Benefits Of Pretend Play For Preschoolers

Don’t dismiss pretend play for preschoolers or toddlers because it doesn’t interest you. This is a crucial part of learning for kids. Read this to understand how!

Your child constantly sees you completing mundane everyday tasks, but to them it is not boring jobs. To them you are doing amazing and complicated activities. They want to learn how to be as amazing as you and this is where the benefits of imaginative play begin.

How imaginative play improves child skills

Pretend play helps children of all ages improve skills they need later in life but because they can advance these talents through fun activities, they will enjoy it and continue to grow. Here are just some of the ways creative play can benefit your child:

• Encourages imagination – the ability to be creative and make up scenarios that can be acted out, allows children to not only be original but also permits them to express themselves in a way they feel comfortable whilst allowing their imagination to progress.

• Social skills – when playing in a group environment, pretend play encourages team work and cooperative behaviour. This is important for their basic social skills to develop and encourage flexibility with ideas.

• Thinking – this is relevant to social skills because when playing with others, not everything is going to happen the way your child expects or wants it to. This allows your child to problem solve and consider other possibilities to achieve a solution. This is often how they develop the skill to improvise!

• Inspires them – playing gives kids the ability to be whatever they want to be. They can be a fireman, astronaut, mum/dad, shop keeper and absolutely anything else that makes them happy! This joy and imagination stimulates their senses and encourages them to further explore possibilities that they previously hadn’t considered.

• Language skills – pretend play offers children the ability to improve their language skills by talking, listening and sharing their emotions. This is so important to the development of a child because it is something they will continue to use for the rest of their life!

Pretend play activities for toddlers and pre-schoolers

Children learn a great deal by simply watching how people around them interact. By mimicking common scenes they witness at home, they are enhancing their cognitive skills and developing behaviour that is appropriate later in life. While imaginative play is something children will learn to do on their own; you can certainly do things to further their interests. Many of which require minimal effort on your behalf!

• Designate room – not everyone has space to assign an entire room to pretend play but most can reserve at least a corner. This is a great idea if possible because it gives your child the space they need to pretend. By filling ‘their area’ with old containers, a bench or table with a sheet over it, boxes, old phones and even dress ups; it is ready for creativity.

The items in this area do not have to be new or costly! Your child will decide whether it is a kitchen, space station, shop, etc. and will ultimately make it whatever they want.

• If you have a new baby in the family, let your child help or copy you complete the parenting jobs. For example: if you are changing a nappy, let them also change their babies (aka doll) nappy or feed it when it is hungry. They want to be involved and are learning each and every time they pretend to be like you!

• If you are doing the washing, vacuuming, making lunches, gardening, etc. – LET THEM HELP!

• Play with them – if they want to play doctors, be the patient. If having tea parties, drink the tea. Place your order and let them bring you your food. Let them be the mail lady. Whatever the situation is – ENCOURAGE IT and BE EXCITED with them!

Childhood is full of learning and development. There are so many options that allow kids to learn while having fun; for more ideas on how you can get involved with imaginative play (click the link).

It is critical to a child’s progress that they are encouraged every day; so make pretend play for preschoolers important to you too.

How do you encourage pretend play for preschoolers and toddlers in your home?

This is an S1 POST in collaboration with Child.com.au.

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When babies start eating on their own finding quality eating implements that are easy for them use is priority number one. There are so many options available and it can often get confusing. There are non-slip, suction, characters and the list goes on. What works for your little one may be different to what your friends child prefers but if you are aware of some of the options available it makes purchasing easier. Poppet has been using the BabyBjorn Plate and Spoon for the past couple of weeks and it is fantastic. I am a huge fan of BabyBjorn products, not for their well-known brand but because of their amazing quality.

The BabyBjorn Plate and Spoon is suited from 4 months and will be used for years to come. The plate sits firmly on the table eliminating the usual tipping of food everywhere. The three leaf clover design allows the food to be easily scooped up without your little one having to chase it around the plate and will have a better chance of using their spoon rather than their hands. The spoon is perfect for little hands; it has a short handle making it easy for little hands to grip. Tailored to rest on the side of the plate instead of sliding into the food, this spoon is ideal.

