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The Joy of Learning Alongside Your Child

Sun, 01 Oct 2023 19:42:47 GMT

A Lesson in Bonding and Growth

As parents, we all want the very best for our children. We strive to provide them with a nurturing environment, quality education, and opportunities for growth. However, have you ever considered the numerous benefits of learning alongside your child? This isn't about just being a teacher; it's about becoming a fellow student. In this blog, we'll explore the incredible advantages of engaging in shared learning experiences with your young child.

1. **Quality Bonding Time**

One of the most precious aspects of learning alongside your child is the quality bonding time it creates. In a world filled with distractions, setting aside moments to learn together allows you to connect on a deeper level. Whether it's tackling a DIY project, cooking a new recipe, or exploring a new hobby, these shared experiences become cherished memories that strengthen the parent-child relationship.

2. **Fostering Curiosity**

Children are naturally curious beings. They have an insatiable desire to explore and understand the world around them. When you learn alongside them, you're not just answering their questions; you're showing them that learning is a lifelong journey. This fosters a sense of curiosity and a love for learning that will serve them well throughout their lives.

3. **Boosting Confidence**

Children often look up to their parents as role models. When they see you trying new things and learning, it instills a sense of confidence in them. They learn that it's okay to make mistakes, and that the process of learning is more important than being perfect. This confidence can be a powerful tool as they grow and face challenges in their own lives.

4. **Enhancing Problem-Solving Skills**

Learning together presents opportunities for problem-solving. Whether you're assembling furniture, solving puzzles, or navigating through a new game, you and your child are collaborating to find solutions. These problem-solving experiences can teach them critical thinking skills that are essential for their cognitive development.

5. **Teaching Perseverance**

Learning something new often comes with its fair share of challenges. When you learn alongside your child, you both experience the highs and lows of the learning curve. This teaches them the value of perseverance and resilience, qualities that will serve them well in school and life.

6. **Setting a Positive Example**

Children often imitate their parents' behaviour. By engaging in learning activities together, you're setting a positive example for your child. You're demonstrating that learning is not just for school but for life. This can have a lasting impact on their attitude towards education.

7. **Strengthening Communication**

Shared learning experiences provide opportunities for open and meaningful communication. You can discuss what you're learning, ask questions, and share insights. This strengthens your child's communication skills and also allows you to understand their thoughts and perspectives better.

8. **Creating Lasting Memories**

Some of the most cherished memories in a child's life involve shared experiences with their parents. Learning together creates lasting memories that both you and your child will look back on with fondness. These memories can be a source of comfort and joy as they grow older.

In conclusion, learning alongside your child is not just about imparting knowledge; it's about creating a bond, nurturing curiosity, and instilling important life skills. As parents who want the very best for our kids, let's remember that the journey of learning is a shared one. So, whether you're exploring the inner workings of a vacuum cleaner or embarking on any other learning adventure, cherish these moments and watch as both you and your child grow together, one lesson at a time.

Science Is Everywhere: Embracing Everyday Discoveries with Your Preschooler

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 19:04:31 GMT

As parents, we strive to provide the best opportunities for our children's growth and development. While formal education begins later, the foundation for learning is laid in the early years. Curiosity is a natural trait in young children, and nurturing this curiosity by incorporating science into everyday life can foster a lifelong love for learning. From sunrise to bedtime, science is all around us, waiting to be explored and discovered together with your preschooler. Let's embark on a journey of embracing science in the little moments that make up our days.

Nature's Wonders:

Nature is a vast playground of scientific marvels, perfect for young explorers. Take a walk in the park, and encourage your child to notice the colours of flowers, shapes of leaves, and different animal sounds. Observe birds soaring high in the sky, and wonder together how they can fly. Engage in simple experiments like dropping leaves from various heights to understand gravity or catching raindrops. These playful interactions with nature will ignite their curiosity, fostering a sense of wonder and appreciation for the world around them.

Kitchen Science Fun

Your kitchen is a treasure trove of science experiments waiting to happen. Cooking with your little ones can be both fun and educational. Let them mix ingredients to learn about mixing and blending. Introduce basic concepts like hot and cold while cooking or baking, explaining how heat transforms food. Conduct simple kitchen experiments like observing what happens when you mix oil and water to teach about density and immiscibility. Not only will they enjoy the tasty outcomes, but they will also love learning and questioning along the way.

