Top Tips for promoting independence
https://www.todaysparent.com/kids/teaching-kids-to-be-more-independent/
All posts by Mrs Findlay
Bug Hunt
A mini beast hunt is a great way for children to get up close to nature. It gets them out in the fresh air, encourages them to use their observation skills, and it gives them a chance to get hands-on with wildlife. All in all it’s a great activity for your whole family to do together.
How does your Garden Grow?
You and your children can explore, investigate, plant seeds and grow a garden.
Easy seeds to grow
- Lettuce
- Beans
- Peas
- Radish
- Sunflowers
- Marigolds
- Nasturtium
Float or Sink?
Floating and sinking is fun for children to explore. It can be done as a bath time activity too. Ask your child if they know why an item sinks or floats. They might guess it’s because of size or weight or construction.
Torch Play at Twilight
Using torches are a great night time activity that your children will love so grab your torches and go…
Flashlight Dance Party
For even more flashlight fun after dark, throw a dance party. Parents know that sometimes the best kid-energy burner is to simply dance it off. Grab the flashlights and let the kids make their disco ball as they have their dance party. Crank up the tunes and watch the lights shine all around the room. This game is guaranteed to bring lots of giggles and exhaustion to your evening.
Scavenger Hunt
This is a fun flashlight game for older children or you can adapt the rules for younger children by making gameplay easier. Everyone needs a flashlight to play or players can be split into teams with each team leader given a flashlight. Hide items around the house or outdoors like a typical scavenger hunt and provide clues along the way. When it’s dark, let the kids use their flashlights to find their treasures.
Flashlight Limbo
How low can you go with this flashlight game? Instead of limbo with a pole, play limbo with a flashlight. Lower the flashlight after each round, just like a limbo pole. If your body breaks the beam of the flashlight as you pass underneath, you’re out.
Letter Spotlight
This is a fun one for kids just learning their letters. Buy small foam letters and put them in the spotlight during your flashlight fun. Have the kids look at the wall as you hold up a foam letter in front of the flashlight. The foam letter’s shadow will magically appear on the wall. The first one to name the letter wins the point.
Catch the Light
Kids love to watch the flashlight dart around the room. In this game, their goal is to catch the light. Move the light all around the room, including on the ceiling, the walls, and on the floor. At random times, stop the light. The kids are trying to catch the light so when you stop, they’ll all run to the light to try and stomp on it if it’s on the floor or jump for it if it’s on the wall.
Shadow Charades
If your kids know how to play charades, then they’re just about ready to play a game of shadow charades. It’s the concept of shadow charades meets shadow puppets. A parent can tell each child which shadow charade to act out. When the child’s turn, he or she stands at a wall in the dark with a flashlight. The child tries to make shadow puppets on the wall that reflect the word he or she has been given. Players make their guesses.
Let your Child’s Curiosity Soar as High as the Sky
Stargazing is a fantastic spring activity to do with your children. While sitting in the dark admiring the constellations can be a great experience to teach them a little about something bigger than themselves and the various constellations. Children love hands on activities which gives them a connection to what they are learning, so they can create their own constellations using simple sewing skills.
Loose Parts
Have you ever noticed, having spent a fortune on toys your child shows more interest in the box than the toy! Children love the sense of adventure and excitement when natural or synthetic materials are around them. Loose parts enhance children’s ability to think imaginatively and see solutions.
Here is a list of items you can use to encourage creative play and it doesn’t cost any money!
Here are some ideas using corks, bottle lids, glass jewels, wool and even cardboard cut in to various shapes that can be joined together.
Transient Art
Why not make the most of the time spent at home by using your garden or home to gather items to create art work. Transient art is a non-permanent, ever evolving process. When children work on transient art they manipulate, explore and experiment as they work individually or collaboratively.
The Great Outdoors!
There is nothing better than getting some fresh air with your wee people. Here is a fun idea while out in your garden. 
What can we do?
What can you do when you’re stuck indoors? Have a look at these fun ideas…
