Sprouts, Sprouts sprouts

Dear Parent and Carers, as the main educator of your children, sometimes we sadly worry that we are not buying our children enough expensive toys and equipment. That they need extended periods of time on electronic educational apps, I pads and or computers.

We understand the pressures you face, the guilt you feel for not purchasing the latest toy or gadget. 

Children today are living in the technological age and don't need to be worried about computers and screens, until much later in life.

For now, their little brains are NOT fully equipped to handle technology and need to old fashioned skills of nurture and hands-on creativity. to tinker, explore, potter and to play!

LET OUR CHILDREN BE LITTLE!

 

The next time you are in the fruit and vegetable aisle of your local supermarket, pick up a bag of sprouts! YES, SPROUTS!

Take them home and pop them in a bowl, set up a little makeshift home corner with your pots and pans, spoons and utensils.  Alternatively, if your child already has a play kitchen, set them up in there.

Children are innately curious and will love to investigate and explore. These handy little vegetables are a perfect size for little fingers, to peel and unwrap. Children will spend countless hours, taking each leafy layer and unwrapping it from the next. 

This is a great activity for fine motor skills, developing the strength and dexterity of little fingers and thumbs. this itself is a prerequisite for pencil control at a later age and stage,  Children can be encouraged to count the leaves as they are plucked off. It's a great conversational point, discussing fruit and vegetables, talking about where they grow. This may, in turn, lead onto growing seeds or bulbs or your own sprouts, potatoes or carrots.

So please parents, do not despair. You are doing a great job and every opportunity is a learning opportunity for our young children. All they require is an enthusiastic, supporter and guide who can show them the magic in everything we see and encounter. 

Children are researchers and through play, they WILL BE LEARNING. 

Promise you that it doesn't have to cost you money.