Collecting for keeps, it fills me with joy, I’d say I’m actually obsessed but I’ve begun to feel increasingly uncomfortable with the need I have for keeping what I’ve collected. So I’m curious to hear your thoughts on this. Why do you keep what you’ve collected? A while back I asked you when you were out exploring if you collected any natural treasures and then kept some. Everyone who answered said that they did. In anticipation of my collecting obsession that I seem to have

The dictionary describes PLAY as “to engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose.” Well yes I guess you could describe PLAY this way but when children PLAY it actually shapes their brain. I’d say that was pretty serious. Put it this way it’s certainly pretty serious if they don’t PLAY. The direct movements associated with PLAY mean that when children physically PLAY, when they move and jump and run and adapt their PLAY, repeat t

The MORE we do something the MORE it becomes second nature meaning we build a fundamental connection that becomes deep rooted, even necessary to our existence. When our brains make repeated new connections, the cells actually create new pathways to make space for this information. So the MORE you do something the MORE your brain is actually growing. Physical movements play a huge part in developing neurological pathways. A baby songbird is not born with the ability to sing. F

We had a right old shouty, screamy sing a-long in the car today... We've been writing a new "Hooray for Spring' tune....E wants to include a verse about Easter... I'm not sure... Anyway here's how it goes, to the tune of the Wheels on the Bus... Sing at the top of your voice... Enjoy! Spring is in the Air! Spring is in the air so shout "Hooray" Shout "Hooray", shout "Hooray" Spring is in the air so shout "Hooray" All day long. Catkins on the tree go swish, swish, swish Swish,

Next time you visit somewhere that has a river or stream or a pond have a go at making a little boat. Find a flat piece of bark or a leaf, make a mast and find somerhing you like for cargo. It is great for understanding the current and flow of water, for balance and precision. Developing those fine motor skills and creativity and aids that all important determination. It doesn't matter how long it floats for, be prapred for it not to it's just about having a go and seeing

I love a good nature book, for me or the kids and I found this the other day 'Bug Detective', it's brilliant. It's basically fun facts about mini beatss that will make your little ones eye stand out on stalks and of course encourage lots of mini beast hunting which is THE BEST! 3 AMAZING FACTS SPIDERS often make a web a day so instead of wasting their old webs they eat them!!! Some ANTS herd caterpillars, just like a farmer herds cows. They take them out in the day to feed

We've all been sick with a horrid tummy bug and been cooped up in the house for days. E was back on form today and it was debatable if I should send him to school or not but I wanted him to have a full day eating properly and I wanted him to just relax. We spent a slow morning getting up and dressed, the kids were having such fun playing together. They really miss each other when he's at school. Then headed to the woods for what I thought would be a short time and that we wou