Underneath the BabyBjorn plate you will find rubber edging that prevents it sliding off the table. I love that the BabyBjorn plate and spoon are dishwasher and microwave safe, these are a must in our house. They are also BPA free and so far the white hasn’t stained at all, even after eating spaghetti bol. These wonderfully designed BabyBjorn plate and spoon sets are sold in a pack of 2 and are available in 2 colour options (each plate is a different colour); orange/turquoise or pink/purple. For more information on these gorgeous sets click here to see the BabyBjorn website or to see where they are available from see the stockists here. 

Disclosure: I received one of sets mentioned above for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

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Anyone with little kids knows that it isn’t always possible to take a pram with you. Often prams and strollers don’t even fit down isles at the shops so you will need another option. Baby carriers are a great alternative as you have the privilege of having two spare hands. It isn’t a common choice for parents with children older than one though as most carriers only cater to the needs of infants and more often than not parents aren’t aware that there are convertible baby carriers that satisfy the needs of newborns up to approx. 3 year olds. When we go away for a night or two camping or exploring somewhere new the last thing we want to take is a pram and will always opt for a baby carrier, just in case. Poppet is one year old and I have always thought she was too big to be carried in a carrier until we got the BabyBjorn WE; it is a 3 way front and back carrier. 1. Optimal newborn position: this carries your baby high up on your chest and has adjustable head support to ensure stability for your baby. 2. Inward-facing comfort: This is ergonomically designed for both you and your growing little one. 3. Easy back carrying: you can put your toddler (min. 12 months) on your back in one safe and simple motion without assistance.

BabyBjorn WE

The BabyBjorn baby carrier WE has been a life saver these school holidays as we have been fishing, camping and experiencing a night in a cabin at a Big 4 holiday park. We have done so much walking and this carrier has made it hassle-free. Poppet has been able to enjoy the sights and activities while on the move, as well take comfort in not having to walk her little legs kilometres at a time. We started her with the inward-facing carrying as she was tired and she fell asleep almost instantly. She appeared to be so relaxed and comfortable. Once she woke, we were still out and about so swapped her to the back carrying position and she loved being able to look around and see everything. It is basically like a piggy back but I have 2 free hands! Poppet has also slept in this back carrying position on more than one occasion.

I love that it is so easy to swap positions of carrying and that the straps are adjustable enough that I can swap over with Mr C with minimal fuss and it only takes a few seconds to re-adjust the waist belt and shoulder straps to fit you comfortably. The sturdy waist belt and well-padded shoulder straps allow carrying your child in as much comfort as possible. The waist belt enables you to transfer the child’s weight to your hips to relieve pressure on your back and shoulders. Another benefit to the BabyBjorn WE baby carrier is it rolls up small making storing or keeping it with you on the go a breeze. The clips also have a safety click so you know when they are clipped correctly. For more information on the BabyBjorn WE including the stockists check out their website here.

PRIZE INCLUDES: 1x BabyBjorn WE baby carrier. RRP $150.00 *Black, Cotton*

**As the winners are chosen based on skill and not chance; you will be sharing for 0 extra entries however I’d love you to share the giveaway with friends and family. Sharing is caring and karma loves kind people. **

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If you want to enter more giveaways click over here.

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When all 3 of my kids were babies they used sleeping bags instead of blankets, the idea of loose blankets and sheets worried me because they all moved a lot when they slept. Actually Poppet is probably the worst of the 3 because she is now 15 months old and still moves from one end of her bed to the other numerous times throughout the night, because of this I cannot see blankets making their way to her bed in the foreseeable future. This is why I am so grateful for brands like aden+anais that cater to children like mine. Having the option of great quality sleeping bags that are large enough to fit a 1 year old with room to move her legs and remain comfortable at night is wonderful and now that the night are warming up, Poppet is enjoying the luxury of her aden+anais classic sleeping bag.

The 100% cotton muslin 0.6 TOG sleeping bag is thick enough to keep her warm but light enough that she can wear her pyjamas underneath. The quality is exactly as you would expect from aden and anais and the classic sleeping bag range offers a wide selection of prints. I love that the arm holes are wide and the zip is nice and hidden. They are very generous sizes as well so your little one will definitely get a decent amount of use from them!

