Following from my post about how E has been getting on at school I started doing a bit of research online to see what hubby and I can do at home to aid his learning.
Here are my findings so far:
Letterland
E’s school use these friendly characters from Letterland to assist with learning phonics and there is a great Parent’s guide that helps you with the sounding of each letter. There is a wealth of information and resources like alphabet/ handwriting songs, handwriting practice and loads more.
Oxford Owl
The school follows the Oxford Reading Tree reading scheme and when looking them up I found the Oxford Owl website. If you sign up you can access over 250 e-books which are aimed at children as young as 3 right through to age 11. Audiobooks are also available, as well as ideas for fun games you can play with your child, interactive games, top tips and even a help section.
Read with Biff, Chip & Kipper – iPad app
I downloaded the Biff, Chip & Kipper app onto our iPad a while back as the school said that reading – whether as hard copies or digital was to be encouraged. I’ve yet to sit down with E and read these yet but I have no doubt he will enjoy them.
Reading Eggs
Online lessons that make learning to read fun. The idea is that your child goes at their own pace through lessons and they earn “golden eggs” as they go through. I signed up to Reading Eggs a few weeks ago when we were offered a 4 week free trial. I like the idea that it is interactive learning and that E can pick and choose which lessons he wants to do. We’ve not had much time to go through this of late (we always seem so busy) so it may well be something I will sign up for properly in the New Year. There are around 120 lessons aimed at 3- 7 year olds who are learning to read and they offer a free trial – its definitely worth checking them out!
Learning resources
Learning Resources is a great website that sell educational toys for children from 2 – 11 years of age. There are toys to aid literacy, numeracy, role play and more. I LOVE the look of the Pretend and Play Post Office set and I think this is something E would really enjoy! I also think the Big Cat Math – Addition & Subtraction looks like something that would really help with E’s maths.
So there you have it, there really is wealth of information on hand for parent’s out there – now I just need to find some more time to put these to good use!
Do you also have a child in Reception? I would love to know of any learning resources you have found useful – leave me a comment
Hello and welcome to Suburban Mum!
I'm Maria and I'm mum to two boys - E who's 12 and M who's 9. This blog is about my little family, the ups and downs of being a working mum and everything in between. If you want to find out more about me and my family head over to our About us page.
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If you are looking to learn a new language, head to Amazing Talker where you can find qualified tutors who can help you take your learning to the next level.
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We went to check out the newly opened @laserquestkingston last week.
Laserquest, VR Experiences and Arcades all under one roof means only one thing - bundles of fun and games for the kids at really affordable prices.
Laserquest games start from just £7.95 but you can also buy a Laserquest and VR Experiene combo pass.
You need to purchase tokens for the arcades (they’re all 1 token to play). Arcade tokens are 6 for £5 or 12 for £10
Feeling super lucky that this is practically on our doorstep and we will definitely be back again because Mr H came second in our Laserquest game and refuses to be beaten by E!
Do you have a Laserquest near you?
#Laserquest #LaserquestKingston #LaserTag #ActivitiesForKids #ThingsToDoWithKids #FamilyFun #IndoorActivities #Kingston #DaysOutWithKids #RainyDayFun #SurreyFamilyDaysout #SurreyMummy #SurreyDaysOut #SurreyLife #SurreyMums #FamilyDaysOut #LifeWithKids #LifeWithBoys #Familyof4 #Familydayout #Familyfunday
[AD] As Stay Active Ambassadors, the boys have been testing out another one of @CharacterToys products this month.
The Jump-It Wipeout is a musical jump challenge where you try to beat the rotating soft foam jump bar. The aim is to either jump until the time is up or until you Wipeout!
The boys have LOVED testing this out and it’s kept them busy over half-term.
⭐ Great for competing with family and friends of all ages, Jump-It Wipeout will test your timing, reactions, agility and fitness.
⭐ It can be used both indoors and outdoors, you just need a big enough indoor area for them to use while jumping. Although we’ve had very mild weather for October, the game is a good way to keep them busy active when it’s wet and miserable outside.
I’ve written a full review over on the blog: https://www.suburban-mum.com/jump-it-wipeout-review/
The Stay Active Jump-It Wipeout is suitable for children aged 6+ and is available from @smythstoys for £59.99
#StayActiveWithCharacter #JumpItWipeout #Wipeout #ActiveKids #KidsActivities #StayActive #OutdoorToys #IndoorToys #HealthyKids #HealthyMind #ActiveKidsAreHappyKids #ExplorerKids #letsgolittles #SmythsToys #FitnessToys #ScreenfreeTime #JumpingGame #IndoorGames #kidsfitness
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The boys had a lovely afternoon at @wahaca Southbank today. As well as munching on some delicious mexcian style street food, they also had the opportunity to paint sugar skulls ready for #DiaDeLosMuertos
Wahaca, Southbank is providing FREE sugar skulls and paints between 27th- 28th October when you dine in.
