Pathways for Parents

18/06/2024

Is your child starting to push and pull objects? This can be described as 'heavy work' play and hugely beneficial for a young child's development. It could all begin with a washing basket and my latest blog shares the benefits of 'heavy work' and simple ideas to provide this play opportunity at home.

Is your child starting to push and pull objects? Maybe even moving things like light tables or even the highchair! We brainstormed at a Raising Mamas Playgroup morning, simple things that you have at home that your growing baby could use to push and pull. We came up with a washing basket as a safe ....

27/05/2024

Drawing and writing will be a big part of your child’s future learning at school. Getting them curious and interested from an early age is key to growing a positive mindset towards the task, as well as developing the physical skills needed to complete the task.
This blog post shares some practical tips and ideas to get children more engaged in drawing and writing.

Being a Role Model and Creating a Purpose When children see adults use writing, they begin to understand its function or purpose. Involving your child in a writing or drawing task further teaches them about how writing is used in everyday life. At the same time, the child will be developing their fi...

03/05/2024

It was wonderful to connect with families in the Flinders Early Learning Centre this morning. A positive parenting presentation highlighted routines and strategies to strengthen a child-parent relationship, build a child's self-esteem, and grow their ability to accept limitations, boundaries and cope with frustrations and challenges. Thank you for the opportunity Jo and Bec.

30/04/2024

Managing a child's bigger emotions in a supportive, positive way can be challenging for many parents. This article, on the Triple P website, offers tips and positive actions for parents at these trickier times. Exploring the Triple P website will uncover many more parenting articles, tips and blog posts.

Learn how to handle tantrums with more confidence and patience.

15/04/2024

Developing the skills to hold and manipulate a pencil are vital ones needed for a child starting school. Drawing, writing and recording will be part of every day, and a child with strong skills in this area is more likely to be able to cope with the task instructions and demands.
In this post, Growing Hands-On Kids explains how the building blocks of this skill develop when a child is just a few months old. The post also shares some great activities that will foster your child's continued development in this area.

Pincer grasp helps prepare children for developing fine motor skills. Help a child develop a pincer grasp with these fun and easy activities.

08/04/2024

https://pathwaysforparents.com.au/how-can-i-get-my-child-to-listen-to-me/

03/04/2024

Wondering about getting your little one to talk?
This post from Queensland Health tells us how it all happens from a very early age.

02/04/2024

As a child's first teacher, parents are in the perfect role to teach their growing child about feelings and emotions. Understanding their own feelings, the feelings of others and knowing coping strategies to use when needed, are critical skills for a child to start to learn early in life.

Parents can incorporate teaching about emotions in everyday life. Ideas include: Let your child know that emotions are a normal part of life, and big emotions such as getting angry or frustrated are ok. Talk about your own feelings and be the role model for language and coping strategies, e.g. ‘Oh...

27/03/2024

Triple P is a Positive Parenting Program backed up by 30 years of research and has created a list of Top 10 Tips for parents, many of which parents may already be doing.

When your child wants to show you something, stop what you are doing and pay attention to your child. It is important to spend frequent, small amounts of time with your child doing things that you both enjoy. Give your child lots of physical affection – children often like hugs, cuddles and holdin...

13/03/2024

How much fun can one little person have playing in a cardboard box?
Lots! Playing hide and seek or 'boo!' in this space will be an instant hit, and only the beginning of the possibilities for play that grows creativity, language, social skills, problem solving and flexible thinking.

A cardboard box is a simple, yet powerful play choice when it comes to fostering imaginative play. The box can transform into different settings and scenarios depending on the child’s creativity and interests on the day. Whether it be a spaceship, base, office, shop, garage, tent, library, or cozy...