If you are planning on attending the  Baby & Toddler Show in Sydney this weekend (26-28 September) make sure you stop by the aden+anais stand (stand E2) and check out their superior range. Unfortunately I won’t be able to make it this time so say Hi for me when you see them.

aden+anais sleeping bag and swaddles

2x PRIZES UP FOR GRABS – open to Australia and New Zealand

Prizes includes: 1x aden+anais classic sleeping bag (RRP $36.32)  OR 1x aden+anais classlic swaddles pack (RRP $45.41). Winners selects size and prints. See prints here. Total prize pool: RRP $81.73.

**As the winners are chosen based on skill and not chance; you will be sharing for 0 extra entries however I’d love you to share the giveaway with friends and family. Sharing is caring and karma loves kind people. **

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you are wanting to enter more giveaways click over here.

Disclosure: I received the an aden+anais classic sleeping bag for the purpose of this review.

All opinions are my own.

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Like all kids, mine love adding new toys to their collection. It is Poppet in particular this time as LeapFrog have added a few fantastic new products to their range that are perfectly suited to her. She has been playing non stop with 2 toys in particular – the Roll & Go Rocking Horse and the Mobile Med Kit which appears to be her favourite. Check out some of the new LeapFrog toys below.

 New LeapFrog toys

Roll & Go Rocking Horse

Designed for children 6-36 months this is a great product for developing gross motor skills and encouraging bub to crawl or move. The LeapFrog Roll & Go Rocking Horse features fun light and sound effects so every time it is rolled the lights blink and plays funny horse sounds, songs and rhymes. Each time bub touches the horse or pushes its saddle it plays short phrases like ‘Let’s go on a ride together!’ which provides exciting ways for the children to interact. I love that there are 3 volume options on the Roll & Go Rocking Horse; OFF, Quiet (which as an adult is easy enough to tune out) and of course Loud (which isn’t overbearingly loud). RRP $24.99 ea.

Mobile Med Kit

While this toys is recommended for 2+ years my 1 year old absolutely loves it! With the push of the siren button, sounds and lights will be activated to let everyone know there is an emergency and your little one is on the way with the Mobile Med Kit. It is an exciting way to combine learning with play. Included with the med kit is a stethoscope, otoscope, thermometer and syringe for authenticity and so your child can perform pretend check ups. When the Mobile Med Kit is rolled it plays phrases that teach your child about the body and sings songs like ‘Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’. A fantastic option for role-play, learning and lots of fun!  Just like the Roll & Go Rocking Horse, it features the same wonderful volume options. RRP $34.99 ea.

2x PRIZES UP FOR GRABS

Each Prize contains: 1x LeapFrog Mobile Med Kit. RRP $34.99 each. Total Prize Pool: $69.98

**As the winners are chosen based on skill and not chance; you will be sharing for 0 extra entries however I’d love you to share the giveaway with friends and family. Sharing is caring and karma loves kind people. **
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If you are wanting to enter more giveaways click over here.

Disclosure: I received the above items for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

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I have previously mentioned on the blog how shows from my childhood are making a comeback and I am now watching my children enjoy the same TV shows. Everything from Power Rangers and Smurfs to Ninja Turtles. As a child Ninja Turtles was one of my absolute favourite shows. Seriously how could it not be? They were awesome! Which is why I’m pretty excited by a toy that is out just in time for Christmas. The heroes in a half shell have gotten a makeover and have combined forces with Pillow Pet to create a wonderful snuggly pillow Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. They are available in all 4 turtles; Dontallelo (Purple), Leonardo (Blue), Raphael (Red) and Michaelangelo (Orange). As you can see my daughter loves the Leonardo pillow pet and will more than likely fight her big brother for it who is getting it for Christmas. It is so soft and cuddly though so I don’t blame her for loving it. You can find them at BIG W, Target, Toys R Us, Toyworld and online at www.mypillowpet.com.au. Cowabunga Dudes!

Something for the littlies? Well how about some gorgeous plush bumblebees from the ABC kids show The Hive. For those who haven’t heard of it – The Hive is focused on real life situations that happen every day like being friendly, spending time with family, playing and discovering the world. There are 4 of these cute and cuddly characters available; Barnabee, Buzzbee, Rubee and Postman Spider. I love how they are brightly coloured and each have their own little personality about them. You can find them in Myer, Toyworld and ABC stores with pricing starting at $9.99. There’s a Buzz Buzz Buzz in the hive!

Disclaimer: I received a pillow pet and 2x plush bees to write this review. No money was exchanged. 

