8 ways to get your child excited to Read!

by loosea | Oct 6, 2021 | Blog, Family

AD – This post is in collaboration with Very and Roald Dahl 

We are huge fans of reading books in this house and as a Mum of two, parenting blogger, book reviewer and avid reader; one of the questions I get asked most regularly is “How can I get my child to read?”.

For many parents, encouraging their child to read for pleasure can be a real challenge; with children resisting anything that feels like ‘school work’ or even claiming that books are boring! The reality is, books offer a huge number of benefits to children, not only in terms of their comprehension and vocabulary, but also their emotional wellbeing, mental health and even enhancing their sleep!

Here are our tips on how to get your child excited about reading! 

Be a positive role model

Like many things in life, children often replicate their parents behaviour, so reading more books yourself is a great way of becoming a positive role model for your children. When a child sees their parents reading as a way to relax, switch off and sleep better, it reinforces the message that reading can be fun and makes them more inclined to pick up a book themselves.

Introduce them to your favourites

A great way to gain your child’s interest in reading is to introduce them to some of the books you read and enjoyed yourself as a child. In our house this started with Roger Hargreaves and his Mr Men collection, then as the girls got older, classics from Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl.

There is nothing more enjoyable than watching my daughters face as she reacts to some of the exciting storylines I loved so much as a child. From the moment where James takes his first bite into the Giant Peach, to the somewhat shocking impact of George’s Marvellous Medicine, there are some real magical moments to be shared together in Roald Dahl’s classic collection.

Create a reading nook

Creating a comfortable environment for your child to read in can be a great motivator and encourage them to settle down with their book. It can also help create a clear separation between reading for pleasure and school work or education.

Whether it’s a pillow fort, a den under the bed or a comfy corner with a duvet and pillows, you’ll be amazed the impact an asthetically pleasing reading nook can have on their willingness to read.

We absolutely love the new exclusive Roald Dahl range at Very.co.uk – from the beautifully designed Roald Dahl pyjamas and dressing gowns, to fun dressing up outfits and even bedding inspired by Roald Dahl’s stories, world’s and characters. There is no better feeling than getting snug under the covers before being whisked away into another world.

The collection is aimed at children aged from 3-10 years and prices start at just £15. Even better, profits from every sale of the Very.co.uk Roald Dahl collection will be going to reading charity Coram Beanstalk, helping children across the UK gain reading confidence through volunteer reader helpers and one-to-one sessions.

Read together

Reading aloud together with your child, even when your child is old enough to read alone, can be a really positive experience.

Having a bit of calm time before bed and reading a larger chapter book together with your child (a page or paragraph each) is a great way to share the experience and expose them to a wider variety of language and expression.

Reading together is also ideal for less confident readers who can follow along the text as their parent reads the words aloud, asking about any words they don’t understand to clarify their meaning.

Bring Books to Life

A really fun way to embrace the magic of reading is to bring a book to life, incorporating some other practical activities to celebrate the story that your child has read. From playing a game, to drawing a picture of their favourite character, dressing up or even settling down to watch the movie; there are lots of ways to reinforce the message that reading is fun.

When it comes to children’s fiction, many of favourite Roald Dahl books have been turned into FANTASTIC family friendly films – from the much loved Matilda (a personal fave), to the BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and (if they’re feeling brave enough) the recent adaptation of The Witches! You really are spoiled for choice.

Embrace different reading materials

It is true when people say that any reading is good reading, so don’t be fooled into thinking that your children should only be reading fiction. Whether it’s an educational magazine, a non-fiction text on a subject they are passionate about, or even searching for fun facts on Google; mix things up and you’ll soon see the benefits!

Changing around the reading material regularly can not only keep your child’s motivations for reading high, but improve their general knowledge too. We love reading along with our Yoto Player and there are a wide range of Roald Dahl classic yoto cards to choose from. You can also get Roald Dahl tonies characters if your child has a Toniebox. Listening to audio books can still encourage a love of reading but can be beneficial for more reluctant readers.

Celebrate Authors

Whether its dressing up as their favourite character for World Book Day or getting involved with specific author celebrations such as Roald Dahl Story Day, learning all about an author, their life story and the books they have published, is a great way to celebrate their favourite characters with other children across the globe.

Change Misconceptions

Finally, there is a common misconception amongst some Junior age kids that reading can be BORING. If they genuinely think that, the they simply haven’t found the right book.

