remind ourselves that learning to read is a gradual process and shouldn’t be challenging or stressful for our little ones. Children learn at different rates and finding their own confidence is the key to their own progression. Praising them for their efforts and providing them with supported opportunities of repetition, will positively foster their love of reading and in turn help them on their way to becoming confident readers.
At this point in time we are doing Post Office runs everyday so you can be assured that your delivery will be dispatched usually between 1-2 business days. Australia Post is experiencing some delays due to the sheer increase in the number of parcels that are being sent during this time. People have been advised to stay at home so they are doing most of their shopping online.
Here is a note from Australia Post:
The challenges presented by the pandemic mean there are delays as our business adopts additional safety measures to protect our people and customers. Other factors contributing to delays include fewer domestic flights, international delays and increased volumes as more people start shopping online. These delays can be up to a few days, and we ask that you bear with us during this challenging time. Thank you for your support and patience.
If you are looking for low cost ideas to keep the kids entertained during this time at home, check out our Isolation Activities Blog. If your children are home from school and you require some extra resources to keep them learning, check out our Learning Resources and Digital Resources Collection. We have lots of activities to supplement what they are learning online. Educational Board Games are a great way to supplement learning if they are sick of worksheets.
We hope you are going ok during these weird times. I hope it's not too long when we can sit around with our friends and family and be grateful for each other and talk about how CRAZY it was when the whole world was locked down.
Alana and Liss xx
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All you need is some sweet biscuits and some icing and sprinkles or lollies to decorate. Here is a picture and link from Kidspot if you need more inspo! This is a great Easter activity too as the decorated biscuits look a lot like Easter Eggs!
This is a great activity as it gets the kids outside and active. All you need is chalk!
Another great outdoor, active activity! Get your hula hoops, chairs and stools and create a course that involves jumping, crawling and throwing balls into a large container. This one is GREAT for gross motor skills.
We all know how in-demand toilet paper is at the moment! I've never appreciated it more in my life! Start keeping all the empty rolls for your kids to play with and see how many animals or toilet roll people you can make. Try cutting out 'wings' with coloured paper and glueing it on the roll. Draw eyes on the toilet roll. Wrap it in wool or washi tape. Draw a face on it and give you child some scissor to give your toilet paper person a 'haircut'. Great for developing scissor skills!
Take your recycled boxes outside to be the 'buildings and houses'. Or make a construction site with your trucks. Make it REALLY exciting by adding some water and make it muddy!
Here's a great recipe. Click the picture. If you can't be bothered making your own, we have some in our shop.
Kids yoga will help build strength, balance and confidence! Click the picture.
Ask the kids to build a fence with lego so that the animals can't get out. Great for developing higher thinking skills and problem solving.
Put some water in some clear containers and put a drop of food colouring. If you use different colours, the kids can experiment with mixing colours.
Kids LOVE cubbies! Pop a large sheet over the dining room table or over the ironing board and pop some cushions underneath. This will provide hours of play!!
Head over to Storyline Online to stream videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Readers include Viola Davis, Chris Pine, Lily Tomlin, Kevin Costner, Annette Bening, James Earl Jones, Betty White and dozens more.
Just Dance is SO much fun! Your kids will love learning some new dance moves to show their friends when social isolation ends! Click the picture.
Fill up the bath and pop in some lego and other 'waterproof' toys. Give the kids some old toothbrushes and give everything a good scrub!
Don't throw out ANY of your food boxes during isolation! They can be used for all sorts of crafty activities! Egg Cartons are great for making ladybugs, caterpillars and boats! To make a boat, use a skewer as a mast and a bit of paper as a sail and pierce the egg carton with the skewer.
Give the kids a rug and some plastic dinnerwear and tell them to take their teddies outside for a picnic. Here's the song.
This is a messy one. But your kids will love it! It's a great sensory activity too. Use the shaving cream as 'mortar' and some blocks or lego as 'bricks'. A spatular or toy hammer might be useful too.
Get the kids to collect some leaves, twigs and flowers from the garden. Pop some contact on the wall with the sticky side facing out and 'stick' the bits onto the contact. If you don't have contact, just use paper and glue.
Build a rocket ship!
