Learn Play Shine

Needing help with keeping your little one entertained during meal times? 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Try the conversation cards from . Such a fun way to connect and learn more about each other! 🧡

Use my code, LEARNPLAYSHINE, when ordering these amazing conversation starters for $5 off!

Who doesn’t love a cheeky sale?! 😉

25% off applied automatically at checkout!

Sale ending tonight at 11:59pm so be quick and happy shopping 💛

Facts! 💛

Who doesn’t love a game of UNO? Wonder how playing UNO is beneficial for your children? Consider the following:

✨ Develops fine motor skills
✨ Facilitates bonding
✨ Encourages fun social interaction
✨ Enhances strategic thinking
✨ Enhances memory
✨ Teaches the importance of rule-following
✨ Teaches them how to identify numbers and colours
✨ Teaches visual discrimination - it exposes children to repetitively match colours and numbers
✨ Provides a fun way for them to learn to count and do basic mathematics

For us, we help the little ones by placing the cards down on the table and then asking if they have a card with the colour or number 💛

How to get children involved in chores!

It’s best to start by choosing chores that work for children’s ages and abilities. Even young children can help with chores if you choose activities that are right for their age.

You can motivate your child to get involved in chores by:
* doing the chore together until your child can do it on their own
* being clear about each person’s chores for the day
* talking about why it’s great that a particular job has been done
* showing an interest in how your child has done the job
* praising positive behaviour

Chores for toddlers:
* Pick up toys and books
* Put clothes on clothes hooks
* Set placemats on the dinner table

Chores for preschoolers:
* Set the table for meals
* Help with preparing meals (under supervision)
* Help put laundry away
* Help with grocery shopping and putting them away

The benefits of reading are endless!

Reading and sharing stories can:
📚 help your child get to know sounds, words and language
📚 develop early literacy skills
📚 spark your child’s imagination and stimulate curiosity
📚 learn to value books and stories
📚 help your child learn about the world

✏️ Does your child have an awkward pencil grip, have messy drawing skills, difficulty using scissors or tire easily when participating in a fine motor skills activity?

If you answered yes to any of the above, it means your child needs to continue working on their fine motor skills.

Fine motor refers to the group of skills involved in the ability to manipulate smaller objects with the hands and fingers, for example, grasping, holding and pinching.

But most importantly, fine motor skills are VERY critical for the development of emergent writing!

What are some of your favourite fine motor activities? 💛

🥰💛

Our Dinosaur Kit set up and full of learning opportunities! 🦖

Order yours today 💛

✨ Why is rice a fantastic sensory kit filler? ✨

There are so many reasons!

Now I know the thought of giving your child rice sounds messy, but it really isn’t that bad!

Rice is small so it helps children develop fine motor control, for example, scooping it up with their hands, using their fingers to pick up individual rice grains. When children are using cups, spoons, etc. they are also practicing hand-eye coordination and also learning about capacity and estimation.

In addition, they also explore sound and handling rice also has a calming effect! 😌

🎉 GIVEAWAY 🎉

To say THANK YOU, I have organised a giveaway with a number of incredible small businesses!

One lucky winner will be gifted over $500 in prizes and vouchers!

TO ENTER:
✨ You must be FOLLOWING this page .play.shine
✨ FOLLOW all the businesses involved:
* Eternity Breastmilk And Keepsake Jewellery
* Vogue Gifts & Co
* Little Goodlocks & Co.
* Nat's Nest
* Tu Daughters Laser Cut designs
* Around The Table
* Curious Kids Toy Lab
✨ LIKE this post
✨ TAG your friends and family (one tag per comment)
✨ SHARE this post on your story and tag us for an extra 5 entries!

Giveaway starts today Wednesday 20th October and will end Tuesday 2nd November at 7:30pm. The winner will be announced via our stories.

The winner MUST be following every account mentioned in this giveaway and it is only open to Australian residents only.

GOODLUCK! ✨💛

Self-feeding 🥣

The best way to build independent feeding skills is to learn the normal developmental stages of self-feeding.

How do you do this?

🍴 Encourage children to practice feeding themselves from infancy on.
🍴 Offer finger food.
🍴 Let your child explore a spoon and fork.
🍴 Let them be as independent as possible during mealtimes.
🍴 Consider bowls that attach to the table and small cups with handles.
🍴 Provide help and encouragement when needed.