
Birthday Party games
Birthday parties can be expensive and they can also get out of control very easily! Should you let them play freely? Or should you organise games? Should you book a playcentre? Or do it at home? Well, with our experience...
Children are naturally curious. When they are growing up, they just want to learn, they want to figure out how things work, how the world is made, who they are, how they were made, who their friends are, why some things roll and some others don’t… Why? Why? Why?
We (adults) might have some of the answers, or all of the answers depending on the questions, but is it good to give them the answer? Maybe for some questions, but it’s even better to LET THEM FIND OUT THE ANSWER! Encourage them to research, to investigate, to figure things out by themselves. Learning how to learn is priceless.
Children can start investigating the world around them from a very young age. One of my favourite activities for babies and young toddlers to promote this kind of curious learning is creating TREASURE BASKETS.
What is a treasure basket?
A treasure basket is a collection of items that are related between them (could be similar purpose, similar colours, similar shapes, similar material…) all placed in a container (a basket preferably) so the child can use their curiosity as a motivation to explore the different items and build vocabulary and understanding around them by exploring and experiencing each item through their senses.
It is important that the actual basket is welcoming and sturdy to the touch.
Who is it for and what to put inside?
A treasure basket is suitable for all ages, you just need to adapt the contents to the needs, interests and developmental stage of the child / children that will be playing with it. However, treasure baskets are mainly used with babies and young toddlers, always using safe items appropriate to their age (making sure they’re safe to put in the mouth) and always under supervision.
You can create a treasure basket and let your child explore it until they no longer have interest in those items, you know then it is time to replace them. It is nice to create a treasure basket with items you want your baby to get familiar with (kitchen items for example when they start feeding themselves, or shower items if they don't really enjoy bath time, or beach items if you are planning a day out to the beach, or afterwards with items you have collected…).
You can also create a treasure basket once a month for example and explore some seasonal items (when autumn comes you could have pine cones, leaves, autumn vegetables, etc. Or in the summer you could have suncream, sun glasses, a rubber duck, a sandal… all themed items).
How to guide your child
What do babies learn with a treasure basket?
Types of treasure baskets:
BY THEME (here is a kitchen themed basket)
BY TEXTURE (here is a wooden items basket)
BY COLOUR (here is a blue items basket)
BY SHAPE (here is a square items basket)
Birthday parties can be expensive and they can also get out of control very easily! Should you let them play freely? Or should you organise games? Should you book a playcentre? Or do it at home? Well, with our experience...
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By Catherine Guilfoyle. Catherine is a mum of 3 (which automatically turns you into a play expert!). She is passionate about play and learns so much from observing her children and following their interests. She has a degree Early Childhood...
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