All My Children

Andrew is happy to play with other children and has three boys with whom he particularly likes to play. As soon as the game becomes involved enough to warrant rules, e.g. ‘You are not allowed to get me when I go behind this tree’, Andrew seems to deliberately ignore the rules. Games almost always end in arguments. When an adult is setting out the rules of a table-top game, Andrew often ignores these, deliberately moving his counter in any way he sees fit. Although the adults end up barring Andrew from the games, he always makes a fuss about it. Continue Reading »

Harry is a popular boy who loves to be involved in all activities in the pre-school. He is a polite, well-behaved child who follows instructions and is confident. However, whenever there is a more physical or boisterous activity going on, Harry becomes quite out of control, very excited and appears not to be able to hear adults giving him instructions about expected behaviour. Continue Reading »

For an indoor party it’s a good thing to think of balloons — they always look festive. So do the traditional decorations for a Christmas party of paper chains, holly and ivy, tinsel and glitter, stars, shining balls and bells. But you will want other ideas for parties with a particular theme. Continue Reading »

Jade only plays with one particular child at the pre-school. If that child is absent, Jade just sits by herself. She is co-operative with adults and joins in with tasks but will not play with any other child during the free play session. When her particular friend is at the pre-school, Jade dislikes being joined in a game by anyone else. Continue Reading »

Toni always attaches herself to an adult by holding their hand when she is outside and will attempt to stay with that person for the entire session. When other children approach her and ask her to join them she becomes even more attached to the adult, holding on to their hand more tightly. All suggestions and encouragements from staff fail to engage Toni in the activities on offer. Continue Reading »

Pooh Costumes

Fancy dress is fun, and although not every family has time or talent to make costumes which will be worn once only, some Pooh characters can be very simply made. Christopher Robin, for example, needs little more than shorts, a shirt and sandals, plus a soft hat. Or when guests arrive you could give them all ears and a tail to show which of the Pooh book characters they are. Continue Reading »

Milos is very keen to participate in everything on offer at the pre-school. So keen, in fact, that he is bursting to answer questions in whole-group sessions, often blurting out answers before the adult has finished talking. During games, Milos has difficulty waiting for his turn and just takes his turn before anyone can intervene. Milos acts on impulse and doesn’t seem to think first. Continue Reading »

Lucy simply refuses to carry on with games if other children make suggestions which do not match her own. If Lucy’s rules are not adhered to, she finds it impossible to carry on with the game. Lucy often ends up in tears of frustration when she cannot get her own way and takes some time to recover her composure. Lucy has great difficulty accepting that she cannot always be first in line or the one who has done the ‘best’ painting. Continue Reading »

A birthday table makes a charming and practical focus on this special day. Family tradition prefers to use the same piece of furniture every birthday: a coffee table, chest or sideboard would be suitable.

A festive ‘birthday cloth’ covers the table which bears cards, presents, flowers and maybe the birthday cake. In some countries the cake appears at breakfast time, in which case the birthday child (or adult) waits outside the room while the family gathers around the table. When the cake candles are alight, a little bell is rung to give the signal for the door to be opened and the birthday song to begin. Continue Reading »

The adult asks the children to draw a picture of themselves in the middle circle and the people closest to them (i.e. those who live with them) in the second circle. In the third circle the children draw people they see most days (these could be neighbours, relatives, pre-school friends and staff etc.). The children draw people they sometimes see in the next circle (e.g. doctors, shopkeepers, the postman). A final outer circle could be added for the children to draw people who they rarely see (e.g. relatives living abroad). Children who find drawing too challenging can be provided with a jar of buttons to represent themselves, their famly and their friends. Continue Reading »