TOP 100 BABY PRODUCTS - Top Tips Edition

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TOP TIPS EDITION

description

Top Tips on everything you need to know before making the all important decisions on baby products. From choosing a push chair to baby-proofing your home, gathered from parents and experts who gave us their pearls of wisdom.

Transcript of TOP 100 BABY PRODUCTS - Top Tips Edition

Page 1: TOP 100 BABY PRODUCTS - Top Tips Edition

TOP TIPS EDIT ION

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“A grand adventure is about to begin

- Winnie the Poo

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WELCOME TO THE TOP 100 BABY PRODUCTS

FROM  THE  FOUNDERS  ZAC  &  LETICIA      

 As   parents   of   two   young   children   close   in   age   we   were  overwhelmed  when  introduced  to  the  world  of  baby  products,  a   sea   of   choices   and   disparate   sources   of   informaJon  meant  our  wide-­‐eyed  selves  made  many  silly  (and  at  best,  humorous)  purchases.    The  Top  100  Baby  Products   is  a  FREE  one-­‐stop  guide  and  rich  online   content   plaSorm   for   insight   into   the   early   years  parenJng   experience.   EnJrely   determined  by   parents   sharing  valuable  knowledge  and  experience,   it   is  not   just   for  parents,  but   grandparents,   friends   and   care   providers   -­‐   because   we  don’t   make   these   decisions   alone!   We   are   a   collecJve   of  industry  experts,  writers,  researchers,  photographers,  foodies,  illustrators,  teachers  and  of  course  -­‐    every  day  parents!      To   learn   about   the   Top   100   baby   Products   please   visit  top100babyproducts.com.   In   this   special  TOP  TIPS  ediJon  we  present   you   with   everything   you’ll   need   to   know   along   with  some   inspiraJon   on   this   wonderful   journey   you   have  embarked  on.  

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DIGITAL EDITON -­‐  COMING  SOON  -­‐  

 Subscribe  for  your  FREE  copy,  along  with  the  latest on top baby products, offers, expert insight, tips and musings from our contributors and guest bloggers

 TOP100BABYPRODUCTS.COM  

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GET TO KNOW US

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How it works The  Top  100  Baby  Products   is  a  vote-­‐driven  guide.   Our   research   team   reaches   out   to  parents   throughout   the   UK   to   share   their  knowledge  and  experiences.  This  is  done  via    focus   groups,   birth   centres,   baby   shows,  health   centres,   nurseries,   online   parenJng  networks  and  social  media.      With   no   pre-­‐selected   list   of   products   to  choose   from,  any  product  can  be  voted   for.  Votes   are   submi^ed   primarily   with   our  online   form  however  Twi^er  and   Instagram  is   also   at   hand   for   the   social  media   savvy   -­‐  #top100babyproducts.      This  informaJon  is  pooled  together,  collated  and  shortlisted  based  on  5  key  criteria:    

VALUE FOR MONEY

FUNCTIONALITY

LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT

SAFETY

STYLE  

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PUSHCHAIRS  iCANDY  Peach  

BUGABOO  Cameleon  CYBEX  Priam  

MACLAREN  Quest  STOKKE  Xplory  

BABY  JOGGER  City  Mini  GT  PHIL  &  TEDS  Navigator  MOUNTAIN  BUGGY  Duet  

JOOLZ  Day  Quadro  COSATTO  Giggle  

CAR SEATS & TRAVEL  MAXI-­‐COSI  CabrioFix  

BABY  BJORN  Miracle  Carrier  LITTLE  LIFE  Ranger  Carrier  NUNA  Sena  Travel  Cot  RECARO  Monza  Nova  

ORBIT  BABY  G3  ERGO  BABY  360  Carrier  Dusty  

SIGG  Kids  Bo^les  TRUNKI  Travel  Luggage  

BESAFE  iZi  Go  

BABY NURSERY  RED  CASTLE  Cocoonababy  

CHIICCO  Next2Me  MY  BOORI  Eton  Cotbed  

ADEN  +  ANAIS  Classic  Swaddles  MOBA  Moses  Basket  

SWEET  DREAMERS  Ewan  the  dream  sheep  FISHER  PRICE  Rainforest  Jumperoo  

TINY  LOVE  Gymini  Bouncer  JOHN  LEWIS  Spring  cot  ma^ress  THE  GRO  COMPANY  Grobag  

