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Monthly Development Focuses

Why do children learn best through play?

Why do children learn best through play?

Why do children learn best through play?

Why won't my child play independently? - 6 steps to developing your child's Independent Play

Why won't my child play independently? - 6 steps to developing your child's Independent Play

Why won't my child play independently? - 6 steps to developing your child's Independent Play

Autumn Busy Bag Ideas for Toddlers & Preschoolers

Autumn Busy Bag Ideas for Toddlers & Preschoolers

Autumn Busy Bag Ideas for Toddlers & Preschoolers

‘Christmas' Purposeful Play Activity Guide - Know & Play Preschool: - All about it and FAQs

‘Christmas' Purposeful Play Activity Guide - Know & Play Preschool: - All about it and FAQs

‘Christmas' Purposeful Play Activity Guide - Know & Play Preschool: - All about it and FAQs

Play shouldn’t be separate from learning.
Play is learning.

When children build, explore, move and experiment, they are developing the foundations that support future learning.

Play is never ‘just play’.
They are learning in the most developmentally appropriate way possible.

Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply give children the time and space to play, and trust in their development journey.

Wanting to know where to start, when supporting your little one’s development through their play? Comment JOIN to find out more about my membership guidance journey 🌈✨

#childdevelopment
#learningthroughplay
#earlychildhooddevelopment
#parentingtoddlers
#playbasedlearning

Play shouldn’t be separate from learning.
Play is learning.

When children build, explore, move and experiment, they are developing the foundations that support future learning.

Play is never ‘just play’.
They are learning in the most developmentally appropriate way possible.

Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply give children the time and space to play, and trust in their development journey.

Wanting to know where to start, when supporting your little one’s development through their play? Comment JOIN to find out more about my membership guidance journey 🌈✨

#childdevelopment
#learningthroughplay
#earlychildhooddevelopment
#parentingtoddlers
#playbasedlearning

Independent play doesn’t look the same at every stage of childhood.

For a newborn, it might simply be lying calmly under a high-contrast mobile, observing the movement and light around them.

For a baby, it might be exploring a treasure basket or freely moving around their play space.

For toddlers and preschoolers, independent play may become more imaginative — building, pretending, creating and experimenting with ideas.

The goal isn’t to expect young children to play alone for long periods.

Instead, it’s about gradually building their confidence in exploring, discovering and following their own ideas through play.

Independent play grows over time, just like every other part of development.

And the more opportunities children have to practise it, the more it naturally develops.

If independent play is something your child is currently finding tricky, this month’s development focus inside the Know & Play membership explores it in much more depth, with practical strategies (that work!) that you can try at home.

Comment JOIN to find out more ✨🌈

#independentplay
#learningthroughplay
#playbasedlearning
#childdevelopment
#parentingtoddlers

Independent play doesn’t look the same at every stage of childhood.

For a newborn, it might simply be lying calmly under a high-contrast mobile, observing the movement and light around them.

For a baby, it might be exploring a treasure basket or freely moving around their play space.

For toddlers and preschoolers, independent play may become more imaginative — building, pretending, creating and experimenting with ideas.

The goal isn’t to expect young children to play alone for long periods.

Instead, it’s about gradually building their confidence in exploring, discovering and following their own ideas through play.

Independent play grows over time, just like every other part of development.

And the more opportunities children have to practise it, the more it naturally develops.

If independent play is something your child is currently finding tricky, this month’s development focus inside the Know & Play membership explores it in much more depth, with practical strategies (that work!) that you can try at home.

Comment JOIN to find out more ✨🌈

#independentplay
#learningthroughplay
#playbasedlearning
#childdevelopment
#parentingtoddlers

Many parents feel pressure to constantly do more for their child’s development.

More activities.
More learning.
More structure.

But in reality, young children learn best through simple, everyday experiences.

Play.
Conversation.
Movement.
Exploration.

These are the foundations that support learning far more than early academics or complicated, instagrammable activities.

Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do as parents is slow down and trust development.

If you want to explore more developmentally grounded guidance, you’ll love my Know & Play Membership. Comment JOIN to find out more, or tap the link in my bio ✨

#earlychildhooddevelopment
#playbasedlearning
#toddlerplay
#learningthroughplay
#parentingtoddlers

Many parents feel pressure to constantly do more for their child’s development.

More activities.
More learning.
More structure.

But in reality, young children learn best through simple, everyday experiences.

Play.
Conversation.
Movement.
Exploration.

These are the foundations that support learning far more than early academics or complicated, instagrammable activities.

Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do as parents is slow down and trust development.