Wait until they realise the places a book can take them. If they are reluctant to start reading, find books that match their interests – from dinosaurs, to fairies, ponies to footballers, saving the planet or heading on a magical mission. Spark their interest, get them hooked and introduce them to the adventures that can be found beneath the cover.

I asked my daughter Erin (Aged 8) what she loves about reading and this was her response.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”I like reading because it feels like you are actually in the book and exploring new worlds. In books, lots of exciting things happen that might not happen in normal life. I get to go on fun adventures and meet new people. Books give me something to dream about!”[/perfectpullquote]

I hope you find these tips helpful.

Don’t forget you can check out the entire Roald Dahl collection at Very.co.uk here and support Beanstalk on their mission to get children reading with confidence!

Lucy

Those Tough Nights: Coping When Your Baby Is Unwell

by loosea | Aug 5, 2021 | Blog, Family

*This is a collaborative post

You might not have thought much beyond preparing for labour in the run-up to your baby being born karma but it’s safe to say that for any new parent, there is a significant learning curve. It’s not just to do with sleepless nights, and learning to function on little sleep, but about those moments when you feel worried about your child, and it seems there’s nothing you can do about it. There’s a massive sense of chaos sometimes, especially when your baby is unwell because this causes a lot of sleep issues for the baby and yourself. Navigating those tough nights when a baby is unwell is not easy, but let’s show you some surefire tactics to help everyone.

Baby Medicine Is Your Savior

Having a bottle of baby cold medicine by your side is going to make a sleepless night much easier. Some parents think that it’s far better for a baby to get over a cold by fighting it naturally, but we have to remember that when we aren’t very well, we’ll take paracetamol, which gives us a fighting chance at not feeling so rubbish. You may wonder if your baby should have cold medicine all of the time but in those situations where they’ve been trying to go to sleep all day, but something is bothering them and you don’t know what, baby medicine makes all of the difference. Just make sure that you stick to the dosage, and make a note of when you last gave the baby medicine. Many parents wonder if it’s okay to give paracetamol and ibuprofen. This is an answer for your doctor, but generally, it is okay, as long as the baby doesn’t have an adverse reaction.

Letting Them Sleep When They Can

You might think that they need to stick to a rigid sleep schedule, especially when they are so young and you’re trying to put these routines in place, but when your child is unwell, it’s important to just let them rest as much as they can. When we feel unwell, we’ve got to listen to our bodies, and sleep is the best thing for anybody to recover.

It’s going to help your child fight infection, and it’s important to remember that when they are awake, that you give them proper nutrition. If you’re breastfeeding them, do what you can to help them feed. They might not want to, in which case, just giving them as much comfort as possible will help them. You might be worried that you are undoing a lot of sleep training, but you can do anything to comfort your child, but if they are on the tail end of an illness, get back into the habit of laying them down when they are awake.

Navigating the Nights They Wake Up

You can spend a lot of time preventing illness but there is no preparation for when your child wakes up in the night and they are seemingly inconsolable. When your children are unwell, and they will wake up more frequently, and even if you’ve given them baby medicine, but they still wake up, you might come to the conclusion that they just need that comfort. If they are going through a leap, and they are unwell, they need that extra bit of comfort from their parents. In which case, putting them in your bed and making sure that they are able to sleep could make all the difference. However, it’s important to make sure you have the right supplies at the side of the bed:

• Baby medicine. 
• Decongestant.
• Baby wipes to wipe up any snot. 
• A spare set of baby clothes in case they are sick. 
• Supplies for yourself, whether this is water, paracetamol, or the remote control!

It is so important to remember that you need to look after yourself as well for me and it can feel very stressful when you’ve got work in the morning and you’ve been up night after night.

But the best approach is to be militant and try to get through the night. When a baby is unwell, it can cause a lot of stress, but it won’t last forever. By keeping a focused head on things, and making sure that we are energised with the right food and hydrated will minimise those tired feelings as much as is humanly possible.

That’s not to say you won’t feel terrible, but learning to navigate these nights is part and parcel of being a parent. It’s certainly stressful when it first happens, but it’s those situations where everybody has to muddle in and work together.

Noticing Signs of ADHD in Children

by loosea | Aug 4, 2021 | Blog, Family

*This is a collaborative post

Are you wondering if your child may have ADHD? The condition is more common than you might assume, but the symptoms can also be mistaken for a number of other behavioural disorders. For this reason, early diagnosis is key — at this stage in your child’s life, there’s plenty that can be done to help them deal with their symptoms. 