Get a sibling (or yourself) to hide an object and then draw a map to instruct the 'Pirate' where to find the 'treasure'.
Sit the kids in front of an iPad with Art for Kids Hub on and let them develop their drawing skills. My kids have been loving this!
Build a new hospital
What can you build with all your empty boxes? A robot, house, monster or boat?
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Monique is the parent of a struggling learner. She has developed a passion for helping children and adults to learn better after reading Dr Norman Doidge's book The Brain That Changes Itself and then working with a speech pathologist for four years. Her business, Brain Wise Learning brings evidence based programs and products used by speech pathologists all over the world to you, to do in the comfort of your own home.
]]>We are honoured to have Monique Peters, the owner of Brain Wise Learning write a special blog for us on auditory processing disorder. If your child isn't thriving at school but hearing tests have come back normal, APD might need to be a consideration. Read below for more information.
Monique is the parent of a struggling learner. She has developed a passion for helping children and adults to learn better after reading Dr Norman Doidge's book The Brain That Changes Itself and then working with a speech pathologist for four years. Her business, Brain Wise Learning brings evidence based programs and products used by speech pathologists all over the world to you, to do in the comfort of your own home.
Auditory processing disorders describe a problem with the processing of sound in the brain. Known as APD or CAPD for central auditory processing disorder, people who have it may have good hearing and even pass hearing tests, but will also have trouble processing particular sounds, especially the rapid sounds of speech.
Auditory processing can play a part in dyslexia, inattention, autism spectrum and other learning challenges but can also exist on its own.1 Ear infections, premature birth, trauma and stress can contribute, but in particular, it is how the child acquired language, which is really important. Reading, writing and learning is fundamentally a language skill and the neural pathways in the brain don't grow without hearing the sound bits of language we call phonemes over and over. Children who have not heard enough language, either through conversational speech or being read to, can also have auditory processing problems. This is the reason why "baby talk" (or "parentese" with its emphasis on vowel sounds) and reading to babies and toddlers is so important.
Students who have an auditory processing disorder may struggle with:
Reading builds on language skills through phonemic awareness. If a child does not hear the sounds of a language correctly, they can have trouble matching a sound to the right letter. Learning to spell and read is thus difficult and may seem more like torture to this student who will often begin withdrawing from learning and school by Year 2 and 3.
If your child isn't thriving at school, and hearing tests have come back normal, it may be wise to have an APD assessment to work out if auditory processing is an issue. These tests can also determine exactly which sounds are not being processed efficiently. Many Hearing Australia stores conduct auditory processing testing. Call them on 134 432 to find out more and a store near you. Make sure you mention auditory processing testing as it is different from the more common hearing test.
Auditory processing can be improved by developing and exercising the underlying skills that cause it, just like exercise strengthens muscles. Brain research has come a long way in the last 30 years and because of fMRI, we can now see what makes neural pathways in the brain more efficient for learning. Using these principles of neuroplasticity, it is possible to develop the cognitive skills of memory, attention, processing and sequencing to improve learning outcomes.4 One such program is called Fast ForWord and it was featured in the book The Brain That Changes Itself by Dr Norman Doidge. Fast ForWord works on the neurological level, providing the necessary repetition to build basic language and cognitive pathways in the brain that other programs don't provide.
One exercise in Fast ForWord for example, works on strengthening sequencing skills. Without hearing speech in the correct sequence, students don't remember instructions well, mix up syllables, words and events which affect spelling, reading and comprehension. Think about trying to guess the tune that a preschool percussion band is playing compared to an orchestra playing the same tune. It is more recognisable from the orchestra because the right notes are in an order that is already mapped in your brain through memory (not that listening to a preschool percussion band isn't fun, mind you.) Students who do this Fast ForWord exercise will listen to thousands of beeps, which represent the different pitches and tones of speech. They have to tune into them and put them in the right order, which will make them easier for their brain to map and recall. It also starts off easy to distinguish and gets faster as they progress.
Being able to process the rapid sounds of speech helps students in all subjects. A clearly heard instruction from the teacher for example, is more likely to be remembered and acted upon than one that is misheard or garbled. This is also true in the home environment where the completion of tasks helps to run things more smoothly and with less argument and resistance.
