Parent Advice Feed
Encouraging healthier options to tackle childhood obesity
Childhood obesity rates are rising in the UK leading to potential health problems for these children in later life. Preventing this is now an important public health issue and the Government’s approach has been two-fold: prevention policies, and...
Understanding the needs of children in the care system: part 2
In the second of our series looking at the challenges faced by children in care, we offer some practical advice on how best to meet the needs of these children. Ways to help children in care Communication with the foster family Foster...
Safer Internet Day
Tuesday 5th February 2019 is this year’s “Safer Internet Day” and will be celebrated by hundreds of organisations, schools, colleges and pre-schools around the world. The aim is to raise awareness of the benefits and risks posed by the internet,...
Understanding the needs of children in the care system: part 1
In the last year, there were 2.4 million calls to children’s services because of concerns about a child – a 78% rise over 10 years. More serious investigations (where a child is at risk of significant harm) are up 178% and there are now 75,000...
Can you help treat SAD in children?
Summer is definitely behind us. Unfortunately, as the seasons change, so can some people’s emotional states. Sunshine gives us a dose of essential nutrients that we often struggle to receive from food alone, which helps healthy cell and bone...
Dealing with children’s food allergies in your setting
The recent tragic death of teenager Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who died after suffering an allergic reaction to a baguette, highlights the dangers that people who suffer with severe allergies face on a daily basis. For some, everyday food choices...
Encouraging children to sing
Why sing? Singing is one of the most joyful activities we can do. Helping children to develop their own voices is a great way for early years practitioners to support the growth of confident, self-assured and creative young people. 1....
‘Gender-equal play’ needs to be promoted by childcare providers
A new campaign has been created to raise awareness of and promote “gender-equal play” in childcare settings. The Care Inspectorate - which inspects registered childcare providers - stated that the guide was brought in because “childhood and play...
How sport helps children with anxiety
From the outside, toddlers seem like they don’t have a care in the world. However, did you know that children as young as two can experience anxiety? Fortunately, practicing a sport during their early years will benefit them greatly from this...
Should kids be taught personal finance in school?
For many of us, school feels like a distant dream of days spent with friends, doodling on notebooks and complaining about homework. What do we really remember from those long days spent in the classroom? As a child, lessons on personal finance -...
Practical and fun ways to help nature in winter
Winter is a great time for children; with snowmen, snow angels and those lovely, crisp, winter walks to look forward to. But winter can also mean a life-and-death struggle for much of our British wildlife, as food sources become scarce and the...
International Volunteer Day
December 5th is designated as International Volunteer Day (IVD). Established in 1985 by the United Nations, it aims to celebrate the power and potential of volunteerism around the globe and mark the contribution that volunteering makes to...
Children’s snacks and healthy eating – how to have both at the same time!
Parenting and looking after young children, can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to feeding them healthy food when ‘junk food’ is often a popular trend. Which child would prefer eating mashed peaches when there’s delicious...
New survey reveals worrying parental-knowledge gap regarding child seat safety
New research from the RAC has revealed that the majority of parent drivers are unaware of the rules concerning child car seats and may inadvertently be breaking the law. The survey, of more than 1,000 UK parents with children aged under 10,...
Do you live in one of the UK’s most family-friendly cities?
How did you decide where to settle down with your family? For some, the decision can come easily, perhaps you have strong family ties to an area or fell in love with the city you went to university in. For others, it can be a long process and...
Top 10 messy play ideas
There’s nothing kids love more than getting their hands dirty. Not only is messy play bound to be your children’s favourite kind, but the sensory experience it extends can encourage learning in a truly unique way. Put a tarp down in your lounge...
The behaviour trick I learnt from children with autism that works for my own child
The summer holidays are long and this year they’ve been especially hot. During the holidays, many parents spend more time than usual with their children. This is wonderful as they get to make precious memories together, but it also comes with...
How do you teach your children emotional intelligence?
Being parents to a toddler is already a difficult task and teaching him or her emotional intelligence - that’s a whole a new ballgame. One moment you see him crying in rage, and the next minute you see he’s throwing a tantrum and hurling toys...
The ultimate stain removal guide by Muddy Puddles
Sensory play is an extremely important stage in a child’s development – they need to touch, play and explore their surroundings in order to learn and use their imagination. However, sensory play can get very messy; from endless spills, muddy...
Common questions from parents about apprenticeships
What should I do after school? Is an apprenticeship right for me? What are my options? These are just some of the dilemmas which anxious school leavers face year on year. As a parent of a child in this situation, you’ll also have your own...
Help your child find the right apprenticeship for them
An apprenticeship – combining work and learning – is not an easy option. Your child will not only be proving their worth in the workplace, but they’ll be expected to manage their time to study alongside their working hours. However, doing an...
Are you holding back your child’s career by giving out-of-date advice?
Research from the Association of Colleges (AoC) suggests that 70% of children turn to their parents for careers advice. However, earlier research from AoC confirmed that parents aren’t confident about their knowledge and ability to give this...
5 ways an apprenticeship plays to your child’s strengths
Considering what to do after school will be one of the most important choices your child makes, and is the first step on their journey to finding a career they’ll love. However, going to university or staying on for 6th form isn’t for everyone....
Top tips to help your child pass their apprenticeship
Taking on an apprenticeship is an amazing opportunity for your child; however it can be daunting in the beginning when they’re trying to balance their course with their day to day role. So we’ve put together 7 tips to help you support your son...
Supporting your child with the transition from school to work
Children are now legally allowed to leave school at 16, if they’re progressing on to an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are a great way for your child to get some first-hand experiences of the working world, without all the pressure of being an...
Why your child might be better suited to apprenticeships rather than university
Leaving school poses lots of questions about what to do once exams have finished and lots of children feel pressured into applying to university. But does your child need a degree to be successful? Entrepreneur and owner of SJD Accountancy,...
Supporting your child with resitting their GCSEs
Ensuring your child has the right GCSEs for their chosen career can be tricky; especially if they didn’t achieve them at school. Your child’s future job could be determined based on these grades as a C or above in GCSE Maths and English is...
Are apprenticeships a better route to employment than university?
Research from think-tank the Sutton Trust has revealed that those who graduated from English universities last year owe an average of more than £44,000 under the £9,000 fees regime. With no guarantee of a job after graduating and the potential...
Bedtime routines that really work – advice for your parents
Having a bedtime routine is key to helping little ones sleep well. By creating a bedtime routine, you give baby a cue that lets baby know that sleep is near. It helps baby unwind from the day, change gears, relax and calm, and prepare for sleep...
A parent’s guide to childcare apprenticeships
As a parent, you want to make sure your child gets the best possible start in life. You want them to have a career where they are happy and fulfilled, earning a regular wage, and with options to progress in the future. We have put together this...