In this blog, we aim to help parents and carers improve their understanding of ADHD, how it may present differently in different children and how to support them to reach their full potential.

What is ADHD?

ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can be present in people of all ages and backgrounds. It is a condition that affects people’s behaviour, with both children and adults with the condition likely appearing restless, hyperactive or impulsive. Some common symptoms include:

• Short attention span / being easily distracted
• Forgetfulness
• Difficulty focussing
• Fidgeting / excessive movement
• Excessive talking
• Acting impulsively
• Interrupting

Usually, ADHD is diagnosed at an early age, but in many cases, ADHD symptoms may not have been noticed or may have been misattributed as problem behaviour, leading to a delayed diagnosis. In general, children have far more noticeable symptoms of ADHD, but as the severity of the condition can vary, sometimes it can be difficult to gauge whether your child has ADHD symptoms or if they are simply displaying common childhood personality traits such as hyperactivity and impulsivity. 

It’s important to note that when ADHD in children is left untreated it can lead to other difficulties such as problems with sleep, anxiety and interpersonal relationship difficulties. Understanding ADHD early can play a vital role in helping your child manage before such difficulties become apparent in their lives.

Can Toddlers Be Diagnosed with ADHD?

In short, yes, toddlers can be diagnosed with ADHD. However, since a lot of the symptoms are similar to toddler traits in general (such as a short attention span and hyperactivity) diagnosis can be fairly difficult. Usually, a toddler will not meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis unless symptoms persist for more than six months. In children who do not have ADHD, focus of attention develops relatively quickly as the child grows, going through various stages that allow for more complex attention skills. Simultaneously, hyperactive tendencies become less apparent as the child grows. In contrast, in children with ADHD it is common to see the child struggle with focus of attention and hyperactivity, going from early childhood and into later childhood. For this reason, you may find that a child with ADHD struggles to form and maintain relationships, as well as struggles to participate in certain activities that demand a high or complex level of focus. 

If you do notice symptoms of ADHD in a toddler, then it’s not too early to get support. Even at a young age, a toddler can get a specialist evaluation of their symptoms, particularly if they are clearly demonstrating impairment in their development. If your toddler is diagnosed with ADHD, the whole family can get involved with the child’s care plan, with everyone having an important role in supporting the child with their development and teaching them helpful behaviours so that they can thrive.

Early Warning Signs of ADHD

So, what should parents and carers be looking out for if they suspect their child might have ADHD? As previously mentioned, some signs can be synonymous with common personality traits in young children, so it may not be that if you have noticed these symptoms that they are likely to have ADHD. However, it can be helpful to make yourself aware of the signs and symptoms so that you can better understand how neuro-diverse children can be.. These might include:

• Difficulty focusing
• Forgetfulness
• Hyperactivity
• Impulsivity
• Disorganisation
• Impatience
• Fidgeting

Of course, there are a number of other signs that may be apparent in your child, but in general, children with ADHD present at least one of the above relatively frequently. It’s also important to remember that children of a young age are often hyperactive, and prone to fidget – they may also have difficulty remembering certain things from school or even leaving tasks unfinished. 

The line between an ADHD symptom and a typical child trait may feel blurred, but that’s okay – it is not your responsibility as a parent or carer to diagnose your child. If you are concerned, talk to others who spend time with your child and get some feedback. Teachers at school, staff at an after-school club and any child carers who see your child regularly may be able to help. If you’re still concerned after having these discussions and feel your child could benefit from an assessment, then seek professional help from a child ADHD expert. The condition is fairly common, and with professional help, you will be able to determine how to appropriately support your child.

ADHD in Boys and Girls: Is There a Difference?

There is research that shows some interesting differences between how males and females present with ADHD symptoms, particularly in childhood. Largely, the difference between male and female ADHD presentation in children has been noticed in the classroom setting. It has been noted that boys can tend to display more externalised symptoms of ADHD, including running and impulsivity which can tend to cause disruption in the classroom. It has also been noted that girls with ADHD typically show internalized symptoms such as inattentiveness, and display fewer behavioural symptoms. Due to girls displaying more internalised symptoms, their symptoms may go unnoticed in childhood and therefore it can appear as though symptoms in girls develop later in life.

At What Age Does ADHD Peak?