Increased auditory processing skills may also improve social outcomes through better understanding and less frustration. Students with auditory processing issues are often misunderstood, leading to disagreements, fighting, exclusion and bullying, which also adds to a growing dislike of school and learning. This is why it is important to address auditory processing issues, because it is not just their academic success that is affected, but also their social and mental wellbeing.
References:
1. SPELD. (2018). Auditory Processing Disorder. Retrieved from https://www.speld.org.au.
2. Barnes, D. (2015, July 1). ADHD, Auditory Processing D is order or Specific Language Impairment? [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://blog.learnfasthq.com.
3. AIT Institute. (2018). What is Central Auditory Processing Disorder? Retrieved f rom https://www.aitinstitute.org.
4. Doidge, N. (2007). The Brain That Changes Itself: VIC. Scribe Publications, p71.
It’s hard to remember what it’s like for a five-year-old. Walking through those gates, surrounded by dozens if not hundreds of new faces, knowing you must wave your parents goodbye for the whole day, for what must seem like an eternity. Scary!
As parents and caregivers, we want to do everything we can to minimise the trauma for both the kids and ourselves. This means doing the obvious things like buying their uniform, packing lunch and trying to teach them the alphabet so they have a jump on their A-Z. But it also means doing a few not so obvious things, like checking their hearing and their sight.
There are a lot of places to get your child’s sight checked for free but when it comes to hearing checks the process isn’t quite so simple or affordable. Or at least it wasn’t until mother of three, Carolyn Mee, decided to help us out by developing Sound Scouts, a game based hearing check, delivered via an app. To get the science right Carolyn partnered with the National Acoustic Laboratories, the research arm of Hearing Australia. And to ensure the app was accessible Carolyn gained the support of the Department of Health so the app is now free for all Australian school aged children.
A survey of parents in 2019 showed that over 75% of parents hadn’t had their children’s hearing checked since they were born. Now you might be thinking what’s wrong with that. We did the newborn hearing check and my baby got the all clear. But the reality is that not all hearing issues are present at birth. In fact, most hearing loss is caused by middle ear issues, which typically develop after birth. This means it’s important to check your child’s hearing multiple times in their early years – once a year would be a great start.
If your child hasn’t done a hearing check recently and they are about to start school then now is the time to download the app and get testing. Children might be able to manage with a mild hearing loss at home but when you enter a classroom with 19+ other noisy children hearing becomes a whole lot harder. And making friends in the playground when you miss hearing half of what is said suddenly becomes a game of charades. Children need to hear to learn and socialise, so investing 10 minutes in a hearing check you can do at home is a no brainer.
Sound Scouts was specifically made for children about to start school but you can use it to test children 4 years and older. The instructions are incorporated in the app, follow them carefully and be sure to use good quality adult headphones and test in a quiet place. The test is cleverly disguised in three game activities so the children don’t even know they are being tested. At the end of the test you receive a report that will give an indication if the child’s results are within the normal range. If there’s a problem the report will provide some guidance on what to do next.
Hearing loss can impact reading, language development and learning in general. Hearing loss might be the reason for disruptive behaviour and depression. The sooner you identify hearing loss and address it the better chance your child will have of developing in line with their peers.
Hearing matters so don’t assume your child’s hearing is normal, check it and be sure. Give your child every opportunity to enjoy their school experience.
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This week we were lucky enough to have Alison Jeffrey, a Women's Health Physiotherapist from Chevron Island Physio walk us through why it's so important that new mums visit a specialised women's health physiotherapist after giving birth.
When submerged in the fog of new motherhood, adding one more task to your list can seem overwhelming. However, if there is one appointment every mother should attend after childbirth, it is an assessment with a women’s health physiotherapist.
All too often women do not become aware that Women’s health physios exist until they are experiencing pelvic floor issues like incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse or pelvic pain. Having an accurate and thorough examination early post-partum is critical for any woman recovering from pregnancy and delivery.
While issues like incontinence, pain, and prolapse are common, they are not normal and shouldn’t be considered inevitable consequences of becoming a mother. Working with a women’s health physio can help to alleviate symptoms and treat the cause of dysfunction, meaning women do not have to put up with such bothersome symptoms!
