Category: Preschool

Your baby’s safety is no longer confined to just the physical environment. In these times, as technology advances, ensuring your child’s safety online is equally important. From managing screen time to safeguarding personal information, the digital age has introduced a new layer of parental responsibility.

Making informed choices when purchasing baby products can complement a secure home environment, helping you create a space—both physical and digital—where your baby can thrive safely.

Understanding the Risks of the Digital Age

The digital world gives parents and their children access to valuable resources simultaneously. Among the dangers facing children on the internet are cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and predators. Babies may not use the internet, but they still encounter possible digital dangers from being given mobile devices, videos, and toys. As a parent, your main goal is to protect your children from risks that can appear online.

Parents today should make the most of technology when it comes to protecting their children in the online world. Using devices with babies and toddlers is challenging, as they come across infant videos and child-oriented applications. Learning activities on the internet can expose your child to inappropriate things, ads, and pop-ups.

The Establishment of Digital Limits for Your Baby

Setting up clear digital rules from the start is a strong way to keep your baby safe online. Those using parental controls should know how each tool works to use them properly. Applying child-friendly modes, blocking apps you do not want your child to access, and ensuring safe browsing are essential ways to protect your child online.

Your baby should use electronic devices only up to a certain amount while developing. According to experts, children under two should only watch videos on screen when talking to someone online. Parents should ensure their children over two use screens in small amounts and spend time on other activities. Parents need to ensure that the videos their children watch fit their age bracket. Online streaming platforms have special sections for children that air educational programs that are safe for them.

The Selection of Safe Products Becomes Essential for Your Baby

Parents should pay attention to the safety of digital and physical products when getting baby products. Children’s product safety is not given the same attention as quality, as most parents only focus on how safe a product is when making a purchase. Good baby items should provide safety and comfort, which parents should try to find when buying. When choosing baby products, look for good functions and strong protection features that suit your child well.

Strong frames, safety harnesses, and sun protection systems are important features to look for in a baby pram. Having a safe pram helps parents feel comfortable, freeing them to focus on other parenting matters.

The Role of Education and Awareness

In addition to selecting good technology, parents should educate themselves in online child protection. You should keep updated on new digital child protection, including programs and apps for keeping your child safe online. Many websites and parenting blogs share up-to-date advice on keeping children safe online.

Parents should educate themselves and also lead by example when using technology. Your child will notice your actions with technology as they get older. Showing your children how to handle online strangers and what not to share will help them stay safe as they mature.

Conclusion

Parents today must look after their babies in both digital and physical areas. You can protect your baby healthy at home and safe online by deciding on the right limits, finding the best products, and guiding your child on how to stay safe online. Setting up appropriate rules helps parents use technology safely with their kids.

Teaching young children is about more than just imparting knowledge; it is also about fostering their growth and development. The role of hands-on activities in early education engages children in tactile, experiential learning. With these activities, educators can create environments that nurture development in multiple areas.

Explore how these activities help your students, great examples to use in your classroom, and how to easily incorporate them!

Boosts Cognitive Growth

Hands-on activities let children actively engage with their environment. This helps develop cognitive skills such as memory, attention, and problem-solving.

Manipulating objects, such as blocks or puzzles, helps students learn through trial and error. This experiential learning fosters a deeper understanding than passive instruction. For instance, sorting objects by size or color introduces patterns and strengthens early math and reasoning skills.

Supports Social Skills and Emotional Growth

Collaboration and teamwork are key to hands-on learning. By encouraging students to use their hands, you give them the chance to develop essential social and emotional skills.

Group activities like crafting art projects or building towers encourage communication, patience, and conflict resolution as children share materials. Hands-on learning also provides safe spaces for emotional expression. For instance, sensory activities like finger painting help children process emotions non-verbally, building resilience and confidence.

Nurtures Creativity and Problem-Solving

Creativity thrives when children have the tools to explore and experiment. Hands-on activities like crafting or building small structures help them think outside the box and solve problems in innovative ways.

For example, using ribbon to teach motor skills improves coordination but also encourages imaginative interaction with materials. By tinkering, questioning, and adapting, children develop critical thinking skills that last a lifetime.

Examples of Hands-On Activities

Educational toys enhance child development by fostering all the skills above. Plus, these activities don’t have to be complicated to be fun or educational. Here are a few more examples that blend play with meaningful learning experiences:

• Conducting simple science experiments, like making a volcano with baking soda and vinegar

• Going on a nature walk to collect leaves and rocks while discussing the environment and encouraging hands-on exploration

• Creating a sensory bin that students can sift and dig through

Bonus Tips for Incorporating Hands-On Learning

To get the most out of hands-on activities, here are a few strategies you can adopt:

• Choose activities that align with your lesson goals. Focus on how they can actively reinforce the concepts you’re teaching.

• Allow children the freedom to explore and problem-solve without too much interference. Observing their thought processes can provide valuable insights.

• Adapt activities to your students’ unique interests and developmental levels. If a student shows interest in a specific topic, incorporate it into future projects to maintain high engagement.

