Being a Norland College student with a feeding tube

Author: Imi Giles, Set 40

My name is Imi and I’m a second year student at Norland College in Bath. I want to share my experience of being a higher education student with a feeding tube and the journey I have been on.

The Power of Hug

Katie Crouch, Early Years Consultant
Twitter: @crunchiekatie

Hugs and cuddles can mean so many things: a greeting, a farewell, an act of love or affection or a reassuring embrace. Hugging and cuddling our children is one of life’s pleasures which can often diminish in occurrences as the child gets older. As humans, we can instinctively reach out to those who are hurt or distressed to give them a hug and an emotionally sensitive hug can be an important part of social bonding. Hugging can bring joy and a sense of calm to both people involved in the hug and, of course, it is extremely difficult to give a hug without receiving a hug in return.

9 top tips for a stress free family Christmas

Claire Burgess, Head of Research, Consultancy & Training

Twitter: @belles28

Katie Crouch, Early Years Consultant

Twitter: @crunchiekatie

Christmas Day is the one day of the year which can be the most exciting day but also one of the most stressful. We all want the festive period to be one of fun, happiness and just like we see in the movies… however it doesn’t always turn out that way! In the same way that we are writing lists to make sure that we don’t forget anything and to help us to be fully prepared, we need to think about how we are preparing our children. We often think that children will just accept the changes and surprises (which can actually translate into shock for children) that the festive period can bring, but, very often, it can have the opposite effect to what we had planned.

The connection of communication

Katie Crouch, Early Years Consultant

Twitter: @crunchiekatie

Learning language and communication is an exciting journey, which children first embark upon whilst still in the womb. Through sounds, in our environment and our spoken words, children slowly begin to absorb the meanings of noises and verbal communications. Communication is a fundamental life skill, which we all need to connect us to our social world. We use connections to build relationships with others and in order to carry out tasks. Early childhood is widely seen as a critical period for forming language and communication strategies, and is therefore, a golden time for us to get to know our children and their developing personalities.

7 top tips for preparing you and your child(ren) for starting school

Claire Burgess, Head of Research, Consultancy & Training

Twitter: @belles28

Katie Crouch, Early Years Consultant

Twitter: @crunchiekatie

Traditionally, the first day of school tends to start with pictures of the little one(s) standing proudly, and nervously, in their brand new and immaculately pressed school uniform by the front door. These pictures help to form special memories and also mark a moment of reflection for the parent. For many, this moment can cause a flourish of memories of your past four, or five, years with your child(ren). Recollections flash by from pregnancy scans, first smiles, magical first steps to bumped knees. All of these emotions can be overwhelming and therefore makes it completely understandable that you and your child(ren) may be apprehensive about starting school. 

My first year at Norland is over

My first year at Norland is over

Author: Abi Kohen, Set 40

My first year at Norland College has come to a close. Despite the deadlines, learning to live independently and several cooking and sewing disasters later, I have to say it is a year I would happily relive all over again. I always knew the first year was going to be a huge and exciting learning curve, but nothing can compare to the invaluable knowledge and experience I have gained. 

Things to do during the Summer with 1-'2'-5 year-olds

Throughout 2017, our 125th anniversary year, we asked Norlanders, Norland students and staff to suggest activities for 1-'2'-5 year-olds. Here are their suggestions for things to do during the Summer months.

53. Go on a bug hunt, take a magnifying glass, turn over a log and see what you discover. This will encourage children to explore and investigate their world and a conversation about the needs of living creatures will further enhance their learning.

54. Take a trip to the seaside and explore the smells, sounds and sights. Collect pebbles along the way. Children learn by using their senses and the seaside is a wonderful place to stimulate that learning - especially when you add in ice cream! Sarah, Set 25

55. Practice pouring skills with sand, jugs and cups. Discuss full and empty. A simple fun activity which is easy to sweep up and good for fine and gross motor skills. Maria, Set 22

56. Number one... JUMP... Number seven... JUMP! Use coloured chalks to draw numbers onto a patio space. The caregiver shouts out a number and the child has to jump to that number as quickly as possible. Great for number recognition and physical development. Bliss, Set 32

57. Make a miniature fairy garden in a container using a mixture of items found out and about, such as tiny pebbles, fir cones, homemade clay, toadstools, miniature fairy tepees and washing lines. Great to stimulate a discussion about environments and to encourage role play and imagination. Louisa, Set 24

58. Make a lavender bag in the summer. Use the bag to prompt recall and discuss the scent. Lucy, Set 35

59. Prepare homemade lemonade on a warm summer's day. Helps children to understand the provenance of everyday drinks. Lucy, Set 35

60. Design butterflies from different materials. Creativity and imagination will be prompted. Lucy Draper, Set 35

61. Design a stage with a shoebox and narrate a story with toys. Perfect activity for storytelling and imagination. Helen, Set 30

62. 'Magic Painting': all you need is an old paint brush and water. Let the children paint outside on the patio and watch the paintings disappear. It's great for reinforcing letter and number formation with the older children and early discussions about evaporation. Quick hint - if a child has spent a while painting a picture make sure you take a photo so they can show the family later! Steph, Set 35 and Mel, Set 25

63. Assemble an aeroplane using cardboard boxes and some imagination. Then fly to your favourite destination around the house. The activity will prompt recall and imagination. Jemima, Set 13

64. Take a couple of pieces of chalk outside on a sunny day and draw each other's shadows. Great to prompt a discussion about the sun and why some shadows look bigger than others. Becky, Set 32 and Mel, Set 25

65. Pick your favourite doll, fill a washing bowl with bubble bath and water and wash with soap. After the doll is clean, dry the doll with a flannel. This activity can help with naming body parts and discussing water safety. Kathryn, Set 11

66. Combine corn flour and conditioner to make homemade playdough. Kathryn, Set 11

67. Mark out a maze with decorative tape. This activity helps with problem solving and concentration. Dorcas, Set 29

68. Revisit holiday photos and draw what you see in the pictures. This activity is great for discussion and concentration skills. Dorcas, Set 29

69. Practice the alphabet by drawing letters in sand trays. This supports children's fine motor skills as well as their letter recognition. Michelle, Set 26

70. Make a tie-dye top. A good activity for creativity and understanding the different effects that can be created. Francesca Thorn

71. Take pictures of butterflies on a walk and identify the different species online or in a book when you get home. Lisa Philpott

72. Plant flower seeds, wait patiently and measure as they grow. Helps children to understand the needs of living things and how to care for them. Susie Somerville

73. Create tissue paper flowers. Take two circular pieces of tissue paper, place one on top of the other using different colours. Screw them into a rose or flower shape. Attach a pipe cleaner to the base (doubled over for strength if needed). You can put them in a vase or tie them like a bouquet. Great alternative to real flowers and last forever! Kate Morgan

74. Practice washing up at the kitchen sink with a tea set. This activity is good for role play and fine and gross motor control.

75. Re-create a drum kit out of metal mixing bowls and wooden spoons. Then drum along to your favourite song. This helps children develop an appreciation for rhythm, as well as the development of gross motor skills.

76. Practice finger painting.