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Healthy eating for babies, toddlers and children is a massive topic of discussion at the moment and has been for the past few years. Bellamy’s Organic has heard mothers asking for more pure products for their babies and have delivered. Bellamy’s Organics are a family operated Tasmanian business that started in 2004. They are the only certified organic brand that offer a 100% Australian made babies’ and childrens’ range from birth. They are 100% certified organic by NASAA.

Their range is quite extensive and has something to suit everyone – formula, milk drinks, cereals, fruit snacks, porridge, pastas and the new range of ready to serve pouches. The pastas were a big hit with my kids; my 4 year old who isn’t a big fan of vegetables didn’t even realise the alphabet pasta or macaroni were made from vegie goodness! He thought they were delicious and what kid doesn’t want to eat pasta in the shape of different letters?

 The dried fruit were also a big hit for school and snacks during the day. They are made with 100% Australian fruit, no added sugar and packaged in convenient resealable pouches. The fruit sticks (organic pinkies) were also very popular among the young ones that frequent our home.

I cannot really fault Bellamy’s Organic products at all especially when they offer so much goodness for babies and children around Australia. Bellamy’s Organic products can be found in Coles, Woolworths, Big W, Chemist Warehouse and Toys R Us. They can also be purchased online and delivered to your door.

GREAT PRODUCTS THAT ARE GREAT FOR OUR KIDS!

Have you found a new brand of product that are healthy for your kids that you just love?

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You may remember last month I reviewed a great selection of the Tommee Tippee Toddler Feeding Range products; well now I am giving away 5x Toddler Feeding Packs!!

That’s right you can win some of the great products I have showed you over the past few weeks. These products are great quality and a must have for any toddler. So if you have a baby, a toddler or know someone who does get your entries in to win!!

I have 2x pink, 2x green, 1x blue set to giveaway.

Prize value per winner: $57

Total Prize Pool: $284

Each prize will contain:

1 x Tommee Tippee Heat Sensor Weaning Spoons pack

1 x Tommee Tippee First Solids Bowl

1 x Tommee Tippee Stickee Bowl

1 x Tommee Tippee discovera Trainer Cup

1 x Tommee Tippee Comfy Grip Fork & Spoon

 To enter all you have to do is follow the instructions on the rafflecopter below. 

Winner is decided based on skill and chance plays no part. 

**The mandatory instructions MUST be completed or your entry will be void!**

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GOOD LUCK!!

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I don’t know about anyone else but when my boys were babies they were eating solids (well puree) by about 4 months. They were very hungry babies and enjoyed trying many different flavours.

I don’t know if baby #3 is going to be same but whether she starts eating early or the average age I will be prepared with the Tommee Tippee feeding range. Their innovation has no limits and is shown in the following products.

First Solids Bowl – This bowl is the perfect size for your little ones first feeding requirements. It has an easy grip handle for parents (left and right handed), it has an anti-spill lid that is great for storage and travelling. It has also got 2 separate compartments so you can store different foods at the same time or have variety while feeding. BPA free!
RRP: $11.95

Stickee Bowl – This is great for when they show an interest in feeding themselves or you just want that extra security in knowing they won’t spill the food everywhere. It also comes with a looped spoon for ease of use when they feed themselves. When my boys were little we tried suction bowls with no luck however this design is taking things to a whole new level, the bowl clicks into the base so it won’t move when your bub holds the side of the bowl and the best bit is they are very easy to clean. It has an anti-spill lid for travel and storage.  BPA free!
RRP: $13.95

Heat Sensor Spoons – These spoons are great for new parents who are unsure how hot/cold to have babies meals. The tip will turn white to indicate when food is too hot! The tip of the spoon is flexible and soft to be gentle on sensitive gums and the handle is long enough that you can easily reach the corners of jars. BPA free. 4x spoons per pack.
RRP: $9.95

Comfy Grip Fork and Spoon – Designed for when your little one is interested in feeding themselves, the wide scoop tips make it easy for bub to bring them to their mouths. The curved and cushioned handles are designed for little hands in mind. BPA free.
RRP: $7.95

Discovera Trainer Cup: This 260ml non-spill and shake proof cup is designed for 6 months+. It has a soft spout for easy drinking while remaining versatile, the spout top fits all Miomee bottles. BPA free!
RRP: $12.95

What feeding item is your must have for bubs?

Disclaimer: I received the above items to review. All opinions are my own.

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