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  2. Nature Play Outdoors

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    Nature Play Outdoors 
     
    Written by Sheila O’Reilly
    www.instagram.com/rascals_and_rainbows
     
    Outdoor play is such an important part of childhood and there is nothing my girls love more than getting outside to play and explore.
    Playing outdoors gives children the opportunity to exercise, develop stamina, strengthen gross motor muscles, takes risks, appreciate nature and much more.
     
    We have definitely acquired a new found appreciation of simple nature play since the arrival of Covid-19 and Lockdown in March. Much more time has been spent playing in parks and forests through Spring, Summer and now into Autumn this year and we have enjoyed observing the seasonal changes too.
     
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  4. Phonics at Home

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    Supporting children at home with phonics
     
    By Sheila O'Reilly
    @Rascals_and_rainbows on Instagram
     
    Phonics is based on the fact that man spoke before he wrote! Phonological skills refers to hearing sounds in words. When we are teaching phonics to children, we teach them to 'Segment' - The ability to access the individual sounds in words; and 'Blend' - The ability to push sounds together in words; and 'Phoneme Manipulation' - Changing sounds in words. For example, say 'Stop' without the 's'. Say 'ten'. Say it again and change the 't' to 'p'.
     
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  5. Toys to improve fine motor skills and hand strength

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    Toys to develop fine motor skills and Hand Strength

    Fine motor skills and hand strength help children perform important everyday tasks such as, feeding themselves, zipping clothes and writing and drawing.

    Fine motor skills are an important factor when children are learning to write and the strength and dexterity in their hand can assist in their success or hinder their progress.

    Two recent additions to The Wooden Play Den provide great opportunity for development of fine motor skills and two of my lovely team tried them out with their children.

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  6. Small Business Showcase - Hilda's Planet

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    Small Business Showcase - Hilda's Planet

    A very exciting Showcase this week as we launch books onto our website. I am so pleased to start with the wonderful Hilda's Planet.  The series of books are written by Emily with nature and the great outdoors at the heart of the stories. Inspriring the next generation to look after our planet, and the wildlife, plants and people that inhabit it

    Emily very kindly shared a bit more about her and Hilda's Planet. 

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