Again, this is something that differs between every child or adult with ADHD. in general, symptoms of ADHD are first picked up around the age of four, but this does not mean this is the ‘peak’. Symptoms of hyperactivity are typically most severe around the age of 7-8, gradually declining thereafter as the child grows and learns to manage their hyperactivity differently. Peak severity of impulsive behaviour is also at around the same age and similarly as the child grows, they begin to learn new and helpful ways of managing this. ‘Peak’ ages can also depend on the specific type of ADHD.

People rarely ‘outgrow’ ADHD, but overtime symptoms do improve. Generally speaking, children from 4 years old up to the beginning of adolescence will experience heightened symptoms. With a dedicated treatment plan and ongoing support from parents and medical professionals, children with ADHD will have the best chances of achieving their full potential.

Are There Different Types of ADHD?

As with any neurodevelopmental condition, ADHD can present differently from one individual to another. Some experience very mild symptoms whereas others find that the condition has a significant impact on their day-to-day life. Usually, ADHD symptoms can be split into three main types or characteristics:

• Inattention: trouble listening when being spoken to directly, poor concentration or struggles with moving concentration away from certain activities, easily distracted and forgetful. 
• Impulsivity: engages in reckless, risky or antisocial activities without thinking about the consequences, and has difficulty waiting for their turn to talk.
• Hyperactivity: excessively fidgets, struggles to sit still and is extremely restless.

Children in particular may experience these symptoms in different ways and to different severities, so it’s useful for parents to be watchful of such behaviours, if concerned, even if they appear minor. You may find your child is showing signs of all three primary types of ADHD symptoms, perhaps some more so than others. Whatever they seem to be experiencing, patience and ongoing support is key to help your child manage triggers better.

The Importance of Diagnosing ADHD

To give your child the best possible chance of reaching their full potential with ADHD,, early diagnosis and appropriate support is key. Once your child has had a specialist assessment for ADHD, you can receive guidance on how to provide the most valuable support and mitigate the potential for difficulties in later life. 

Caring for a child with ADHD can be challenging, but an early diagnosis can be hugely supportive for both the carers and the child.. When parents and carers understand their child’s ADHD presentation, they can make the first key steps to supporting the child to manage their ADHD more effectively.

It is important to note that when ADHD remains undiagnosed until adulthood, the individual will have likely had many experiences that will have led to developing various difficulties such as low self-esteem, anxiety and addiction. Although many adults who have a diagnosis later in their life report that they feel relieved (as their life experiences make more sense when framed in the context of an ADHD diagnosis), they can often continue to struggle with the difficulties that have developed from undiagnosed ADHD, for which therapy and coaching could be a huge help. Therefore, it is vital that if parents or carers suspect ADHD, they speak to a specialist and seek support as soon as possible.

How Do I Get My Child Treated for ADHD?

If after reading this you feel you are fairly certain that your child is showing signs of ADHD, it is recommended that you seek professional guidance. At Psymplicity Healthcare, you can arrange for your child to have anADHD assessment whereby a specialist will sit with you and your family and discuss a detailed care plan with you.

About the Author: Mavish Sikander is a BABCP Accredited Cognitive Behavioural and EMDR Therapist with years’ experience helping clients battle anxiety, depression, phobias and low self-esteem. Mavish’s innate compassion and empathy led her to a career in psychotherapy. She now practices with Psymplicity, a boutique Harley Street psychiatry clinic.

Best Matching Family Pyjamas for Christmas 2020

by loosea | Oct 16, 2020 | Blog, Family

*This post contains affiliate links*

Matching family pyjamas this Christmas are NEEDED. Are you in?? Every year my family and I have a number of family Christmas traditions and despite the fact that this year Christmas is feeling like it could be a bit of a damp squib; I am still determined to continue our family traditions this Christmas and make it feel as special as we can do under the circumstances. Whilst the decision about whether we will be able to share Christmas with friends and family is yet to be determined, the one thing we can do is focus on making Christmas special at home. Bringing out the Christmas Eve boxes, creating Santa’s snow footprints in the hall (you can download my Santa Footprint printable here) playing with toys and games together as a family and my personal fave – snuggling up together on the sofa in our new Christmas family pyjamas.

It appears that I am not alone in this. Many of my friends also purchase new matching family pyjamas / pjs for Christmas; whether its festive pyjamas to go in the Christmas Eve box or matching family pjs where you can all look identical; there are usually lots of fab Christmas pyjamas to choose from.

