Education Starts at Home

Have you noticed more New Zealand schools talking about play-based learning for new entrants?

It’s a big shift, and it’s happening for a really important reason.

For many years education focused heavily on formal learning early on. But research now clearly shows that play is one of the most powerful ways young children learn.

Through play, children are developing the foundations for:

• literacy and numeracy
• problem-solving and critical thinking
• language and communication
• social and emotional skills

Play also strengthens brain connections and helps children retain information more effectively.

This is why many schools are recognising that play isn’t separate from learning, it is learning.

And the beautiful thing is that this type of learning doesn’t only happen in classrooms.

It happens every single day at home through simple moments of exploration, movement, creativity and connection.

Play really is the future of learning.

I’d love to know, what is your little one’s favourite way to play lately?

Stop overcomplicating it.

When it comes to helping your baby learn to walk, simple always works better.

Something as basic as reaching builds:
Balance
Muscle strength
Coordination
Cause and effect

These are the exact foundations your baby needs before they ever take their first steps.

The problem isn’t doing enough.
It’s knowing what actually matters.

Hi, I’m Ella, a registered teacher and mum.
I help you turn what you already have at home into purposeful play that supports your baby’s development.

If you need more simple, effective ideas like this, my Learn With Me cards give you step-by-step activities matched to your baby’s stage so you know exactly what to do.

Comment CARDS and I’ll send you the link ✨

Comment CARDS and I’ll send you the link ✨

Before age 3, your child doesn’t need to memorise facts.
They need to build the skills that make learning possible.

Focus.
Language.
Confidence.

If these aren’t built early, learning becomes harder later.

These skills are built through simple, intentional play

Hi, I’m Ella 👋🏻 Registered early childhood teacher and mum and I show you exactly how to build these skills using what you already have at home.

Our Learn With Me Cards give you clear, stage-based activities so you know you’re confident in supporting your child’s development.

Comment CARDS and I’ll send you the link ✨

Comment “BABY” & I’ll send you the link to our best-selling Learn with Me Baby Cards, helping parents worldwide help their babies meet their milestones ✨

Tummy time isn’t just lying your baby on the floor.

Dynamic tummy time builds real strength. It activates their core, arms, shoulders, neck, and back all at once, which is exactly what they need for rolling, crawling, and sitting.

When you add movement like this, you’re not just “doing tummy time” you’re accelerating gross motor development.

More engagement = more muscle activation = more progress.

Simple shifts like this help your baby build strength faster and with more enjoyment, instead of fighting it.

Most toys are designed to entertain your child… not actually support their development.

And as a mum, it’s so easy to assume more toys = more learning… when really it can be the opposite.

As a qualified early childhood teacher (and mum), these are the types of toys I personally avoid.

Not because they’re “bad”… but because they often:
• do the thinking for your child
• limit creativity
• and don’t grow with them

The kind of play that actually supports development is much simpler than you think.

It’s open-ended.
It’s flexible.
And it uses things you often already have at home.

That’s exactly why I created my Learn With Me cards, to take the guesswork out of play and help you feel confident knowing you’re actually supporting your child’s development.

If you want to see the types of toys and play ideas I do recommend…

Comment TOYS and I’ll send you the link 🤍

The first three years of your child’s life shape everything.

Brain connections are forming at an incredible rate, and play is what drives it.

Children who experience consistent, meaningful play from early on develop stronger language, better focus, and more advanced problem-solving skills.
They regulate emotions better and enter school more confident and capable.

This is what sets the foundation for long-term success.

The challenge isn’t wanting to do this.
It’s knowing what to do every day.

Play doesn’t need to be complicated, but it does need to be intentional.

That’s why thousands of parents are now using simple, stage-based play ideas to take the guesswork out of their day and actually support their child’s development.

Comment PLAY and I’ll send you the link.

FREE CHILD DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINE

Comment “GUIDELINE” for the link ✨

If I were a first-time mum again, I’d do this differently.

I’d focus less on the stuff and more on what me and my baby would actually do each day.

When your partner goes back to work and family leaves, that’s when it hits.
The isolation and not knowing what to do.

Hi, I’m Ella, a registered teacher and mum.
I’ve helped over 4,000 mums turn what they already have at home into learning and play.

Simple, intentional play using everyday items builds your confidence and supports your baby’s development.

You can start from day one.

Comment IDEAS and I’ll send you the link ✨

With everything going on in the world right now and prices for living SKYROCKETING, we need to go back to basics.

This meaning using what we have laying around the house to entertain and educate our children.

Hi, I’m Ella. Registered early childhood teacher & mum, and I have helped over 4,000+ mums worldwide turn what they have at home into learning and play ✨

Comment “IDEAS” & I’ll send you the link to our best-selling play range, giving mums endless ideas on how to entertain their little ones from home.

If you’d like more ideas like these, follow 🤍

Let me explain… 👇🏻

Comment ‘SHOWS’ for my list of 10 shows I WOULD let my toddler watch!

Shows like Cocomelon, Peppa Pig, and SpongeBob SquarePants can seem like harmless, everyday TV we all know and love, but the fast editing, overstimulation, or behaviour being modelled can sometimes have more impact on our children than we realise.

I’ll always be a big advocate for play and limiting screens, especially for little ones, but I also know that sometimes you just need to put something on to get through the day, so having a simple go-to cheat sheet of slower, more age-appropriate shows can help you feel confident and good about those moments.

We hardly ever do this… but 20% OFF is officially live 🤍

If you’ve been feeling stuck not knowing what to do with your baby or toddler during the day… this is exactly why I created these.

✔️ Simple, low-prep activities using what you already have at home
✔️ Designed by an early childhood teacher
✔️ Supports your child’s development in those early years

Thousands of mums are already using these to make their days feel easier, more intentional, and actually enjoyable 🤍

Our toddler cards are always the first to sell out, and some items are already going quickly…

If you’ve been thinking about it, this is your sign to grab them while they’re on sale ✨

Shop now before we sell out 💫