Sensory Exploration

The world is full of sensory experiences, each offering a unique lesson in science. Set up sensory play stations with water, sand, mud, or even a bin of rice. Let your child explore these materials using their hands and senses. Discuss the differences in texture, colour, and even temperature. Engage them in activities like blowing bubbles and observing how they float or experimenting with floating and sinking objects in water. Sensory play is not only a fun and messy activity but also an opportunity for them to understand scientific concepts in an interactive and memorable way.

Science is not a subject confined to school textbooks; it is an integral part of our daily lives. Embracing science with your preschooler can be exciting and effortless. From observing the wonders of nature to conducting simple kitchen experiments and engaging in sensory play, you can provide endless opportunities for your child's scientific exploration. As they grow, these early experiences will lay a strong foundation for their future learning and encourage a lifelong curiosity about the world around them.

Let's empower our little ones to become curious thinkers and lifelong learners through the wonders of science! ��

But I'm No Good at Science! Can I Still Come?

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 22:00:38 GMT

Yes! And here's why...

Are you feeling hesitant about bringing your child to our science activity group because you believe you lack any prior knowledge of science? I understand your concerns, and I want to assure you that you are not alone in feeling this way. At Dinky Discoverers, I firmly believe that curiosity knows no bounds, and no prior science experience is required for either you or your child to embark on a thrilling journey of exploration and discovery together.

A Warm Welcome to All:

I wholeheartedly welcome parents of all backgrounds and experiences to join us at Dinky Discoverers. Our science activity group is designed to be a fun and engaging experience for both children and parents alike. I understand that many adults might not have had the opportunity to dive deep into the world of science during their school days, and that's ok! Our aim is to provide a comfortable and supportive environment where you can learn alongside your child.

Discovering Science Together:

At Dinky Discoverers, we celebrate the joy of learning as a family. Our program encourages parent-child interaction during activities, fostering stronger bonds and shared moments of awe and wonder. Together, we'll explore the marvels of our natural world, conduct exciting experiments, and unlock the secrets of science in an enjoyable and accessible way.

Embracing Curiosity:

Science is all about curiosity and asking questions. Whether you're a seasoned scientist or a complete novice, curiosity is the key to unlocking the magic of science. Our activities are designed to stimulate the inquisitive minds of both children and parents, promoting a growth mindset and encouraging a willingness to explore and learn from the world around us.

Learning at Your Pace:

I understand that each parent (and child!) comes with their unique set of interests and comfort levels. I guide you through the activities, ensuring that you feel at ease and engaged throughout the process. There's no pressure to be an expert, as we celebrate the learning journey itself. I often learn a thing or two from the kids at Dinky!

Building a Community of Support:

Dinky Discoverers isn't just a science activity group; it's a supportive community. You'll have the chance to connect with other parents who might share similar concerns or interests. Together, we create a nurturing environment where questions are encouraged, and everyone is cheered on as they make exciting discoveries.

So, if you've ever felt like you're "no good at science," do not fret! You are more than welcome to join the Dinky Discoverers group. No prior knowledge of science is required for parents or children. Bring your curiosity, enthusiasm, and willingness to explore, and together we'll embark on a rewarding scientific journey that will leave both you and your child amazed and inspired.

Come and be a part of Dinky Discoverers, where learning is a joyful adventure shared by all. Join us today, and let's kindle the spark of curiosity in your child's eyes—together.

See you soon,

Alice

Nurturing STEM Skills in the Early Years: Closing the Gender Gap

183:732137167 (Alice Curren) — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 21:01:51 GMT

After International Women and Girls in Science day recently I've been thinking about this a lot

As you know STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects play a critical role in shaping the future of our society and the economy. Yet, there is a persistent gender gap in STEM fields, with women underrepresented in STEM careers and fewer girls choosing to study STEM subjects ^* . To address this issue, it is crucial to start promoting STEM education in the early years.

