Little Wombles Cross Community Playgroup

27/08/2026

Starting school — or returning after the holidays — can sometimes feel like a BIG step for little ones.

To help your child prepare for the transition, I 100% recommend Dr Mary O'Kane approach. Here are four simple strategies that can be incredibly reassuring and effective:

💗 Matching Love Hearts
Draw a little heart on your wrist and a matching one on your child’s. When they miss you during the day, they can gently touch their heart and feel that reassuring connection. Tell them you’ll touch yours when you’re missing them too. You could even add a tiny spray of your perfume or aftershave to their wrist for another familiar reminder of you.

🪨 Pebble in My Pocket
Find two similar pebbles, gemstones or crystals. You keep one and your child keeps the other. When they feel nervous or miss you, they can give their pebble a little squeeze — a small, concrete reminder that you are connected, even when you’re apart.

💌 Worries in My Pocket
Talk together about any worries they have about school. Write each worry on a little piece of paper and put them in your pocket. Tell your child:
“I’ll carry your worries for you while you’re at school. You don’t have to carry them all by yourself.”

🌸 A Familiar Scent
A familiar smell can be incredibly comforting. You could add a tiny spray of your perfume or aftershave to a tissue that they can keep with them. It can provide a lovely reminder of home and help them feel connected to you when you’re apart.

Here are some lovely books to help support attachment and transitions:
🦝 The Kissing Hand
📚 The Invisible String
🦉 Owl Babies

And remember… your connection with your child is one of the most important supports you can give them.

26/08/2026

📣NEW WORKSHOP
When every day parenting feels like fighting fires...🔥
Take a step back and join us to think about how you parent and explore what works and why.
📞 Call 0808 8020 400 for more information or to book your place

24/08/2026

📣 Support available for families as new school year begins

The EA is reminding parents and carers that help and information is available as schools across Northern Ireland prepare to welcome pupils back for the new academic year.

A number of dedicated helplines are in place and further information and details of support are available through the EA website and social media channels. This covers a range of areas, including special educational needs (SEN), school transport, free school meals, uniform grants and admissions.

🔗 Read more: https://ow.ly/7b8M50ZEAHu

24/08/2026

Sometimes the most important thing we can do for children is simply… let them. 💛

Let them colour outside the lines.
Let them play outside with bare feet.
Let them have muddy hands.
Let them change their mind.
Let them make mistakes.
Let them ask why.
Let them feel big feelings.
Let them take their time.
Let them do it differently.
Let them try — without rushing in to make it perfect.

Childhood doesn’t need to be neat.

So much learning happens in the mess, the experimenting, the wondering, the getting-it-wrong-and-trying-again.

When we give children a little more freedom to explore, we’re not lowering expectations. We’re giving them opportunities to develop confidence, curiosity, creativity and trust in themselves.

Sometimes our job isn’t to show them the ‘right’ way.

Sometimes it’s to stand nearby, keep them safe and let them.

23/08/2026

23/08/2026

And dads too

You made the memories, handled the snacks, survived the heat, and kept everyone going. You did enough♥️

22/08/2026

This ❤️

20/08/2026

Back to School 🏫📚👫

We have developed a resource kit to prepare your child for going back to school, including top tips for returning to school, a social story, weekly planner and visual boards.

To download for free, visit https://autismni.org/help-support/resources/education-resources

19/08/2026

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀! 🌲🍂

Join us on Sunday 6 September, 1–4pm for this year's second free Family Forest School event at Ballyronan Marina.

Children and families are invited to enjoy a range of hands-on outdoor activities that help build confidence, spark curiosity and creativity, improve physical health and coordination, develop social and communication skills, and strengthen their connection to nature.

A great opportunity to enjoy fun, learning, and the outdoors together.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.

No booking required – just come along and join the fun!

19/08/2026

We look forward to welcoming the children back to pre-school from next Wednesday. Please refer to your child’s individual timetable for further guidance.

Please make sure you check Seesaw regularly for key information, important notices and updates. Seesaw was updated today with important information, so please take a moment to check your child’s account.

If you require any help or support using Seesaw, please email:
[email protected]

Thank you! 😊