BATHING & BABY CARE  MUSTELA  Shampoo  

BABY  BJORN  Smart  Po^y  CUDDLEDRY  The  Original  Cuddledry  BRUSH  BABY  Chewable  Toothbrush  

GREEN  PEOPLE  Organic  Babies  Nappy  Baby  Balm  ANGELCARE  Soi  Touch  Bath  Support  

TOTS  BOTS  Bamboozle  Stretch  PAMPERS  Baby  Dry  Nappies  

TOMMEE  TIPPEE  Healthcare  Kit  WATER  WIPES  Water  Wipes  

HIGHCHAIRS  BABY  BJORN  AppeJte  BROTHER  MAX  Scoop  

MAMAS  &  PAPAS  Prima  Papa  MOUNTAIN  BUGGY  Pod  Portable  

STOKKE  Tripp  Trapp  COSATTO  Noodle  Supa  MOTHERCARE  Valencia  BABIES  R  US  Baby  Hi-­‐Lo  KNUMA  Connect  4-­‐in-­‐1  

IKEA  AnJlop  

BABY TOYS  JELLYCAT  Bashful  Bunny  

VTECH  First  Steps  Baby  Walker  GREAT  LITTLE  TRADING  CO  Noah’s  Ark  

MANHATTAN  TOY  Skwish  TOMY  Hide  ‘n’  Squeak  Eggs  

LEAPFROG  Shapes  and  Sharing  Picnic  Basket  FISHER  PRICE  Baby’s  First  Blocks  ORANGE  TREE  TOYS  Puzzles  

GUMMEE  GLOVE  Gummee  Glove  SASSY  Ring  O’  Links  

 BABY SAFETY  

LINDAM  Home  Safety  Kit  BINATONE  MOTOROLA  MBP36S  

BT  Digital  Baby  Monitor  350  Lightshow  ANGELCARE  AC1100  Monitor  

BABYMOOV  Premium  Care  Baby  Monitor  BROTHER  MAX    3  in  1  Touch  Thermometer  

BABY  DAN  True  Pressure  Baby  Gate  CLIPPASAFE  Safety  Starter  Pack  SAFETY  1st  Portable  Bedrail  

Philips  AVENT  Bath  &  Room  Baby  Thermometer  

PRE-SCHOOL TOYS  LEGO  Duplo  

LE  TOY  VAN  Sophie’s  House  MICRO-­‐SCOOTERS  Mini  Scooter  

ORCHARD  TOYS  Puzzles  LITTLE  TIKES  Cozy  Coupe  LEAPFROG  LeapReader  

ELC  Happyland  lii  off  rocket  INDIGO  JAMM  BriJsh  Classics  

HASBRO  Play-­‐doh  BRIO  Train  Sets  

 

FEEDING  MAM  AnJ  Colic  Bo^le  

PHILIPS  AVENT  Natural  Baby  Bo^le  MEDELA  Swing  EssenJals  Pack  

DR  BROWNS  Natural  Flow  Starter  Pack  YOOMI  Self  Warming  Bo^le  

TOMMEE  TIPPEE  Perfect  Prep  Machine  BÉABA  Babycook  

BABYMOOV  Food  Processor  VITAL  BABY  Weaning  Spoon  

NUBY  Sippy  Cup  

BABY FOOD  NANNYCARE  Follow  on  milk  APTAMIL  Follow  on  Milk  

COW  &  GATE  Follow  on  Milk  ELLA’S  KITCHEN  First  Tastes  ORGANIX  Finger  Foods  

HIPP  ORGANIC    LITTLE  DISH  Toddler  Food  COLLECTIVE  DAIRY  Suckies  

ANNABEL  KARMEL    INNOCENT  Kids  Smoothies  

 

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Daily Routine If  you  are  out  and  about  a  lot  then  think  about  a  lightweight,  compact  pushchair  for  the  busy  

spaces  you  might  find  yourself  in.  Unfortunately  someJmes  people  can  be  impaJent  with  you  so  bear  in  mind  what  your  movements  are  likely  to  be.  

___    

Try before you buy Take  the  pushchair  for  a  ride  with  all  your  belongings,  although  the  pushchair  may  be  light  at  the  beginning  once  you  have  your  handbag  and  other  items  on  it  you'll  get  a  clearer  idea  of  what  the  pushchair  will  feel  like.  You  can  always  scout  around  online  for  the  best  deal  later  when  at  home.  