The early years of a child's life are a critical time for brain development and for building a foundation for future learning and success. By exposing children to STEM subjects in their earliest years, we can help to develop their natural curiosity and problem-solving skills, and to foster a lifelong love of learning. This is particularly important for girls, who often face unconscious bias when pursuing STEM subjects and careers, but who have the potential to make significant contributions to these fields.

To support the development of STEM skills in the early years, it is essential to provide children with hands-on, engaging, and stimulating experiences in STEM subjects. This can include activities such as playing with building blocks and toys, exploring the natural world, and engaging in problem-solving activities. It is also important to provide girls with access to female STEM role models and to encourage them to participate in STEM activities and programs.

In addition to providing hands-on experiences, it is also important to promote a positive attitude towards STEM subjects and to dispel any gender-based stereotypes or biases. For example, by showing girls that STEM subjects are for everyone and that anyone can succeed in these fields, regardless of gender, we can help to build their confidence and to inspire them to pursue their interests and ambitions.

By starting early and by providing children with access to high-quality STEM education, we can help to close the gender gap in STEM and to ensure that all students have equal opportunities to pursue careers in these fields.

As early as primary school there is evidence of a gender gap forming in STEM subjects, and this is only caused by societal influence and unconscious bias as there is no inherent difference in the abilities of boy and girls in STEM.

Nurturing STEM skills in the early years is an investment in our children's future, and it is an investment in a brighter, more equitable, and more innovative future for us all.

It's my hope that Dinky can be part of this in your child's early years. And that I can be a postive role model for all children to see that women do STEM too.

* As of 2021, women represented only 28% of the UK's STEM workforce. According to data from the UK Department for Education, in 2020, about 40% of students taking A-level mathematics were girls. In subjects such as physics and computer science, the proportion of girls was even lower, at around 20% and 25%, respectively.

What is a Bee Bot?

183:732137167 (Alice Curren) — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 21:49:15 GMT

Now I’m not talking about some mechanical version of our much-loved honey producing insects, no. These are little programmable robots designed to look a bit like a cute bumble bee!

I thought Dinky was Science? What’s robots got to do with it?

Good question! Dinky aspires to cover the range of STEM topics which very much includes science, but you notice a healthy dose of maths and engineering in there too (the M and E). The T stands for technology, which in our weekly topics can be a bit harder to include…

Cue the entrance of cute bee bots!

Yes, these little characters are specifically designed for little hands and minds to use. They open up a world of screen-free, hands-on coding fun for our littlies!

We know that screens are a part of our lives, I’m writing this using a screen, you are reading this using a screen. But screens allow us to access so much that it can be quite distracting – I don’t just mean for our kids. (Yes I fall down numerous rabbit holes when on a screen as I’m sure you’ve experienced too!) As well as the distraction we know that prolonged screen time for young children is not great for their eye sight, social interactions and general wellbeing. I’m rambling on a bit (!) I’m trying to say it’s great that these Bee Bots offer us screen free coding as a fun first taster.

I bought these little cuties before lockdown and before I ever go to try them at Dinky, I found them invaluable during lockdown. We used them for all sorts of learning alongside coding and the best bit – the kids just thought they were playing having a great time!

The Bee Bots first involvement in a Dinky session was this week for World Science Day and they were so popular with both kids and adults! This has really spurred me on to revive my ambition to start a pre-schoolers coding course.

Would you be interested?

I have a 6-week course mapped out where we build the kids coding skills week on week. This would be aimed at 3+ years for the kids to get the most out of it.

Tell me if you’re interested and when you’d want the course to run so I can get it in my 2023 plan asap!

In the name of slime…

Sat, 29 Oct 2022 21:00:04 GMT

Love it or hate it, hear me out!

A few years ago, slime was THE thing, and whilst the craze has dropped off now, slime seems to be here to stay as a feature of kids play. Especially at this time of year when it lends itself to being spooky, ghoulish or just plain gross.

Most kids love it, lots of parents… well, not so much. I get where parents are coming from and I’m here to challenge that thinking!

So why is it loved by kids? Well, it’s interactive, highly tactile and it’s got the perception of being really messy. Perhaps one of the things kids love about it is that parents are not so enthusiastic?

But it is a “good” thing for kids to play with?

