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Rory at Hamelife demonstrates a further ten signs including book, shop and bank.

Between 12-18 months children will begin to understand turn-taking games (nursery & school guide 06-07)

Starting with the easiest, here are some turn taking game suggestions;

Roll the Ball

Take turns roling the ball back and forth.

Catch

Once you’ve mastered ‘roll the ball’ try gently throwing the ball.

Snap

Take turns to lay a card until a match appears and someone shouts “snap”

Hide and Seek

Take turns to hide while the other one ’seeks’.

Pairs

Shuffle cards and place face down, take turns to reveal two cards at a time. Try and make a pair, if you get lucky, take another turn.

Photo by flickr user StubbsUk

I used Erin’s sterilizer tub, filled it with water and a variety of toys; a spoon, paintbrush, ball, tub etc….

Remember to use a waterproof sheet…..

Right: Erin sitting in a pool of water after tipping the tub up

Ahhh Vtech and leapfrog, my favourite toymakers of the minute.

The Vtech Sort and Soar Rocket was given to her by nana. Essentially its a shape sorter game but with many added extras. For example it moves up and down or ’soars’ like a rocket. The button at the top enables the soaring and cleverly releases the shapes for the game to begin again. Each time a shape is correctly placed it triggers a song, number, shape word etc, this depends on what setting you have it on, of which there are five.

I like the fact it has the five settings, this lengthens its longevity. At the moment we have mainly had it on the music setting as Erin’s current party trick is to dance and clap when she triggers the music. As she gets older we’ll definitely utilise the numbers and shapes settings too.

Overall I thinks it’s a good value toy, which provides plenty of gameplay, and most importantly Erin loves it. 4/5

Buy Vtech Sort & Soar Rocket

I’m a big fan of toys with longevity. Of the toys Erin has she always comes back to the balls, a plastic ball pool ball, a soft jingly ball, and a McDonalds Happy Meal football!!

This post about dads spending time with their kids during the holidays caught my eye whilst perusing this weeks’ carnival of family life.

The importance of ‘daddy time’ is very well documented and any father worth his salt will want to spend time with their kids, however, could it be that some dads lack the creative spark or imagination or even knowledge to know what their kids will enjoy and what activities are most age appropriate.

1. Swimming

Babies through to teens they all love swimming. Cheap and fun its always a good option especially in the winter.

2. Bake Cakes

This isn’t as complicated as it sounds if you buy a box which provides you with cake mix, icing, and decorations…in fact all you need is an egg and some water and you’re cooking (literally!)

3. Trip to the Park

Ideal for toddlers through to primary age kids, great for letting off some steam (and giving mum a break!)

4. Imaginitive Play

Horsee and aeroplanes for babies, cops ‘n’ robbers and cowboys ‘n’ indians for preschoolers. These games are imaginitive games. Experts say that in todays society of computers and tv imaginitive play needs to be especially encouraged.

5. Skittles

Skittles is suitable for toddler and primary age children.

6. Ice Skating

In most big cities there is a winter wonderland with an outdoor ice rink, a real treat for primary age right through to teens.

7. Make a Den

Dads are best at making dens so I’m not going to offer any so-called advice here

8. Make Gunge

Dads will enjoy this one just as much as the kids!

9. Baby Ball Pool

This one is great for babies.

10. Check Out Kids Websites

Surf the net for websites for kids. Here is a good place to start.

11. Make a Happy Sun

An easy craft project, suitable for toddlers and preschoolers.

12. Make Chocolate Fondue

Suitable for toddlers, preschool and primary age children. Yummy!

13. Ice Cream Collage

Another easy craft activity, suitable for toddlers and preschoolers.

14. Exploring Textures

Babies can be difficult to entertain but this usually keeps them amused for a while.

15. Hand and Foot Printing

Messy but fun. Suitable for babies through to preschoolers and maybe a little bit beyond.

16. Play Doh

Easy to set up and easy to clear away. Toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy the most.

17. Christmas Shopping

18. Buy Tree/Decorations

19. Paper Flower Collage

Suitable for toddlers and preschoolers.

20. Baby Games

Easy games that babies really enjoy.

Empty Cotton Reels

Small Plastic Bottles
Minus the lids!

A Small Tupperware Tub
We use one of Erin’s weaning tubs.

Scraps of Textured Fabric
Tin foil can be fun too, although beware of tin foil disappearing into the mouth, a tin foil ball is fun.

Spoons

Doll’s Cup and Saucer

Wooden Bricks

Egg Cartons

Ball

Photo by flickr user Potatojunkie

When it comes to pregnancy, birth and therafter everyone has some piece of advice for you. Here are the pick of the (large!) bunch I was given.

1. Buy more vests and babygro’s than you think you’ll need.

2. Take baggy pyjamas and big knickers to hospital, especially if it’s a c-section.

3. If bottle-feeding, have at least 6 bottles, preferably nine.

4. Buy a microwave sterilizer, they can’t break.

5. The first few months will fly by, make the most of it.

6. Don’t be too proud to accept hand-me-downs.

and the stuff that nobody told me, but I wish they had…

1. Take more nappies and babygros and vests to hospital than you think you will need.

2. You never get time to scrapbook the pictures, so don’t start

Photo by flickr user o-mer

How quickly time flys when your parenting, love this post from Adventures in the 100 Acre Wood.

Dried Apricots

Erin loves these as they are sweet and chewy, I need to keep an eye on her though as she trys to stuff them right into her mouth.

Scotch Pancake

Again with a thin spread of butter this make a great mid morning snack.

Toast Fingers

We usually have granary bed and top with butter or jam.

Organix Crunchy Stix

These are great for on the move, and seem to be the favourable option of ‘crisp’ type snack.

Cucumber Sticks

I like these as alternative teether toys, cooled they provide relief and the right amount of give, and if a bit drops off….a healthy snack!

Dried Pineapple Ring

I bought these at a farm shop but they are available at wholefood stores too. As Erin chews the pinepple rehydrates and becomes a naturally sweet chewy snack.

Chunk of Apple

Simply peeled and rinsed, a chunk of apple is healthy and keeps her busy for a while.

Biscuit

Erin likes ginger flavour ones, these are a rare treat due to the sugar content, needless to say they are well received

Melba Toast

This was a Granny one, melba toast with a thin spread of butter, apparently she loved it.

Cow & Gate Cheese Biscuits

On their own or with a cheese dip. Yum!

Photos by flickr users R@punseLL and bee-side(s)