___    

Think about your partner too Can  it  be  adequately  adjusted  for  more  comfort  if  he  or  she  is  significantly  taller  or  shorter  than  

you?  Remember,  they  will  also  be  pushing  it  from  Jme  to  Jme.  ___  

Storage areas If  you  carry  a  lot  with  you  or  do  a  lot  of  shopping  then  consider  the  size  of  the  basket  area  and  

how  you  can  get  clever  with  the  areas  of  the  pushchair  to  store  things.  ___  

Public transport If  you  use  public  transport  then  having  a  compact  pushchair  is  key,  otherwise  you  may  find  your  

self  unable  to  hitch  a  ride  at  all.  ___  

Bringing it home Consider  your  home  set  up,  if  you’re  on  the  top  floor  without  a  lii  then  there  are  obvious  challenges  but  also  check  your  front  door  size  and  where  you  plan  on  leaving  the  pushchair.  

___  

Don’t forget about your car Think  about  the  space  the  pushchair  takes  once  placed  in  the  car,  will  there  be  enough  room  for  

shopping  or  other  items  if  you  are  outbound  on  a  road  trip?  ___      

TOP TIPS

PUSHCHAIRS

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Don't buy second hand Of  all  the  things  you  might  consider  buying  second  hand,  this  is  definitely  not  one  of  them.  It's  a  bit  like  

not  buying  a  cycle  helmet  second  hand  -­‐  you  just  don't  do  it!  ___  

Buy according to your child’s weight

___  

Check that the fitting along with the harness is firm Watch  out  for  the  space  between  the  car  head  rest  and  car  seat,  you  might  need  to  remove  the  head  rest  to  ensure  it's  a  snug  fit.    You  should  be  able  to  get  only  two  fingers  between  the  straps  and  your  child's  chest.  They  will  undoubtedly  protest  over  the  Jghtness  as  they  grow  older  but  it'll  be  your  job  to  distract  

them  whilst  this  is  done!  ___  

Let them ride it out

You  don’t  need  to  change  your  car  seat  as  soon  as  you  think  plus  it  risks  more  severe  neck  and  brain  injuries  in  a  crash.  Car  seats  that  let  you  keep  your  child  rear-­‐facing  unJl  the  age  of  four  are  becoming  

more  common.  ___  

Get the most out of the Retailer

Please  speak  to  your  retailer  who  will  be  able  to  equip  you  on  all  the  things  you  need  to  know  about  car  seats.  Take  a  pen  and  paper  and  make  notes  and  consider  all  your  opJons.  In  most  cases,  they  should  be  

able  to  fit  the  car  seat  into  the  car  for  you  too.  ___    

TOP TIPS

CAR SEATS

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Create a mood board Have  a  brainstorm  exploring  themes  and  products.  Pinterest  is  great  for  this  and  you  can  very  quickly  collect  a  dozen  images  which  will  excite  you  and  sJr  the  emoJons  in  preparaJon  for  the  li^le  one.  

 ___    

Plan Whichever  furniture  pieces  you  choose  will  mainly  depend  on  the  size  of  your  nursery.  Consider  all  your  pracJcal  challenges  along  with  any  limitaJons  on  budget  and  space.  Think  about  the  long  term  

plans  for  the  room  as  well,  which  will  impact  on  how  adaptable  you  want  the  room  to  be.  Take  measurements  and  create  a  floor  plan  to  take  with  you  on  any  trips  to  retailers.  

___        

Key pieces   You  might  like  the  idea  of  coordinaJng  all  your  furniture,  or  choosing  two  or  three  key  pieces  such  as  drawers,  a  wardrobe  and  a  changing  unit.  ConcentraJng  on  key  pieces  first  is  a  good  idea  as  there  will  

be  opJons  and  flexibility  with  other  things  such  as  paints  and  wallpaper  for  example.    ___      

Space to move around Seems  like  an  obvious  point  but  make  sure  you  have  enough  space  in  the  nursery  to  walk  

around  otherwise  you  will  be  constantly  bumping  into  things  and  sneaking  into  the  room  quietly  won't  be  as  easy  as  you  would  like.  