YES! Let me try to back up my answer. Sensory play is well known to be beneficial for children;

1. encourages the development of fine motor skills,

2. helps to build nerve connections in the brain,

3. helps develop and enhance memory,

4. great for calming an anxious child,

5. supports language development and problem-solving skills.

Great, you might think, but sensory play can be a lot of things – what makes slime so good?

Admittedly I have a science bias… but I think slime is extremely interesting as a medium. Not that it’s always easy to explain that to the kiddos, however the process of making slime is simple enough that they can (and should!) get involved in it.

When you start making your own slime you open up so many possible ways to tweak your slime – giving you loads of potential sensory experiences. The best sensory experiences involve multiple senses so touch, sight, sound, taste or smell. Slime offers all of these, though not necessarily at once!

· Make scented slime, lavender to calm, or citrus to awaken are just two possibilities. Use essential oils or simply add some cocoa to try chocolate scented slime!

· Make slime bubbles to give your slime a strangely satisfying crackle and popping noise as you play with it.

· Give it a different texture by adding shaving foam or clay.

· Add to the visual interest by using some colour changing pigment!

· Make taste safe slime – perfect for those who use taste in every sensory activity.

I mentioned that sensory play can develop problem-solving skills and I think this is an area where slime excels itself. It brings an additional dimension due to its non-Newtonian behaviour – that is it behaves both like a liquid (under low stress) and a solid (under high stress). The way it stretches and flows allows for set ups such as:

· Slime races – holding two or more slimes above a table, watch to see which slime stretches all the way to the table first. No breaks allowed! Extend this by setting a challenge to make the stretchiest slime to win the race.

· Slime windows – stretching the slime so thin that you can see through it. No breaks or holes allowed!

· Slime balloons – use a straw to inflate your slime! How big do you think it will get before it pops?

· Melting figures – can you build a character out of slime before it melts? My favourite go-to for this is melting snowmen with white slime and a few buttons for coal eyes!

So that’s why I think slime is awesome. But let me try and address the elephant in the room. I know you think slime is too messy – it gets stuck in hair, carpets, clothes and it ruins your stuff. How am I going to get around that?!

Well, yes it can be messy, and yes, enthusiastic kids can get it in their hair or clothes. But with the secret power of vinegar (or any weak acid) you can tackle the slime mess no problem! Slime dissolves in vinegar, albeit slowly, so you can use this knowledge to tackle any clean up. Simply rub gently with white vinegar before washing in the machine as normal. Don’t believe me? Try dissolving some slime in a bowl of vinegar, you’ll notice small bubbles forming on the slime as it starts to react with the vinegar!

I hear and I forget

183:732137167 (Alice Curren) — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 15:31:49 GMT

“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” Confucius

Why is it so important to Dinky that every child gets their own equipment?

At the core of Dinky’s values is giving the kids opportunity to make their own discoveries. Giving them ownership of their experiments.

Yes, they are young, and sometime that means their experiment ends up looks nothing like what we grown ups envisaged. But that’s OK. Because the ownership, the choosing, the control they have will lead them to learn and understand.

These experiences will help build crucial skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, understanding cause and effect, and many more. Watching a demonstration will be remembered for the fun and visual effects. Carrying out an experiment themselves will be remembered and understood!

What’s this got to do with equipment then?

Simply put, I want every child to have equal access to their experiment whether they have a quiet, shy personality, an outgoing one, or somewhere in between. My experience as a parent going to groups with my preschoolers often found that the best experiences had to be shared with other kids. Now, I’m all for kids learning to share their toys and such like, but I’m talking about when there was a crush of small people and all the outgoing kids made it to the front to have the best experience/opportunity.

And that was it, I decided that as difficult as it sometimes is to provide the apparatus for every child, that is what Dinky is going to do, because that is what I believe is right.

This is where our unique white trays originated from – to give each child a designated experimenting space. As many other parents do at home, we had messy play trays or tuff trays for experimenting so when I set Dinky up, I was looking for a way to bring that into practical element to individual equipment. And why white? Well, lots of our experiment are colourful so the white background helps to see all the beautiful colours at their best!

But I’ve seen some red ones?! Ah yes, that is a legacy of Covid that will stay for some time… during lockdown I was unable to buy any white trays due to stocking issues so eventually I had to make do with red!