#DayOfTheDead #SugarSkull #DiaDeLosMuertos #Wahaca #DiaDeMuertos #SugarSkullPainting #HalfTermActivities #HalfTermFun #HalfTerm #MexicanFood #WahacaSouthbank #SouthbankLondon #MexicanTradition #VisitLondon #MyFamilyAdventures #SurreyFamilyDaysOut #SurreyMummy #SurreyDaysOut #SurreyLife #SurreyMums #FamilyDaysOut #ActivitiesForChildren #KidsCreativity #FunWithKids #KidsActivityIdeas #KidsActivity #kidsactivites
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We had so much fun on the after-dark twilight trail @polesdenlaceynt last week. The boys loved carrying lanterns for part of the trail.
IGNITE at Polesden Lacey is a lovely way to spend an autumn evening. The trail was really well done and what really topped it for us was the relaxing music that accompanied the trail throughout. It would make a great alternative to Bonfire night and a lovely half-term activity to do with kids. (check out the reel I made to give you a taste of what to expect)
IGNITE at Polesden Lacey is on now until Sunday, 6th November.
📍 IGNITE at Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham, RH5 6BD
🚆Best to visit by car, nearest stations are 3/4 miles away (Boxhill & Westhumble, Bookham and Dorking)
⏰ Trail is 3/4 mile long
☕️ Cafe, food vans and gift shop
🎫 Admission prices from: Adult £16.50, Child £12.50, Family £56 (2 adults & 2 children). Free entry for carers and children aged 2 & under. Parking £7.00 per car or free for National Trust members.
[AD - Press Tickets]
If you’re looking for an after-dark twilight trail in Surrey - look no further!
IGNITE at @polesdenlaceynt is back for 2022! It’s an enchanting walk around the gardens, led by glowing tree tunnels and flickering flames, with beautiful light installations along the way.
I’ve written about our visit in more detail in a blog post: https://www.suburban-mum.com/twilight-trail-ignite-at-polesden-lacey/
IGNITE at Polesden Lacey is on now until Sunday 6th November.
#IgniteAtPolesdenLacey #LightTrail #IgniteTrails #AutumnNights #PolesdenLacey #Surrey #IgniteTrails #UKEvents #AutumnTrails #Ignite #Iluminations #SurreyTrails #NationalTrustUK #WinterEvenings #surreyfamilydaysout #surreymummy #surreydaysout #surreylife #surreymums #familydaysout #outdoorsandfree #outdoorsandhappy #whatevertheweatherkids #wheremywelliestakeme #takeyourkidsoutside #takeyourkids #whatevertheweather #outdoorsfamilylife
Another one from our visit to @garsons_esher. The boys are on half-term this week, we have a few activities planned alongside some chilled out days at home. They are looking forward to carving their pumpkins this week ready for Halloween - luckily they have an inset day on the 31st!
🎃 I made a reel of our pumpkin picking visit to @garsons_esher a couple of weeks ago. 🎃
They’ve changed it up this year, you don’t pick your pumpkin from a patch anyymore, instead the pumpkins are ready in a Pumpkin Parade area ready for you to pick. There’s also lots of Halloween photo opportunities to be had too which was great fun.
Have you visited a Pumpkin Patch yet?
#Halloween #Pumpkins #PunpkinPicking #GarsonsFarm #Esher #HalfTerm #HalfTermFun #PumpkinPatch #surreyfamilydaysout #surreymummy #surreydaysout #surreylife #surreymums #familydaysout #UKexplore #justgetoutside #letthembewild #moretoexploreoutdoors #ourplayfulstyle #outdoorsandfree #adventuresofchildren #countrykidsfun #freespiritedchildhood #letthembewild #mycolourfulkids #noordinarykids
[AD] As part of role as a Stay Active Amabassador we are reviewing some products from @CharacterToys over the summer. 👟 🏃♀️🏃♂️
This month we are looking at Kickerball ⚽
⚽ Suitable for kids aged 6+
⚽ Swerve and kick the ball like a pro
⚽ Master 3 shots: under the ball, side of the ball and center of the ball
I've written a review over on my blog https://www.suburban-mum.com/kickerball-review/
KickerBall is available from @SmythToys and it's a great way to keep the kids active, improving movement, balance, coordination, social skills, self-esteem and confidence.