 ___      

Storage is key  You’ll  be  surprised  how  many  things  are  needed  at  the  beginning,  and  with  constant  changing  of  clothes,  you  will  want  to  have  everything  stashed  away  nicely  to  give  you  easy  access  on  demand.  

___    

Think about safety It  is  best  to  posiJon  the  cot  around  a  safe  zone,  away  from  windows,  heaters,  wall  decoraJons,  cords  and  lamps.  Once  your  baby  discovers  their  inner  adventurer,  the  climbing  and  clambering  will  begin,  

make  sure  the  cot  is  away  from  surrounding  furniture.  ___    

TOP TIPS

BABY NURSERY

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Consider your space If  you  choose  to  get  a  bathtub  remember  they  do  take  up  a  lot  of  space.  There  is  always  the  opJon  of  having  

a  baby  bath  seat,  which  doesn’t  take  up  much  space  and  the  baby  feels  comfortable  as  well  as  secure.  ___      

Warm room and water Make  the  bathroom  or  room  nice  and  warm,  newborn  and  babies  can  get  very  easily  cold.  Make  the  water  

warm  before  you  put  them  in,  and  don't  let  the  water  run  whilst  the  baby  is  in  the  tub.  ____      

Pay attention Never  leave  your  baby  unsupervised,  even  for  a  moment.    Gather  all  you  need  such  as  a  towel,  clean  

nappy,  clean  clothes  and  anything  else  you  may  need  in  advance.  Keep  at  least  one  hand  on  your  baby  while  they  are  in  the  water.  If  the  phone  rings  it  can  wait,  otherwise  if  its  important  grab  your  baby  in  a  towel  and  

take  him  with  you.    ___      

Be playful Bath  Jme  is  a  great  Jme  to  interact  with  your  baby,  so  choose  toys  to  keep  them  busy  as  it  may  be  that  your  

baby  doesn't  enjoy  the  water  at  first,  but  don't  worry  they  will  soon  grow  out  of  that.  ___      

Post bath relaxation Choose  a  lovely  massage  oil  for  aier  the  bath,  it  will  relax  the  baby  and  also  act  as  a  great  way  of  taking  out  any  extra  gas  in  case  they  have  some  colic  irritaJon.  Rub  gently  and  bring  their  legs  towards  their  tummy.  

___      

Be patient and stick to routine As  with  most  things  with  parenJng,  rouJne  is  key  –  it    makes  for  a  calmer  baby  and  calmer  parent.  It  may  seem  as  though  your  efforts  are  in  vain  but  soon  enough  they  will  begin  expecJng  and  respond  wonderfully  

to  the  sense  of  comfort  the  end  result  offers.  ___      

Let the skin breath Puung  the  nappy  on  too  Jght  can  stop  the  skin  from  breathing  and  restricts  air  circulaJon.  Leung  baby  go  

nappy  free  is  someJmes  a  good  idea,  it’s  not  only  fun  to  watch  but  is  good  for  their  skin.  ___  

TOP TIPS

BATHING & BABY CARE

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Keep baby bottles clean Baby  bo^les  and  teats  should  be  sterilised  every  Jme  you  use  them.  Newborns  are  parJcularly  vulnerable  

to  bacteria.  Some  bo^les  offer  self-­‐sterilisaJon.  ___      

Anti-colic bottles It  would  be  a  good  idea  to  consider  these  if  your  baby  is  suffering  from  colic  (uncontrollable  crying).  These  

bo^les  are  designed  to  reduce  the  amount  of  air  a  baby  takes  in  whilst  feeding.  ___    

BPA BPA  (Bisphenol-­‐A)  is  a  chemical  that  is  found  in    some  plasJcs.  It  is  believed  that  BPA  can  leach  out  of  Polycarbonate  plasJc  bo^les  into  baby’s  milk  and  cause  problems  such  as  diabetes,  breast  cancer  and  

hyperacJvity  in  the  baby’s  adult  life.  Its  best  to  chose  products  that  are  cerJfied  BPA  free.  ___      

Sippy cups A  great  way  to  encourage  independence.  As  they  grow  they  want  to  become  more  like  us  so  why  not  

encourage  them  to  drink  by  themselves  from  their  own  cup.  Some  children  may  take  a  while  before  taking  to  a  sippy  cup  but  introducing  different  types  and  styles  may  do  the  trick.  