The role of hands-on activities in early education empowers young learners to explore, create, and engage with the world around them in meaningful ways. Start incorporating these approaches into your classroom today, and see the difference they can make in shaping confident, curious, and capable learners.

Tummy time is one of the most important activities you can do with your baby from day one. This simple practice of placing your baby on their stomach while awake and supervised helps build the foundation for all future movement milestones. From lifting their head to crawling and beyond, tummy time is where it all begins.

But here’s the thing many parents discover: not all babies love tummy time at first. Some cry, some fuss, and some plant their face firmly on the mat in protest. That’s completely normal! The key is starting slowly, staying consistent, and making it as enjoyable as possible for your little one.

Remember, just like with other sensory activities, your baby needs to be the active participant. They’re not just lying there—they’re working hard to lift their head, push up on their arms, and explore their surroundings from this new perspective. For more on how tummy time fits into your baby’s overall sensory development, check out our guide on tummy time: when should baby start and why it is important.

Why Tummy Time is Essential

Tummy time isn’t just about building strong muscles (though that’s certainly important). This activity supports your baby’s development in multiple ways:

• Prevents flat spots on the back of baby’s head from too much back-lying
• Strengthens neck, shoulder, and core muscles needed for rolling, sitting, and crawling
• Improves motor skills by encouraging reaching and grasping
• Enhances visual development as baby learns to track objects from a new angle
• Promotes sensory exploration through different textures and surfaces

Without adequate tummy time, babies may experience delays in motor milestones or develop positional plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome). The good news? A little bit each day goes a long way.

When to Start Tummy Time

You can begin tummy time as soon as you bring your baby home from the hospital. Yes, really! Even newborns benefit from brief periods on their tummy. Start with just 3-5 minutes, two to three times per day, and gradually increase as your baby grows stronger.

Here’s a general timeline to guide you:

• ​Newborn to 2 months​: 3-5 minutes, several times daily
• ​2-4 months​: Work up to 20-30 minutes total throughout the day
• ​4-6 months​: Aim for at least 60 minutes total, broken into multiple sessions
• ​6+ months​: Your mobile baby will likely spend plenty of time on their tummy naturally!

Making Tummy Time Enjoyable

Let’s be honest—some babies think tummy time is the worst thing ever. But with a few creative strategies, you can turn those tears into smiles:

Start on Your Chest

Place baby tummy-down on your chest while you recline. This counts as tummy time! Your baby gets the benefits while enjoying your familiar smell and heartbeat.

Use Engaging Props

• Place a baby-safe mirror at eye level
• Arrange colorful toys just within reach
• Try a tummy time mat with different textures
• Use black and white cards for newborns who see contrast best

Get Down on Their Level

Lie on your stomach facing your baby. Make silly faces, sing songs, or just chat. Your presence makes everything more fun!

Try Different Surfaces

• A firm blanket on the floor
• A play mat with various textures
• Outside on a clean blanket (weather permitting)
• On a yoga ball with your hands supporting baby (advanced move!)

Tummy Time Positions to Try

Not all tummy time looks the same. Mix it up with these variations:

1. Traditional Tummy Time
   Baby flat on their tummy on a firm surface. Place toys in a semi-circle to encourage head turning.

2. Tummy-to-Tummy
   Lie on your back and place baby on your stomach. Perfect for newborns!

3. Lap Time
   Place baby across your lap while you sit. Gently rub their back or play pat-a-cake on their bottom.

4. Carry Position
   Hold baby facing outward with one arm under their chest and tummy. Great for when you’re moving around the house.

5. Side-Lying
   While not technically tummy time, side-lying with support helps baby transition between back and tummy positions.

Troubleshooting Common Challenges

“My baby hates tummy time!”
Start with just 30 seconds after each diaper change. Gradually increase as tolerance builds. Try different times of day—some babies prefer morning tummy time.

“My baby just cries the whole time”
First, ensure baby isn’t hungry, tired, or need a diaper change. Then try the chest-to-chest position or use a rolled receiving blanket under their arms for support.

“My baby’s arms get stuck”
Gently help position their arms forward, elbows under shoulders. As they get stronger, they’ll learn to do this independently.

“My baby only turns their head one way”
Encourage head turning by placing interesting objects on their less-preferred side. If this persists, mention it to your pediatrician.

Safety First

While tummy time is safe and beneficial, keep these guidelines in mind:

• Always supervise—never leave baby alone on their tummy
• Use a firm surface (not beds or couches where baby could suffocate)
• Keep small objects out of reach
• Stop if baby falls asleep and move them to their back
• Avoid tummy time immediately after feeding to prevent spit-up

Growing Beyond Tummy Time

As your baby masters tummy time, you’ll notice exciting developments. They’ll start pushing up on their arms, pivoting in circles, and eventually rocking on hands and knees. Each achievement builds on the strength and coordination developed during those early tummy time sessions.

By around 6 months, many babies no longer need structured tummy time because they’re rolling, sitting, and exploring on their own. But those early months of practice remain crucial for setting the stage for a lifetime of healthy movement.