What can you expect when you attend a Dinky Discoverers session?

183:732137167 (Alice Curren) — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 19:19:09 GMT

Firstly, a personal welcome from me. If you don’t spot me immediately, don’t worry it’s likely I’ll be fetching water from the kitchen or I might be crouched down chatting to one of the children. As soon as I see you I’ll be over ��

I’ll introduce myself to your child so that they know my name and to start building engagement. I’ll explain to you how the session format works before inviting you to explore the free play station if you wish or find a spot to sit ready for the experiments.

So, what is the session format then?

1. Arrival and welcome . Everybody is getting settled, free play is available, and I invite the children to help me set out the equipment for our experiments.

2. Introduce the topic . I’ll encourage everyone to find a seat at a table and tray before introducing our topic for the week. The topic changes each week, meaning that we explore two new experiments each week.

3. First experiment . I guide the group through the experiment, asking age-appropriate questions and encouraging them to ask me questions too.

4. Second experiment . If there is going to be a messy experiment I try and do it second… but sometimes they are both messy! As per the first one I guide the group through the experiment.

5. Tidy up . As it sounds! I also encourage children to help with pouring into my “slop” bucket which is often a favourite!

6. Story time . I read a story that fits in with our topic. It’s a chance for us all to calm down after the excitement.

7. Thank you and close . I’ll let the group know what have planned for next week and also keep everyone updated about term dates and booking for future places.

Dinky is a friendly and relaxed place to spend time with your child. Listing out all the parts of the session makes it sound rigid, when it really is not! It’s fluid and interactive all the way through. I’m always asking questions and encouraging the children to contribute so when they do, I will acknowledge and include it in the session. As you might imagine this can lead to some very random conversations – we’ve paused many a time to appreciate a cement mixer passing by or to notice a spider weaving its web. But what’s important to Dinky is that the children feel it’s their session and they are truly involved in the science. Children are welcome to contribute at any point through the session.

To help build the children’s confidence and engagement in the sessions I make sure every child receives lots of personalised positive reinforcement and praise for investigating in their own way, having a go – even if it doesn’t work out, and asking and answering questions. No question is considered silly here!

I also want you to feel relaxed and enjoy the time you spend with your child at Dinky. So, if your child needs a brain break at any time, or if the experiment doesn’t interest them, they can go for a play at the free-play station. If you need to go with them to supervise that’s fine, or if you want to stay and continue the experiment so that they can join in again when they are ready, that’s fine too. Sometimes the children like to do their own version of the experiment rather than follow my guidance, and as long as it’s safe to do so, that’s fine too. You know your child best so I will follow your lead on how much to encourage them to participate in the experiments.

Dinky is passionate about making sure its venues are accessible and with great facilities. You’ll find level access for wheelchairs and pushchairs, as well as modern and clean baby change, disabled toilet and facilities. I also welcome anyone with special needs; get in touch with me before attending so that I know what support I can put in place.

The experiments are mostly table top based which makes this a great group for those less able to sit or play at floor level.

Finally, let’s not forget about the experiments! Dinky provides age-appropriate experiments in a fun and relatable way. I use stories, role play, challenges and “cool tricks” to present the experiments in an exciting way. I always try to relate the science we are investigating to something they will have experienced in day-to-day life, or to a familiar character. For example, relating melting of ice with the character Olaf from Frozen.

It's fun for the adults too! This is a class where you might find yourself learning alongside your child and having a blast too! You certainly do not need to be a science expert to bring your child to Dinky. Everyone welcome :D

What if my child can't sit still?

183:732137167 (Alice Curren) — Sun, 28 Aug 2022 20:58:26 GMT

What if my child is not great at listening? Or can’t sit still? I’m worried they’ll disrupt everyone.

I get asked this A LOT.

And I totally relate to it. My eldest was easily bored in groups and used to make a point of not following instructions! So, I know what it feels like to be worrying that other people might be judging you or your child.

Firstly, and most importantly, there is no judgment here. Dinky really is a welcoming place where each child is valued for what they bring to the session, whatever form that might be in. And don’t forget we offer a free trial session so you can decide for yourself if your child is ready for the sessions - you know them best.