If you want to explore more developmentally grounded guidance, you’ll love my Know & Play Membership. Comment JOIN to find out more, or tap the link in my bio ✨

#earlychildhooddevelopment
#playbasedlearning
#toddlerplay
#learningthroughplay
#parentingtoddlers

Here’s the DIY instructions for how to make the sand & water trays in our garden ✨

I wanted toddler-height trays to make them accessible to use independently, without spending £££s! A DIY seemed the best choice!

(SAMLA boxes are a brilliant size, but aren’t necessarily the strongest, so you can definitely adapt the sizing to fit a tub you already have/one that’s a little stronger if you’re needing it to be more robust. Adding a bar underneath is definitely the best option too. I haven’t got photographs of the stands with the bars under yet - but you’ll be able to see this in my 2026 garden post once it’s ready 😍✨🌈)

Comment GARDEN for a link to my blog post that contains all the links, DIY instructions and video walkthrough tours of the garden from 2023-2025. I’ll add on 2026 once it’s complete this year!

Don’t forget to SAVE & SHARE this post too ❤️

Happy Knowing & Playing!

#kidsgarden #toddlergarden #gardeninspo #learningthroughplay #outdoorplay

Here’s the DIY instructions for how to make the sand & water trays in our garden ✨

I wanted toddler-height trays to make them accessible to use independently, without spending £££s! A DIY seemed the best choice!

(SAMLA boxes are a brilliant size, but aren’t necessarily the strongest, so you can definitely adapt the sizing to fit a tub you already have/one that’s a little stronger if you’re needing it to be more robust. Adding a bar underneath is definitely the best option too. I haven’t got photographs of the stands with the bars under yet - but you’ll be able to see this in my 2026 garden post once it’s ready 😍✨🌈)

Comment GARDEN for a link to my blog post that contains all the links, DIY instructions and video walkthrough tours of the garden from 2023-2025. I’ll add on 2026 once it’s complete this year!

Don’t forget to SAVE & SHARE this post too ❤️

Happy Knowing & Playing!

#kidsgarden #toddlergarden #gardeninspo #learningthroughplay #outdoorplay

“Why won’t they just go and play?”
“I can’t get anything done!”
“I’m constantly having to use screens to get any sort of break.”

Sound familiar?

The good thing is, independent play isn’t something children can or can’t do. It’s a developmental skill, and like all skills, it grows from the right foundations.

Mr 4 used to struggle with this so much, but with the six steps I share in this month’s development focus content, we’ve made huge progress & now independent play is a big part of his day!

If you’re looking for developmentally grounded guidance, tried and tested steps to success, and ongoing continued support whilst you support your child’s growing independence…

… then head over to the Monthly Development Hub on my website ✨ A new space exclusively for Know & Play Members.

Not a member yet?
Comment JOIN to learn more & see if it’s for you 👀

#independentplay #childdevelopment #toddlerplay #playbasedlearning #earlyyears

“Why won’t they just go and play?”
“I can’t get anything done!”
“I’m constantly having to use screens to get any sort of break.”

Sound familiar?

The good thing is, independent play isn’t something children can or can’t do. It’s a developmental skill, and like all skills, it grows from the right foundations.

Mr 4 used to struggle with this so much, but with the six steps I share in this month’s development focus content, we’ve made huge progress & now independent play is a big part of his day!

If you’re looking for developmentally grounded guidance, tried and tested steps to success, and ongoing continued support whilst you support your child’s growing independence…

… then head over to the Monthly Development Hub on my website ✨ A new space exclusively for Know & Play Members.

Not a member yet?
Comment JOIN to learn more & see if it’s for you 👀

#independentplay #childdevelopment #toddlerplay #playbasedlearning #earlyyears

Two years ago we made a little pond in the garden and were lucky enough to have a froggy friend come and live there 😍 Last year we used a bigger tub and have made our pond even bigger than before. We watched frogspawn grow into frogs, which was an amazing learning experience of a life cycle in action! (Along with all sorts of other water critters we began to identify 🪲)

Having a small pond has been wonderful for attracting nature and learning about the ups and downs of life cycles, but our best and funniest moment so far was when we spotted our lovely resident pigeon happily floating on the water like a duck 🦆😂

I am definitely not a pond expert so would totally recommend researching like I did on official wildlife websites too, if you’re wanting to find out more!

