In any of the games we played or when learning something new, whenever my little one’s got frustrated at not being able to do something, I would always calmly explain there’s no need to get cross if you can ask for help. Gellibaff - we had a lot of fun with this during an afternoon bath in lockdown, I’ve got some slimebaff to try too. Switch off the telly or any distractions and just have a little chat about all the lovely things they will do at school. All the little moments we spent playing five minute games, or reading with him, slowly but surely building the blocks have lead to this.

In Time For School, Daisy will walk you through what is really expected from your little ones in their first years at school, and, with her simple to set-up easy, fun five-minute method, help you support them at home without tearing your hair out or wanting to bang your head against the kitchen table. Those five minute games we played for 6 months to support Ewan’s reading didn’t seem to make any instant difference. If you walk, point out things you see that will still be there come September so that they feel familiar.

There will be things in school with their name written on just for them like their peg, so it’s lovely for them to spot this. We went with the MATHS chapter as it is full of so many games and is the most straight forward chapter to follow without reading the rest of the book! During those first few weeks show them how to empty their school bags, put their shoes and coat away and bring you any letters they got to bring home.

If you’d rather hear me chat through these ideas than read the article below then here is a video of me talking through all things starting school - WATCH HERE. Read a starting school book together - now obviously I’m going to recommend my own one (blow my own trumpet much? Turn up to the school gates with snacks as they are always ravenous after a day at school, and a little boost goes a long way during those first few months when they come home utterly exhausted from all the information overwhelm and sensory overload.Every day I said ‘wow you’re getting closer’ and ‘I love how you always give it a go before asking me’ and one day he did it and his elation was just wonderful to see! Now you might have thought at the beginning of this post that there was going to be a lot more about introducing the alphabet and numbers in these top tips but there aren’t for a reason. She's managed to come up with a huge array of activities for kids that are fun and educational yet don't require an Art degree or Diploma in Patience to execute. I come up with easy games and activities for little kids aged 1 and up, that take five minutes to set up (which means they also take five minute to clear away again - hurrah). From topics such as how to encourage water safe play to how to make baking or crafting quick and easy (and slightly less messy!