Remember, every baby develops at their own pace. Some take to tummy time immediately, while others need more encouragement. Stay patient, keep it playful, and celebrate small victories. That first head lift, that first push-up, that first reach for a toy—these are the moments that make all those tummy time minutes worthwhile.

Your consistent effort in providing tummy time opportunities gives your baby the strong foundation they need to explore their world with confidence. So spread out that blanket, get down on the floor, and enjoy watching your little one grow stronger every day!

Related Reading

Nourishing your baby – a guide to the best start in life.
How to clean and sanitise baby toys.

Music holds a lot of power in child development. That’s why many children’s songs and age-appropriate activities involve music. It can do even more when you incorporate melodies into lessons for preschoolers. The right songs can boost a child’s IQ, improve communication, and make them happy.

Using music in preschool education can be easier said than done sometimes. Not every method works on most kids. However, these examples may effectively teach and encourage love for music in children.

Create Musical Morning Routines

Children, especially younger ones, thrive on routines. Following predictable activities helps kids feel more secure and teaches them structure. If your preschool class already has daily routines, adding a few melodies could engage the kids more.

A customized ‘welcome’ song is a fantastic musical activity to start the day. It doesn’t have to be fancy. A simple melody with understandable lyrics is enough. Why not include each child’s name in the song or mention the day of the week to make it more personal to your class?

You can also pair music with the kids’ daily tasks. A song for each activity turns a mundane drill into an exciting learning opportunity.

For parents, you’d want only the best for your children. Many early childhood education centers are great, but consider a daycare that includes music in its curriculum. Music as a separate subject and an element of everyday routines creates structure and makes kids feel included.

Use Songs for Storytelling

Songs have always been part of storytelling, and for many ancient societies, music was the only mode of relaying tales. Keep up the tradition by combining stories and music—two things kids enjoy.

Music in preschool education through stories makes the experience more engaging. For example, when reading ‘The Three Little Pigs’, sing repeated lines or assign each pig a specific sound. Why not turn classic fairytales into simple musical numbers? Give each child an instrument to play during their designated character’s parts, so everyone has a role.

You can introduce sing-along books if you’re not musically adept as a teacher. Many nursery rhymes, like ‘There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly,’ come in book form. Sing along as you read to the children and encourage them to follow your lead. It’s entertaining, but it’s also critical to a child’s language development and cognitive skills.

Turn Lessons into Musical Games

Have your kids been uninterested in their lessons lately? Boost their enthusiasm by turning class sessions into musical games! Many catchy songs teach preschoolers about numbers, colors, and shapes. Some even teach basic science concepts.

Try a game where kids walk in a circle while a song plays—like musical chairs. Then, when the music stops, let them answer a color-related question. Another activity is playing a ‘count and clap’ rhythm game to practice children’s number sequencing.

Call-and-response songs work well, too. They teach kids how to listen, memorize, and participate while reinforcing classroom topics. These games are fun musical experiences that form connections between learning and movement.

Explore Feelings Through Music

If there’s one trait most young children share, it’s the inability to express emotions appropriately. That’s why some have tantrums when they encounter a stressful event.

Music is a gentle tool for helping kids understand and regulate their emotions. In fact, the emotional benefits of music are so well-researched that it’s even incorporated in therapy for all ages.

Introduce songs about different feelings, like the ever-reliable ‘If You’re Happy and You Know It.’ As you play or perform the song, ask questions such as, ‘How does this song make you feel?’ or ‘Can you show me a sad face as we listen to this slow song?’

To encourage healthier emotional regulation, set up a ‘feelings corner.’ Add soft music and calming instruments like chimes and rain sticks in this spot. Children can visit this corner when they need to calm down or express themselves. This classroom spot gives them an outlet for their emotions safely and creatively.

Incorporate Music in Art and Movement Projects

Songs are flexible enough to be paired with other activities kids love. You can find music in preschool education integrated with art subjects and even PE, helping develop coordination in kids.

Play different tunes while the children paint or draw and see how they affect their choices. Fast-tempo songs might inspire them to make bolder strokes and use vivid colors, while slow ones could lead to softer patterns.

Any physical activity is also a great match with music. Dance songs shine here, with classic melodies like ‘Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes’ teaching kids about their bodies. If you can, choreograph a dance based on themes like seasons or farm animals. Ensure the dance is simple so the kids can follow it, enhancing their motor skills through every step.

Encourage Child-Led Music Creation

You don’t always have to be the one making all the plans. The kids might have wonderful ideas for playing around with music. Encourage them to make their own! Have some simple musical instruments ready or craft them.

Some DIY instruments include paper plate tambourines, plastic spoon maracas, and straw pan flutes. Afterward, watch the children proudly show off their creations and musical talents.

Guide your preschoolers through group songwriting sessions, too. For instance, ask them to help you create new lyrics to familiar songs or write a song about a topic. This opportunity unleashes their creativity and refines their cognitive development and language skills.

Conclusion

Music in preschool education doesn’t have to be a separate subject. You can effectively incorporate it into everything you do in class. When done right, it could become a vital element in the development of children.

So, fill the silence with sounds! The kids will love learning even more when you pair fun music with lessons and chores in the classroom.