5 Little Ducks

5 Little Ducks is a fun, animated counting song for young children.

It's a great free online resource available at the Priory Woods School site. You can either download the program or play it online. Find it at: http://priorywoods.veriovps.co.uk/resources/ducks.htm

I downloaded it a while ago and every now and then I play it and sing along with Benjamin. It was great having a go yesterday as I can see that he is getting more out of it as he gets a bit older.

NB It looks like Benjamin is using the mouse in the photo, but I have to admit that so far he only pulls the cable of the mouse!

Shopping and talking your way to baby's eloquence

My mum friend, Becky, told me that the more you chat to your baby the more eloquent they will become when they are older. With this in mind last Thursday we were running short of a few things so I decided to focus on this while we went shopping to Sainsbury's.

Have you tried talking lots and not getting any response back?...It's very difficult. In the end I resorted to making broom broom noises, playing BOO and giving him a rice cracker to munch on! :-).

I will let you know how he turns out!

Washing basket car

Today, as a treat for Benjamin, I let him sit in the washing basket and made some realistic broom broom noises, told him to hold on tight and pulled him across the landing..I think he enjoyed this as I got a great smile :-)

Down side is that our washing basket grips the carpet making this very hard work for me, ho hum, perhaps a cardboard box would be better, must look for one.

Warning, don't (as I did) leave him alone while you make a mad dash for the camera, as he might come tumbling out and bash his head. He didn't do this until I was back there with him and after I had taken the photos, but I feel awful about it anyway.

The photo above is pre bruise....

Colour Flash Cards

Easy and free to make using download from sparklebox.com

You will need:

• A colour printer,


• An A4 piece of card and A4 piece of paper,


• glue,


• scissors and


• an envelope to put them all in at the end!

How I made my cards:

1. I downloaded the PDF from the sparklebox site (www.sparklebox.co.uk/2076-2080/sb2080.html) and saved it to my pc,



2. I printed it out on our colour printer,



3. I cut all the individual cards out and stuck them onto a piece of card,



4. I cut them out and bingo, I am now the proud owner of my cards,



5. I have left them out to dry this evening to stop them sticking together.

Review:

I have to admit that at 10 months Benjamin might be a little young for these :-) We went through the colours and Benjamin was keen to hold and taste them! I think when he starts talking that they could be good to test his colours. I also think they would be great used as snap cards if you made up a a number of sets.

PS I think that if I am going to get into making this stuff that a laminator would be invaluable, I am going to check out how much they and the plastic cost to buy and I will let you know.

Before I start I feel I ought to introduce you to Benjamin :-)