#StayActiveWithCharacter #ActiveKids #KickerBall #Football
#BeginnersFootball #FootballTraining #FootballTricks #KidsActivities #StayActive #OutdoorToys #HealthyKids #HealthyMind #ActiveKidsAreHappyKids #ExplorerKids #letsgolittles
I had to make a reel of our first holiday abroad since 2019!
We went back to Valencia, staying in a villa in Monte Pego which was amazing.
Sad it's all over and already wanting to plan the next one....
#SummerHoliday #Spain2022 #Valencia #MontePego #Espana #mycameracapture #100thingsthatmakemesmile #kidtraveler #kidtraveller #kidtravels #familywhotravels #kidstravelling #travellingwithchildren #travelwithchildren #tripwithkids #familytravelmoment #kidswithpassports #kidadventures #showthemtheworld #adventurefamily #familyexplorers #exploringfamilies #family #travelblog #lifeofadventure #travelfamily #uktraveller #familytraveltribe #travelmyheart #myheartwasmadetotravel
[AD] We’re super excited to be chosen to be Stay Active Ambassadors alongside Olympic Champion @gregjrutherford. Over the summer months ☀️, we will be tasked with reviewing some products from @CharacterToys' Stay Active range. 👟 🏃♀️🏃♂️
This month the boys have been getting to grips with the Hip Hoppa.
Suitable for kids aged 6+, it can be:
⭐ used both indoors & outdoors
⭐ is a fun bouncing game
⭐ helps with improving your balance & coordination
⭐ buildings your core strength, fitness & stamina
The Hip Hoppa is available from @veryuk
#StayActiveWithCharacter #ActiveKids #HipHoppa #KidsActivities #StayActive #OutdoorToys #HealthyKids #HealthyMind #ActiveKidsAreHappyKids #ExplorerKids #LetsGoLittles
[AD - Gifted] Stand out from the crowd with a @liferyder.uk scooter!
The boys have been getting lots of compliments on their new rides. M scoots to and from school on his every day and loves how fast they go. I've had a little go on them too and would love if they did an adult version so I can join in the fun.
I've written a full review of these awesome all-terrain scooters with interchangeable grahpics over on my blog (link in bio)
What do you think of the LIFERYDER scooters?
[AD - Gifted] The boys were over the moon when their awesome scooters from @liferyder.uk arrived on our doorstep. So much so, Mr H had to get building them straight away so they could take their new wheels out for a spin. We're really impressed with them so far - the intructions are super easy to follow and put together.
LIFERYDER scooters are all-terrain and designed to grow with your child, they're also customisable with a range of super-cool graphics too!
I've written a full review over on the blog (link in bio).
#liferyderuk #LetsScoot #JustGoOutside #BigWheelScooter #BigWheelsKeepOnTurning #AllTerrainScooter #KidsScooter #UKexplore #justgetoutside #letthembewild #moretoexploreoutdoors #ourplayfulstyle #outdoorsandfree #outdoorsandhappy #whatevertheweatherkids #screenfreekids #kidsfunday #mycolourfulkids
[AD - Gifted tickets] Made a reel of our @carterssteamfair visit. Don't forget its the last time Carters are in Hersham Green this weekend (11am-8pm). Entry is free and you get free rides when you book online.
#Carters2022 #CartersSteamFair #VintageFair #Funfair #HershamGreem #SteamFair #Fairground #FairgroundRides #VisitSurrey #surrey #surreydaysout #visitsurrey #elmbridge #discoversurrey #cometothefair #familyfun #familydayout #surreymums #surreyfamilies #daysoutwithkids #familydaysout #elmbridgemums #weybridgemums #daysoutwiththefamily #fairgroundrides #whatsonattheweekend #daysoutwithkids #funwiththefamily #familydaysout
I am so busy running around that sometimes I forget to take a breath and just stop for a second.
May is birthday season over here so it's a rather chaotic month.
I think this quote needs to be my mantra to repeat to myself over and over again!
[AD - Gifted tickets]
We have SO many lovely memories of visiting @carterssteamfair over the years. You may have heard that this is their last ever tour as the owners are looking to find a permanent site for the fair.
We went to our last ever Carters Fair at Hersham Green over the weekend. The sun was out and the kids had an absolute blast going on their favourite rides.
The fair is still on at Hersham Green this weekend 14-15th May - if you love traditional fairground rides and games make sure you visit.
Thanks for the memories Carters!
I remember Letterland and Bif Chip and Kipper when my son was little. Great list of resources here
Thanks Melissa! Letterland is great for helping them with their phonics! x
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