Creative Steps

Some of our subscribers have been with us since we launched Creative Steps in 2006 (thank you!) and will have seen our sons as models in the earlier issues – cherubic faces and pageboy haircuts! Time passes and they are now in their twenties – one studying hard at university and the other, post-degree, now making his way in the music industry. Currently on a sold-out UK tour, performing at festivals this summer and has recently had a number 1 album… Proud Dad moments indeed! With the coming summer months, many of you will be bidding fond(?) farewells to some of the children in your care or settings and will, no doubt, be feeling similar ‘proud parent’ emotions as they head off to new adventures. The kids may not realise…

aden & anais Activity Gym aden + anais, is a global babycare brand widely known for its iconic muslin swaddles, feeding, sleeping and bath time ranges. With an array of eye-catching designs to suit every taste, aden + anais has attracted a celebrity following, with fans including Beyonce, Sienna Miller and Charlize Theron to name just a few. Even a newborn Prince George was spotted in aden + anais’ Jungle Jam swaddle and more recently, Molly-Mae Hague’s daughter was seen lovingly wrapped in a swaddle from their Harry Potter collection, sending Instagram into an excited frenzy! In recent years the brand has extended its offering to include a range of playtime products aimed at enhancing parent and child experiences. First came the baby bonding playmat featuring our favourite jungle jam…

WIN! ORCHARD TOYS Hungry Little Penguins - RRP £12.00 Collect colourful fish, but watch out for the seal who wants to steal them! A fun penguin themed game with 2 exciting ways to play for even more fun. Can either be played as a collaborative game where children play together against the seal; or as an individual lotto game where players must race to fill their board first! My First Snakes & Ladders – RRP £12.00 A perfect introduction to board games for younger players! Featuring chunky and durable playing pieces, ideal for little hands, whilst the spaces are large and visible for children of all abilities. This classic family board game helps to develop counting and gameplay skills. Little Bug Bingo – RRP 6.00 This colourful mini beast bingo…

LEARNING ZONES: Expressive Arts & Design ★ Understanding the World ★ Physical Development 3D Flower Card STORE CUPBOARD ■ A4 white card ■ Purple, yellow & green card ■ Purple tissue paper ■ Green paper straws ■ Sticky tape ■ White Paper ■ Felt tip pens ■ Glue ■ Scissors ■ Pencil or pen 1 Fold the A4 white card in half and put to one side. 2 Draw 4 small hearts onto the purple card. Cut out the hearts and glue them together so they look like a flower. 3 Take the yellow card and cut out a small circle. Make small cuts around the outside of the circle to give a feathered effect and glue onto your flower. Stick a small tissue paper ball in the middle and…

STORE CUPBOARD ■ Pencil ■ Scissors ■ Paper ■ Magazines or newspapers ■ Coloured card ■ Glue stick 1 Write your message on a piece of paper to show which letters you need. Cut out individual letters from old magazines, newspapers or comics for the message on your card. Larger letters from headings, titles and advertisements are ideal. 2 Arrange the letters on a folded background card, check they’re in the right order then stick them down. 3 Cut or tear magazines into strips to make borders then stick them onto the card. HINTS & TIPS ■ A cut out banner helps the lettering stand out clearly. Cut out the finished message with a border around the letters then stick it onto a folded background card. OTHER IDEAS ■ For…

We all love being outdoors; it has a positive effect on our emotional and mental wellbeing – great benefits for both children and the adults who care for them. Children love music; research shows us the incredible benefits of regular music-making opportunities for the development of children and adults and their wellbeing – so combining the two means we can harness more benefits, for everyone involved! PACEY has partnered with Boogie Mites to bring you some ideas and inspiration all around outside musical play. Music Circle Time Circle time music activities can be for big pre-school or nursery groups or small home learning groups. Indoor, circle time musical activities are a perfect way to boost attention, listening, following a leader, language, self-expression and groups skills – such as prosocial behaviour…