We’ve rounded up some of the best family Christmas pyjamas 2020 so you can make your pick from the best!

For Comfort with a fun festive twist…

We absolutely love Boden’s adorable starboard jolly dogs matching family pyjamas – a super cute playful sausage dog print with lots of little dogs wearing fairsale Christmas jumpers, playing with baubles and embracing the party hats.

For Men who may be a little reluctant to embrace the family pyjamas tradition these are perfect. The Mens Jersey Starboard Jolly Dogs Set comes with a slip on cotton jersey long sleeved top and cosy long johns and an elasticated waistband for comfort (and to make room for all the quality street you will inevitably consume)

The matching Womens starboard jolly dogs bottoms are available to buy separately from the top. I actually prefer this as very rarely wear the pj tops as I tend to get too hot. If you prefer, you can team up with a navy vest top instead or buy the matching top.

Finally for the kids the Starboard Jolly Dogs Kids all in one is a cosy all in one button up sleep suit in the same design – Available in ages 3 to 14 this snug fit sleep suit has elasticated cuffs in a bright contrast colour.

Overall – not the cheapest set when buying for the whole family but probably my favourite design for 2020 that I’ve seen so far. The only downside of this set is that age 3 is the smallest – I sadly cant see a baby grow in the same design.

For the Personalised Matching Family Pyjamas

These adorable personalised matching Christmas portrait pjs feature personalised portrait illustrations and a name of your choice e.g Mummy, Daddy etc! Simply select your choices from various different options to create your own character that looks like you and your family members including face shape, skin and hair colour as well as any accessories such as glasses, facial hair and Christmas hats! Available in sleep suit, childrens, mens and womens sizes. Price is per set.

For the Mum and her new Baby 

These matching Christmas pyjamas for mum and baby or mum and child are a super cute was to celebrate a Mum and baby’s first Christmas together. Made from 100% organic cotton with a and sewn pom pom reindeer nose, these pyjamas are available in size Small (8-10), Medium (12-14) and Large (16-18) for mum and newborn – 7 years for baby/child.

For Super Cute Siblings

How cute are these elf pyjamas for brothers or sisters?

We love these very Christsmassy Kids elf Pj’s for siblings and they are a great look for bedtime if you like your siblings to match (twinning is winning). With sizes available from 6-12 months through to 9-10 years, any brothers and sisters are sure to love being ‘Big Elf’ and ‘Lil Elf’ on Christmas Eve. A perfect Christmas Eve box addition; and the perfect festive movie night attire!

matching christmas pyjamas for siblings

For the Traditional Matching Family Pyjamas

If you prefer your Christmas Matching Family Pyjamas to be a little more on the traditional side, then these Traditional Tarten Matching Christmas PJS will be right up your street. Cotton checked bottoms with drawstring waist and POCKETS (praise the Lord!) These are available in red or grey mix, and have womens, mens, children and baby rompers too. There is even a night dress version too for those who prefer to be a little less restricted!

Christmas Matching Family Pyjamas 2020

Feeling Ice-Olated?

These super cute polar bear print family pyjamas are sure to bring the whole family together with the fun festive design. Available in Mens, Womens, Childrens and baby grow sizes as well as a night dress and if you REALLLLLY want to put your heart and soul into it; theres a matching bedding set too!

matching family pyjamas 2020

For some much needed laughs…

For those who are prepared to look like…. well a bit of an idiot frankly, and truly embrace the Christmas spirit, these all in one reindeer hooded family onsies are sure to raise some laughs!

Appreciating your Christmas Crew

These Christmas Crew Family Festive Pyjamas  are the perfect combination of traditional and fun and probably less likely to get moaned about by any reluctant family members (there is always one)

The Charity Pyjamas

Unfortunately the Alder Hey (Matalan) pjs are sold out outline (sadly they sell out VERY early every single year and this year seemed to disappear faster than ever) but you may still be able to find some in store

For the reluctant participant

Ok, we know how it is, there is always one scrooge who just doesn’t want to participate, and who wouldn’t be seen DEAD wearing a pair of matching family pyjamas (especially when there is the risk of it going on social media). How about those family socks instead? They’ll have difficulty moaning about these Personalised Family Christmas Socks – available in green and red (although I prefer the red)

So there you have it, which ones are your fave?

Will you be embracing the family pyjamas tradition this Christmas?