___    

Gadgets It  is  important  to  give  baby  and  you  a  comfortable,  uninterrupted  moment  together  to  get  the  most  of  out  feeding.  Think  about  Jme  and  energy  saving  gadgets  like  breast  pumps,  bo^le  prep  machines  and  food  

processors  for  later  down  the  line.  Such  gadgets  can  make  life  a  lot  easier.  ___  

TOP TIPS

FEEDING PRODUCTS

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The BabyfoodMaker that wantsthe best for youBABYCOOK®

The appliance for steaming, mixing and heating tasty, healthy meals for baby in no time at all.

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Lifestyle There  is  a  style  and  design  that  matches  all  tastes  however  consider  your  home  seung  and  whether  you  

would  want  a  seamless  addiJon  of  a  highchair  to  the  table  seung.  ___      

Space If  space  is  Jght,  you  will  need  to  consider  how  wide  the  legs  spray  out  and  whether  the  highchair  can  be  folded.  Some  high  chairs  require  the  tray  to  be  removed  before  folding,  which  is  somewhat  cumbersome  

if  you're  having  to  do  this  several  Jmes  a  day.  ___      

Features Think  about  all  the  adjustments  and  extras  –  it  can  make  mealJmes  a  lot  easier  and  simpler;  this  includes  

the  seat  height  and  tray.  ___      

Ease of use Experiment  with  the  tray  and  seat  height  and  other  funcJons,  making  all  the  adjustments.  You’ll  be  

repeaJng  these  acJons  regularly  with  a  wriggly  child  so  best  to  get  an  idea  early  on.  ___      

Easy to clean Mess  is  an  inevitable  reality  of  feeding  Jme  so  it’s  best  to  ensure  the  highchair  is  easy  to  clean.  Food  

geung  trapped  in  li^le  areas  may  result  is  an  una^racJve  and  unwelcoming  highchair.  PlasJc  parts  and  a  removable  seat  cover  are  things  to  think  about.  

___      

Think ahead If  you  are  spending  a  li^le  more  on  a  highchair  consider  a  converJble,  designed  to  grow  with  your  baby,  many  of  which  can  be  used  up  unJl  three  years  plus.  Some  brands  have  mastered  this  and  allow  you  to  

convert  the  highchair  into  a  snazzy  piece  of  dining  furniture.  ___      

Safety The  base  should  be  wide  enough  for  stability  and  never  placed  on  slippery  surfaces.  Make  sure  your  child  is  properly  strapped  in  and  supervised  at  all  Jmes,  prevenJng  them  from  standing  or  slipping  out  of  their  

high  chair  seat.  ___      

TOP TIPS

HIGHCHAIRS

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The Stages 0-­‐6  months  your  baby  only  needs  breast  milk  or  formula,  aier  6  months  your  baby’s  first  foods  can  include  mashed  or  soi  cooked  fruit  and  vegetables  (like  patato,  carrot,  apple  or  pear)  all  cooled  before  eaJng.  From  12  months  your  baby  will  be  eaJng  more  regularly  with  3  meals  a  day  so  by  this  point  you’ll  have  more  structure  in  place  and  can  have  your  

child  get  excited  by  the  meals.      

 Formula Avoid  overdoing  it  with  the  formula  powder  as  it  can  cause  consJpaJon  with  your  baby  and  never  warm  up  infant  

formula  in  a  microwave  as  it  can  heat  the  feed  unevenly  and  may  burn  your  baby’s  mouth.  ___      

Spoon to finger foods When  your  baby  begins  grabbing  the  spoon  as  you  try  to  feed  them,  it  is  a  sure  sign  they  are  ready  to  get  some  cutlery  of  

their  own.  Let  them  explore  this  as  you  get  a  break  from  fighJng  with  them  and  seeing  food  land  on  the  floor.  ___      

Start on solid foods (weaning) An  important  step  in  your  baby’s  development  and  great  fun  to  explore  new  flavours  and  textures  together.  Start  slow,  

worrying  less  about  how  much  they  eat  and  more  about  geung  them  used  to  the  idea  of  eaJng.  ___      

Present choices Empowering  your  child  with  choices  over  food,  plates,  cutlery,  bibs  etc  –  this  enables  them  to  feel  more  involved  in  the  

process  and  results  in  them  being  more  helpful  and  less  resistant.  ___      