A women’s health physio will provide a thorough assessment of the body with close attention to the abdominal wall, and the structures within the pelvis. After performing an external assessment that includes assessing for abdominal separation or diastasis recti, a women’s health physio can then perform an internal assessment.
They can then make recommendations on lifestyle factors (bowel and bladder habits, breath, alignment) that may be increasing one’s risk of developing pelvic floor dysfunction and will work to develop a plan to facilitate recovery from birth and a return to the mother’s chosen activities.
All too often, women are recommended to do kegel after kegel to strengthen their pelvic floor. While these exercises can be a helpful tool in the rehabilitation of one’s pelvic floor, when it comes to improving the function of a pelvic floor there is not a ‘one size fits all approach’. Some women will have a pelvic floor that is over-recruited or over-active which in turn will result in a weak and dysfunctional pelvic floor. These women will be made worse with kegels and will often be required to commence treatment using pelvic floor relaxation techniques. A women’s health physio can identify an over-recruitment issue and can help to facilitate relaxation and more appropriate function.
Many new mums will find that they end up leaking or experiencing pain or pressure if they try to rush back into levels of fitness that they did before giving birth. A women’s health physio will assess your individual function of your pelvic floor and provide recommendations on your return to exercise and activity rate.
The pelvic floor is the base of our core and works together with the diaphragm, the transversus abdominis, and multifidus, stabilizing the body from the inside out. Whether lifting a baby in a car seat, or a barbell at the gym, the pelvic floor responds to stabilise and provide support.
Without adequate rehabilitation post-birth, the body may be susceptible to injury and pain, with the pelvic floor being particularly vulnerable.
All too often I hear that having a C-section removes the risk of pelvic floor dysfunction and often leads women to believe that working with a women’s health physio is only necessary for women who have given birth vaginally. Women who birth by C-section, however, are still susceptible to pelvic floor dysfunction, pain, and diastasis recti and can benefit just as much from seeing a women’s health physio as those women birthing vaginally. There are many other factors other than the birth that can influence the function of the pelvic floor including the pregnancy, fitness and daily life activities, constipation, and genetic predisposition.
As soon as a woman gives birth their focus (and those around them) shifts to caring about their new baby. This frequently puts them at the bottom of the priority list when it comes to care. Prioritising the new mother’s physical and emotional wellness is just as important as celebrating her new baby. Emphasizing recovery and function postpartum has so many benefits for both mum and bub.
We are lucky enough to have two Women’s Health Physios at Chevron Island Physio who can help you. Contact us on 5504 7000 to find out more information.
Alison Jeffrey
(Physiotherapist/Pilates instructor/Women’s Health Special Interest).
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We've put together this collection of 11 small but mighty gifts for under $10 to help you with stocking filler presents, Secret Santa gifts and birthday presents. Most of these presents are ideal small gifts for toddlers. There are a few that would be ideal infant or First Birthday presents and most all are suitable for Primary School Aged Children.
Craft supplies are ideal presents as they are something that can be used all year round or brought out on a rainy day. All the present ideas listed here will help with the development of fine motor skills which are SO important when your child starts school. They will also help improve your child's concentration and ability to sit and complete a task. Not to mention feed their creative imagination!
You don't need to spend a fortune to end up with some quality gifts that kids will LOVE and keep using over and over again.
These pastel coloured Egg chalk are designed for small hands. They are easy to grip giving more control when drawing. Not only are they non-toxic and washable, they are solid and tough to break.
Age Range: from 12 months
Price: $6.95
These face paint crayons are a fun and simple alternative to traditional messy face paint. Use them for special occasions, birthdays, carnivals or just for everyday fun! They are easy to wash off and odourless.
Dermatologically tested, super easy to use, and of course non toxic, these crayons are perfect for children. With a silky soft texture, they are applied smoothly to the skin to creates fabulously bright creations.
Age Range: 4+ years
Price: from $7.95
7 vibrant coloured Pebble shaped crayons have been developed with a specific finger grip to allow children to easily grasp the crayon. With seven beautiful colours to explore, drawing will become a favourite daily task and young children will develop their hand eye coordination, colour recognition and fine motor skills.