I also want to try to dispel misconceptions that a child that doesn’t sit still is not “bright” or developing “normally”…

All children develop at different rates and in their own way – let’s not forget they are all unique people just like adults! Sometimes it’s easy to think they should follow some sort of instruction manual (if only!). At Dinky we are passionate about engaging with children wherever they are at with their development.

We don’t expect any child to sit still through a whole session! That’s why we always provide at least one free-play station alongside the structured experiments. Most children will naturally need to take a break from concentrating on the more structured experiments. The free-play station allows a brain break with movement while staying engaged.

Sometimes it’s a matter of finding what peaks their interested. I have had many parents arrive at their first session concerned about how their child will concentrate or engage, only to tell me at the end that this is the most engaged they have ever seen their child at a group! Dinky is different and we get a lot of kids who have struggled to engage with singing, dancing, sensory groups. But it’s not that the child can’t concentrate – just that they didn’t find it engaging! Maybe Dinky will offer that spark to ignite your child’s interest?

We love to learn about favourite colours, characters or toys too. We can then incorporate these into our play to help make it engaging for your child.

Finally, I’ve learned through experience that it’s important to remember that children learn so much even if they are not “looking engaged”. It might not look to us like a child is participating or following instructions but they might be curious about a piece of equipment we’ve just used, or some ink they spilt on the tray. Perhaps without words to articulate their curiosity they instead conduct their own little experiment. At Dinky we embrace all these self-made experiments that kids undertake. This is a great form of learning and when we notice it, we praise it. This in turn helps the child to become involved in sharing their thoughts and ideas with the group.

Why do pre-schoolers make such great scientists?

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 20:24:08 GMT

Naturally curious and no preconceptions!

If you think back to when your child was a baby, you'll remember they started putting things in their mouth early on and perhaps they still do. This is one of easiest signs of curiosity to spot in a baby. Mouthing objects is a way of finding out about it. Is it soft or hard? Rough or smooth? Hot or cold? In other words, being curious is helping the baby to build an understanding of the world around them.

And it's important to notice that "mistakes" are a vital part of building this understanding. A baby might mouth something that they don't like the taste or sensation of. They'll likely do it a number of times before learning not to.

What about pre-schoolers though? Well, pre-schoolers have developed more ways to be curious than babies such as through speech, but perhaps more importantly through their play. You'll have noticed an element of trial and error in their play as they figure out what works and what doesn't.

Another important factor is that pre-schoolers are not yet under the influence of "society norms". As we grow up, we start to care what others think of us and this can actually hinder our free thinking. Pre-schoolers are brilliant free thinkers because they don't tend to worry about whether it makes them look silly. They say what they see, as it were.

This is why at Dinky we believe it's really important to give positive reinforcement for all questions asked, to praise them for using their curiosity and asking the question that's on their mind.

You may also be aware that pre-schoolers live very much in the moment. This is actually helpful because they are not held back by a concern of making a mess. Perhaps a more freeing factor for pre-schoolers is that they have no preconceived ideas to conflict with, this ties in closely with them having no concept of "looking silly" for saying or thinking something. There's one final thing that pre-schoolers have on their side when living in the moment - that is the ability to become utterly absorbed in it for those 5-10 minutes. Unlike our adult minds which are cluttered with responsible thoughts about what's for lunch or did I pack that banana, which can pop up and interrupt our curiosity.

Another great quality that a pre-schooler scientist can bring to the lab bench is their use of their senses. They make more use of their senses in day to day life than most adults tend to. A big part of being a scientist is observing for changes, so pre-schoolers are well placed to notice when something feels different, or produces a smell, or even sounds different.

The final "superpower" of pre-schoolers that I want to highlight is perhaps the most unexpected; their unpredictability. Yes this can seem like a drawback but bear with me… Accidents happen, we all know and accept that. But did you know that some scientific discoveries have been made by accident? Now I'm not suggesting that a 3 year old is going to discover a solution to anti-biotic resistance, but I see that these "accidents" (that are inevitable) can lead to something awesome. Not a discovery for human kind, but perhaps a discovery for that pre-schooler. Maybe it makes a connection in their mind that an adult wouldn't have thought of, but that helps them to understand the world around them.