Don’t worry about the mess It  is  fuJle.  The  more  you  try  the  messier  things  will  get  and  the  more  you’ll  have  a  nervous  li^le  one.  It’s  be^er  for  them  to  be  playful  with  food,  understanding  texture  along  with  taste,  flavour  and  smells.  Just  keep  some  Jssues  or  baby  wipes  

to  hand.  ___      

Go at their pace Let  them  take  their  Jme,  and  if  they  are  not  eaJng  as  much  as  you  would  like  or  have  started  to  play  at  the  table  then  

mealJme  is  over.  Don’t  get  stressed  over  it,  if  they  are  hungry  they’ll  eat!  ___      

Eat as a family If  possible  try  to  encourage  this  as  much  as  possible,  having  the  whole  family  on  the  table  encourages  social  skills  to  be  

developed.  It’s  also  a  good  chance  to  show  the  li^le  ones  how  to  eat.  ___          

TOP TIPS

BABY FOOD

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Age appropriate Always  select  toys  (and  check  they  are  playing  with  toys)  that  are  designed  for  their  age  group.  Pay  

a^enJon  to  any  safety  noJces  that  may  apply.  ___      

Stimulate the senses The  more  senses  they  can  use  when  playing  with  a  toy  the  be^er.  Don’t  forget  texture  along  with  music  –  

both  of  which  can  help  sooth  and  se^le  your  baby.  ___      

‘What’s in your mouth?!’ Most  toys  do  tend  to  end  up  in  your  babies  mouth,  so  do  look  for  toys  that  are  washable  or  include  non-­‐

toxic  informaJon  on  the  label.  ___      

Hand to eye coordination When  babies  start  to  sit  up  they  begin  developing  their  hand-­‐eye  coordinaJon  and  gross  motor  skills.  

Anything  that  can  withstand  some  banging  is  a  good  idea  and  think  about  toys  that  encourage  your  baby  to  stretch  and  reach  out  for  things.  

___      

Make a safe environment Consider  the  surroundings  and  ensure  a  safe  play  area  is  created.  Inspect  it  for  any  sharp  objects  and  

edges,  you  want  them  to  crawl  and  explore  safely.  ___      

Think small and large Mix  up  the  toys  to  include  both  small  and  large  ones,  the  variety  is  good  for  them  and  helps  with  their  

development.  ___          

TOP TIPS

BABY TOYS

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“Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to

remain an artist once he grows up.

- Picasso

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Creativity This  stage  of  a  child’s  growth  is  when  creaJvity  begins  to  blossom.  Art,  building,  crai  and  musical  toys  are  all  great  for  this.  It  is  worth  invesJng  in  such  toys  as  they  are  very  long  lasJng  and  you  will  get  lots  of  use  out  of  it.  

___      

Problem solving and motor skills Pre-­‐schoolers  are  curious  li^le  problem  solvers,  and  they  are  great  at  using  their  hands  to  figure  things  out.  

Puzzles  are  great  for  this  along  with  building  blocks.  ___      

Encourage pretend play Giving  toys  characters  and  talking  to  them,  acJng  and  dressing  up  are  all  very  imaginaJve  forms  of  play  and  

enhance  creaJvity.  Feelings  can  be  explored  along  with  the  development  of  language  skills.    ___      

Get them moving Anything  that  gets  the  energy  released  in  Jme  for  bed  will  be  of  great  value  to  your  much  needed  down  Jme.  Along  with  sports  equipment  try  out  a  bike  or  scooter,  they  will  spend  hours  in  the  park  chasing  you  and  their  

friends.  ___      

Teach mindfulness Teach  older  children  to  keep  their  toys  that  may  have  removable  small  parts,  sharp  points  or  toys  run  on  

electricity  out  of  reach  of  younger  siblings.  Young  children  are  very  curious  and  may  invesJgate  toys  that  aren’t  appropriate  for  them.  

___      

Tidy up time Teach  children  early  to  put  toys  away  when  they  are  finished  playing  with  them.  This  will  not  only  allow  them  to  begin  showing  care  for  their  precious  things  but  ensure  the  toys  last  longer.  and  of  course  prevent  accidents.  