#gardeninspo #toddlergarden #kidsgarden #diypond #outdoorplay

Two years ago we made a little pond in the garden and were lucky enough to have a froggy friend come and live there 😍 Last year we used a bigger tub and have made our pond even bigger than before. We watched frogspawn grow into frogs, which was an amazing learning experience of a life cycle in action! (Along with all sorts of other water critters we began to identify 🪲)

Having a small pond has been wonderful for attracting nature and learning about the ups and downs of life cycles, but our best and funniest moment so far was when we spotted our lovely resident pigeon happily floating on the water like a duck 🦆😂

I am definitely not a pond expert so would totally recommend researching like I did on official wildlife websites too, if you’re wanting to find out more!

#gardeninspo #toddlergarden #kidsgarden #diypond #outdoorplay

If you’ve wanted a Potion Ingredients Pick & Mix Bench for ages, like I have, then this hack is for you!

The shop bought benches are just so pricey for what they are, and definitely weren’t in the budget. So instead, I found this old shoe rack on Facebook marketplace & gave it a freshen up with some outdoor garden paint we had left over. We cut holes to fit the small Trofast tubs and they slot in and out now perfectly for easy change up and cleaning 😍 What’s great is that the Trofast tubs also come with lids, but we’ve also added some drainage holes anyway to them so they can be left out.

There are so many developmental benefits to using loose parts, and we shouldn’t forget that this doesn’t have to be indoors!

What do you think? An easy peasy DIY that cost £8 (the cost of four tubs) instead of over £100!!!

#toddlergarden #kidsgarden #gardeninspo #learningthroughplay #outdoorplay

If you’ve wanted a Potion Ingredients Pick & Mix Bench for ages, like I have, then this hack is for you!

The shop bought benches are just so pricey for what they are, and definitely weren’t in the budget. So instead, I found this old shoe rack on Facebook marketplace & gave it a freshen up with some outdoor garden paint we had left over. We cut holes to fit the small Trofast tubs and they slot in and out now perfectly for easy change up and cleaning 😍 What’s great is that the Trofast tubs also come with lids, but we’ve also added some drainage holes anyway to them so they can be left out.

There are so many developmental benefits to using loose parts, and we shouldn’t forget that this doesn’t have to be indoors!

What do you think? An easy peasy DIY that cost £8 (the cost of four tubs) instead of over £100!!!

#toddlergarden #kidsgarden #gardeninspo #learningthroughplay #outdoorplay

If you’ve ever wondered…

“What actually is the Know & Play Membership?”
“Is it right for me?”
“What would I get inside?”

Here’s everything you need to know.

The Know & Play Membership is a carefully curated space designed to help you feel confident in supporting your child’s development.

It’s not about perfect activities.
It’s not about doing more.
It’s about understanding the WHY behind what you’re already doing, and guide you through what comes next.

Each month inside, you’ll find:
✨ A clear development focus (this month: Independent Play)
✨ An in-depth video explaining what’s happening developmentally
✨ Purposeful, realistic play ideas
✨ Guidance on supporting your child’s stage
✨ A live Q&A where you can ask your questions directly to me
✨ A growing resource library to dip into anytime

It’s for you if you want:
• To feel inspired, not overwhelmed
• To understand your child better
• To feel reassured that you’re doing enough and the ‘right’ things
• To have trusted guidance in one place

The membership is always open - no pressure, no countdowns.

Just a space that you can always step into, when you’re ready.

If that sounds like something you’ve been looking for, the link is in my bio 🔗

Or comment JOIN and I’ll guide you through the next steps 🌈🥰

Happy Knowing & Playing!

If you’ve ever wondered…

“What actually is the Know & Play Membership?”
“Is it right for me?”
“What would I get inside?”

Here’s everything you need to know.

The Know & Play Membership is a carefully curated space designed to help you feel confident in supporting your child’s development.

It’s not about perfect activities.
It’s not about doing more.
It’s about understanding the WHY behind what you’re already doing, and guide you through what comes next.

Each month inside, you’ll find:
✨ A clear development focus (this month: Independent Play)
✨ An in-depth video explaining what’s happening developmentally
✨ Purposeful, realistic play ideas
✨ Guidance on supporting your child’s stage
✨ A live Q&A where you can ask your questions directly to me
✨ A growing resource library to dip into anytime

It’s for you if you want:
• To feel inspired, not overwhelmed
• To understand your child better
• To feel reassured that you’re doing enough and the ‘right’ things
• To have trusted guidance in one place

The membership is always open - no pressure, no countdowns.

Just a space that you can always step into, when you’re ready.

If that sounds like something you’ve been looking for, the link is in my bio 🔗

Or comment JOIN and I’ll guide you through the next steps 🌈🥰

Happy Knowing & Playing!

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