Age Range: 3+ years
Price: from $7.95
These felt pens are chunky and bright, perfect for small hands to grip and hold during use. With 5 or 10 vibrant colours these markers use a non-toxic washable ink and feature a ventilated cap to prevent choking. Draw thin lines or create thick strokes with the sink proof tips of these markers. If lids are left off these markers simply dip the tips in water to re-rehydrate.
Age Range: 3+ years
Price: $6.95
Perfectly safe for young children, these Safety Scissors are made with blunt ends and durable plastic. Designed for the little hands, these scissors will not cut skin, hair or fabric. Encourage your little ones to learn the important skill of cutting at an early age without the worry.
Age Range: 2+ years
Price: $4.95
Make bath time even more fun with these non-toxic bath crayons. The bath tub is the perfect place to work on basic early learning skills, colour recognition, creative flair and self expression! Children of all ages can enjoy these bath crayons as they draw, practise letter and number formation or learn to write their name. Made for the use on surfaces in the bathrooms including tiles, glass shower screens and bath tubs, these crayons are easy to clean with a magic eraser.
Age Range: 18+ months
Price: $6.95
This fun and exciting extruder machine lets young children produce 12 different patterns to decorate their dough projects. Great for strengthening hands and fine motor skills. It's like a garlic crusher machine for playdough!
Age Range: 2+ years
Price: $9.95
These crayons are a great way to introduce drawing to little kids. A great First birthday present. These finger puppet crayons slip onto children's little fingers and allow them to draw easily over paper. There are four cute animal designs children will love! Ergonomic and specially designed for little hands to grip, children will also be able to grasp the crayon and control it easily while they draw with the pointed tip. Introducing drawing to your toddler at a young age gives you something fun to do with them on a daily basis and is a great way to help develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Age Range: 18+ months
Price: $5.95
These crayons are non-toxic and designed to be easy and safe for young children to use. They produce rich vibrant colours, have a smooth and soft application and can be easily blended so new artists can experiment with creating different colours and techniques.
Age Range: 18+ months
Price: $6.95
The perfect paint pallet for the little Picasso! Brilliant and bright paint blocks that are non-toxic and long-lasting because they never dry out! Paint vivid pictures with strong vibrant colours by simply wetting your paintbrush! These paints are safe, washable watercolour blocks which have no spillage, no waste... just a whole lot of creative FUN!
Age Range: 18+ months
Price: $9.95
The perfect paint pallet for the little Picasso! Brilliant and bright paint blocks that are non-toxic and long-lasting because they never dry out! Paint vivid pictures with strong vibrant colours by simply wetting your paintbrush! These paints are safe, washable watercolour blocks which have no spillage, no waste... just a whole lot of creative FUN!
Age Range: 12+ months
Price: $6.95
1. Hi Dan, what made you decide to become a dentist?
I had the privilege of coming from a family with a medical background, so I naturally was interested in finding work experience in medicine and dentistry. I found I really enjoyed the experiences I had watching and observing different dentists. Aspects I liked included the fact dentists have to problem solve, work with their hands and work with people. So I decided to pursue dentistry, a decision I am still very happy with.
Baby teeth are very important. They are functionally and aesthetically important for the growing healthy child. They also have to last a long time, so caring for them as if they were permanent teeth is just as vital. Some baby teeth will fall out as late as 15 years old and if adult teeth are missing the baby tooth may need to assume the role of the permanent tooth and last many more years!
4. What should I expect from my Childs first visit to the dentist?
As a dentist we always want to make a first visit fun, not painful and not scary and introduce the child to a whole new experience in a way that regular future visits are not something to dread or worry about. Basically the important thing is that the dentist has a good look at all the teeth and soft tissue and if the child is really compliant may do a quick gentle clean.
5. How often should my child go to the dentist?
In a perfect world, every 6 months
6. Can I take my child to a ‘normal’ dentist or do they need go to a specialist paediatric dentist?
A ‘normal’ dentist is always the best place to go first. If the ‘normal’ dentist then advises you that maybe a paediatric dentist would be better at this moment in time for your child or for any specific reason, then the ‘normal’ dentist can refer you to the paediatric dentist.
7. When should I start brushing my baby’s teeth?
From a couple of months old long before teeth come through is a good time to start brushing your child’s gums. This helps a little bit with cleaning but more importantly gets your child used to the feeling of the toothbrush before teeth come through. Especially considering once teething begins kids can be more difficult when you attempt to brush.
