Objects for language learning

This post has been a long time coming. I will eventually add more to this but as the Christmas season is now upon us, my thoughts/ energy have been diverted to that.

Encouraging numbers and colours in a different language is a very good start for foreign language learning in young children. My son loves making towers and so encouraging the colours in French and the numbers has been easy to incorporate into everyday play.

Currently we have also been using a lot of Play dough. Oh my! Hours of fun on this as an everyday activity. With this we have been practicing colours and shapes in French.

Happy Language Learning Peeps!

C’est décembre!

Dinosaur Books

Oh my goodness! What an absolute fantastic find in Sainsbury’s.

Currently my son has been really loving dinosaurs and so when I spotted these; it was a must.

Best bits:

-Colourful

-Factual ( pages at the end of the book that give facts about the main dinosaur.)

-Funny ( names that your young ones will remember.)

– Hardback ( durable as we have taken them just about everywhere. Nearly had a trip in the bath at one occasion!)

For any toddler dinosaur lovers these are great.

I did notice there was a sticker book from the same series as well which might have to get purchased on our next visit.

Do any of you have any dinosaur book recommendations or toy recommendations for that matter?

Au revoir

Me Time

After having read a blog post by Janine's Little World, I thought that I would follow suit and write one for myself. I am finding that it is not often that I do make time for this, so it is the little things that count.

A. Lying in bed with a cup of hot coffee while my DH reads LB a story.

B. A hot bath during nap time. On the rare occasion that this does happen I LOVE IT. I tend to find that nap time gets filled by doing chores.

C. Watching TV in the evening once LB has gone to sleep. Currently watching Homeland with DH and a couple of series on Netflix. ( Ozark is very good.)

D. Baking – I enjoy (when I get time) making muffins/cup cakes. Recently, however, it has mainly been finding recipes and not actually doing anything with them. Anyone else find this to be the case?

E. Going back and forth to work – a good 20 mins each way which always wind down time and time for reflection.

Am currently on Summer hols though.

F. Reading my subscription magazine – Mollie Makes. Has a lot of ideas for crafty things to do. This was a gift from my sister.

G. Walking to the shop – even if it is just to get a loaf/pint of milk.

H. Browsing my local charity shops -I enjoy this even with LB in stroller.

I. The occasional lunch with DH (without LB).

What are your favourite 'me' time things?

😀🌞🌸

My Top 5 Baby Books ..

Sebastian is nearly 15 months old now. He absolutely loves reading so we have an abundance of books all over the house – both in his room and in our living room. Here are our top 5 currently. 

1. Spot’s Story Collection 

These are a very good set of books and were given to him by a close friend. They are very independent reading friendly and Sebby loves to just sit and turn pages himself. It is good as there is continuity of characters in all and also very good topics that are relevant to his age range. 

2. The Very Lazy Ladybird 

Goodness me, this book has been his favourite since he was very very little. I don’t know if it is something to do with the colours/ pictures but he loves it. Had it at bednight time tonight – his choice! 

3. Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

We actually have the full set of these books – but this one is by far his favourite. 

Sebby loves the flaps and, in fact, they will probably all need to get glued down again as they have been tugged at. 

Found a new one in the set from a garden centre last week – colours. Good to see the same use of the characters – this one, however, had no flaps.

4. Say goodnight to the sleepy animals 

This was given as a birthday present and is always on high demand for bedtime reading . Sebby loves the sounds and pointing at the animals. I feel it encourages the idea of sleeping and saying good night.😴

5. Hairy McLary from Donaldson’s Diary

Another favourite – particularly with cousins, nephews and nieces. This does come as a series of books and we have quite a few. Lots of individual characters in them. Lots of rhyming as well and you will find you remember the story line very easily. 

Happy reading 😀

January Book Review

 Mes premieres comptines d’animaux – Grund

Now this book was purchased by my sister (who lives in Paris) for Sebastian at Christmas. It has been such a favourite/ go to book this month. 

Every page has a button/ circle that you have to press and then a song is sung. The lyrics to the song are on the left part of the page and the right has a picture. Colours are vivid and the drawings are cartoon like. Sebby loves the songs especially the ‘Petit Escargot’ and Madame Hipopotame’. Very simple songs and access some simple vocabulary. 

Age range can really vary for this one but I would say to about 4/5 years. 

Here is an example page. 

The Second book – My first French Word Book – Usborne 

Very lovely pictures and helps for children to point at. Sebastian has loved reading/ looking at this. It was a birthday book from his grandparents. 

There are many topics in this book. 

-Mon corps / Mes vêtements/ A la maison / La famille et les amis / Les couleurs / Les nombres / Au lit /En avant /A la ferme / Je peux 

I would recommend this book for any toddler or small child. 

😊😀😊🦄

The Christmas Tag

After seeing this on Paige’s Blog, I thought I’d do the same: Paige’s Paradise Blog

So, here goes:

1. What is your favourite Christmas movie? 

Well, I love Elf, Home Alone, Miracle on 34th Street. Now that I have my son, I can imagine that these will change to whatever he likes. I ❤️ Disney so hopefully he does too.

2. Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

Christmas morning -for sure. But this year will start tradition with family to open one gift (pjs) on Christmas Eve.

3. Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?

Not particularly- just memories of being with family. Attending my cousins wedding in Florida was a good one. I have no doubt that this Christmas (my son’s first Christmas) will be very very special.

4.Favourite festive food?

Am a sucker for Christmas pudding and pigs in blankets. 

5. Favourite Christmas gift?

Don’t have a favourite – love all my presents. 

6. Favourite Christmas scent?

Cinnamon and gingerbread. Normally in the form of candles but baking also. Oh, mulled wine 🍷.

7. Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?

Starting this year – gifting of pjs on Christmas Eve. Obviously filling up stockings for the morning.

8. What tops your tree?

Handmade wooden star made by my very talented husband.

9. As a kid what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) gift you always asked for but never received?

Can’t really remember but I don’t think that I ever was that extravagant. 

10. What’s the best part about Christmas for you?

Being with family – lots of laughter!😊😀🤗🤗
Thanks 💜🎄💜