___      

Get involved At  this  stage  geung  involved  is  easy  and  there  is  a  lot  of  fun  to  be  had.  Building  train  sets,  playing  football  in  the  park  and  compleJng  puzzles  are  a  great  way  of  bonding  whilst  ensuring  all  the  necessary  skills  are  being  

developed.    You  will  have  some  very  precious  memories  doing  this!  ___      

TOP TIPS

PRE-SCHOOL TOYS

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Cupboard latches Once  your  baby  begins  to  crawl  all  they  will  want  to  do  is  explore,  including  all  your  cupboards  and  drawers  so  

buying  clips  is  essenJal.  If  not  locked  away,  organize  and  clear  the  contents  of  your  cabinets  so  that  it’s  contents  are  at  the  highest  point,  out  of  reach.  

___    

Electrical Plugs Cover  all  your  electrical  plugs,  as  babies  begin  to  touch  and  explore  they  will  like  to  put  their  Jny  li^le  fingers  in  

these  very  dangerous  areas.  ___    

Mind the steps Safety  gates  are  a  must;  make  sure  you  use  one  at  the  top  and  bo^om  of  your  stairs.  You  may  also  like  to  use  

them  in  areas  where  you  wouldn’t  like  baby  to  go,  such  as  the  kitchen.  ___      

Give them a cupboard If  you  choose  not  to  put  latches  on  the  cupboards,  replace  the  heavy  saucepans  and  kitchen  utensils  with  plasJc  cups  and  plates    -­‐  you  will  be  surprised  how  long  they  will  spend  playing  around  the  cupboard  and  having  fun.  It  is  useful  to  remember  that  this  is  an  area  your  kids  see  you  accessing  frequently  and  thus,  of  

natural  interest  to  them.  ___      

Curtains and blinds Loose  string  and  cords  represent  a  suffocaJon  hazard  to  your  baby.  A  baby  can  easily  get  these  tangled  around  

the  neck  while  exploring  your  home.  Tie  them  up  at  a  height  that  is  out  of  your  baby’s  reach.  ___    

Portable bed rail If  you  are  travelling  with  your  kids  to  a  lovely  country  retreat  and  they  don’t  have  a  cot  you  may  want  to  invest  in  a  portable  bed  rail,  these  can  be  easily  added  onto  a  normal  bed  where  your  child  will  be  kept  safe  unJl  he  is  

ready  to  move  onto  a  bed.  ___          

TOP TIPS

BABY SAFETY

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BEST OF BRITISH

COMING SOON…

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IF  IF  you  can  keep  your  head  when  all  about  you    

Are  losing  theirs  and  blaming  it  on  you,  If  you  can  trust  yourself  when  all  men  doubt  you,  

But  make  allowance  for  their  doubJng  too;  If  you  can  wait  and  not  be  Jred  by  waiJng,  

Or  being  lied  about,  don't  deal  in  lies,  Or  being  hated,  don't  give  way  to  haJng,  

And  yet  don't  look  too  good,  nor  talk  too  wise:    

If  you  can  dream  -­‐  and  not  make  dreams  your  master;  If  you  can  think  -­‐  and  not  make  thoughts  your  aim;  

If  you  can  meet  with  Triumph  and  Disaster  And  treat  those  two  impostors  just  the  same;  If  you  can  bear  to  hear  the  truth  you've  spoken  Twisted  by  knaves  to  make  a  trap  for  fools,  

Or  watch  the  things  you  gave  your  life  to,  broken,  And  stoop  and  build  'em  up  with  worn-­‐out  tools:    

 If  you  can  make  one  heap  of  all  your  winnings    

And  risk  it  on  one  turn  of  pitch-­‐and-­‐toss,  And  lose,  and  start  again  at  your  beginnings  And  never  breathe  a  word  about  your  loss;  

If  you  can  force  your  heart  and  nerve  and  sinew  To  serve  your  turn  long  aier  they  are  gone,  And  so  hold  on  when  there  is  nothing  in  you  Except  the  Will  which  says  to  them:  'Hold  on!'  

 If  you  can  talk  with  crowds  and  keep  your  virtue,  '  Or  walk  with  Kings  -­‐  nor  lose  the  common  touch,  if  neither  foes  nor  loving  friends  can  hurt  you,  If  all  men  count  with  you,  but  none  too  much;  

If  you  can  fill  the  unforgiving  minute  With  sixty  seconds'  worth  of  distance  run,  Yours  is  the  Earth  and  everything  that's  in  it,  And  -­‐  which  is  more  -­‐  you'll  be  a  Man,  my  son!  

 -­‐  Rudyard  Kipling

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