8. Does using a dummy and thumb sucking ruin my childs teeth?
Past 2 or 3 years old it is good to wean your child off the thumb or dummy as prolonged use can move the teeth and change the bite to varying extents. However there is not much wrong with using the thumb or dummy before then, as they can be fantastic soothers for your child. I personally prefer the dummy over the thumb because once you decide to wean or child off, it is much easier to take away than the thumb.
9. Will my child require an x-ray and are dental x-rays safe?
X-rays in general are only taken when needed as they can be a fantastic diagnostic tool, especially if your child has had trauma or some form of pain. The small intra-oral xrays taken at the dentist are very low radiation and are similar to walking in the sun for about half an hour, and are therefore very safe when not taken too often.
10. I want to encourage my kids to brush their own teeth but how will I know if they are doing it correctly?
These are good questions to ask when you see the dentist and they can show you brushing techniques. In general it is good for your children to try themselves maybe in the morning but every night before bed it is important for the parent to help and make sure it is done properly right up till when your children are about 8 years old and much more dexterous.
11. Do you recommend electric toothbrushes for kids over ‘normal’ toothbrushes?
This is more of a personal preference. There is clear evidence to suggest electric toothbrushes do a better job. However manual toothbrushes are definitely good enough particularly if you take your time and brush well.
12. Do I need to floss my child’s teeth?
I am a big believer in flossing and the sooner you start the better. Once your child’s molars are through especially if the teeth are touching each other it is good to start flossing. In reality I know this can be a challenge but if you can aim for a couple of times a week that would be great. The gold standard would be every night.
13. What should I do if one of my child’s teeth are knocked out?
As a rule of thumb if your child’s tooth is knocked out never try put it back in the socket. (A permanent tooth you would try to put back in) Baby teeth should never be put back in. However every situation is different and the best thing is to keep the piece of tooth and get to a dentist as soon as possible
14. My child is a bit anxious about the dentist, how can I make it easier for them?
It is very important that as a parent if you have personal fears of the dentist not to pass those onto your child. The dental surgery is definitely not a scary place and I think the more you mentally prepare your child for the dentist and explain to them what to expect the easier it is. Most of the time your child will end up enjoying their visit to the dentist. In extreme circumstances, where anxiety is a real problem, still go to the dentist and then the dentist can refer you to a paediatric dentist. If needed, your child can then be put to sleep for treatment.
15. My child hates brushing their teeth and screams when try to help. What can I do to encourage good dental hygiene without the scream-fest?
As a parent myself, I think routine is the best way to overcome this. Screaming is normal but the more you brush and practice and make it part of your child’s nightly routine the less and less your child will resist and scream. It is also important that your child sees you brush regularly so they know that you brush too and it is nothing to scream over or be scared of.
Thank you so much for these answers to our questions Dan! A few of the answers surprised me - especially the flossing every night and the electric toothbrush! Also I didn't realise you should start brushing your babies teeth before they come through. It all makes so much sense now though. If you've got any more questions for Dr Dan, please feel free to get in contact with him at Ben Swindley Dental on 07 5578 5366.
]]>Finger painting is such a fun activity for babies and preschoolers to participate in. The benefits are undeniable and with a bit of planning and preparation you can set up a finger painting activity for your child with minimal stress and mess. It’s a great way to have fun and bond with your child. Be a fun mum, try finger painting today!
]]>Before we get into how to control the mess, let’s explore the benefits of painting with your fingers:
Now here’s how you control the mess so your child can experience all these amazing physical, creative and social benefits of messy play;
The beautiful pictures in this blog post were taken by Storm from @through_our_days. You can see more of her motherhood journey here.
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You can twist, mould, shape and cut the Magic Corn blocks. Each Magic Corn block needs to be moistened (there is a sponge in the pack) to adhere to paper or other blocks. Then you can press them together or onto the paper! Download these FREE Magic Corn activity sheets to get you started!
Magic Corn is perfect to have on hand for a rainy or sick day, school holidays, they would also make an interesting and novel gift idea for anyone aged 4 to 14. Also suitable for school or daycare arts and crafts! Check them out here!
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