BY SUSANNA PINKUS
I am often asked for ways to support young children’s learning and skills when they are struggling at school.
But rather than add even more supports in before and after school, I prefer (where possible) to weave the more formal interventions into the school day. Home is therefore preserved as a sanctuary, a place for relaxation and connection. Not a place for pressure and overt emphasis on the things the child finds difficult.
That doesn’t mean of course that learning and development isn’t taking place.
Having time to play with pets, building lego, bouncing on that trampoline, imagining, building dens or kicking a football about, drawing, colouring, chatting, listening, playing a game, snoozing, having time to be with their siblings and parents, resting or doing nothing much at all. This is often what is needed after school and on weekends. And of course, much learning is going on too (the really important kind)!
I wrote this article a few years back for the HuffPost. It features ideas for day-to-day fun activities to do with younger children. It was nice to revisit, bringing back some happy memories too ❤️.
I would love to know if you try any of the ideas. I can absolutely recommend making the rainbow bread and the evening flower walks.
