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People used to say that “play is children’s work”. What they really meant was that when children play they learn. And the best learning happens in this way.

As parents, we all know about the special moments of a cuddle and a whispered “I love you” that creates a rapport between the child and adult.

Humans are generally disposed to living in a group. We need others to like us and we need a community to belong to.

We’ve all heard stories promoting left and right brain thinking. But what is it all about?

The job of shopping is often a trial when you have toddlers and pre-schoolers in tow.

Parents are often concerned about their two to four years old knocking down or taking toys apart.

Four-year-old children today are becoming competent in many day-to-day activities. They can dress themselves, bath themselves, pack away their toys (if they feel inclined to do so), eat with utensils, flush the toilet, take food out of the fridge, climb into the car, climb steps and walk on the footpath by themselves.

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from difficulties, failure, disappointments and setbacks.

When I search my memory for the best gifts I received as a child, they were often books. You might even have kept your favourite books to hand on to your grandchild.

Being able to imagine things is one of the key characteristics of being human. With imagination, we can invent things and plan ahead. We can know how others feel in different situations and we can put ourselves in their shoes and show understanding and tolerance.

Bathtime is a great way to introduce your pre-schooler to simple maths and science. This is a time when adults must supervise their child or even take a bath with them so why not take advantage and use it for learning fun?

Parties for three to four year olds are increasingly sophisticated and costly with clowns, jumping castles and the like. But you can still have successful parties for this age group at home if you have a safe back garden, and for much less cost.

Now that the cold weather is here, we need to think of safety for our children

If your child is 3-4 years old, then you will know how frustrating it is when you say something to them and they just ignore you.

We usually think that children learn to read after they start school. However, we all know that children can recognise their cereal packet or that favourite book or DVD from the video shop or even that well-known fast food restaurant.

Physical activity is a must for young children and, as parents, we can encourage our children to enjoy activities that create a culture of physicality for life.

School begins to loom large in the minds of parents in January, especially if your child has outgrown pre-school and is starting ‘big school’.

Sharing is something even adults struggle with. We’d think twice about letting a teenager driver share our new car, yet we expect young children to share new toys with their friends. Nonetheless, sharing remains an integral part of life for adults and children alike.

Summer is a wonderful time for children as they are able to play outdoors freely. However we need to consider their health and safety during the hotter months of the year.

Language enables children to interact with others, express their thoughts and feelings and find out about their world. A love of language is a gift that any parent can give their child.

Emerging from the safety and security of being a baby, children first begin encountering failure when they are toddlers. It’s at this point that parents can step in and help instil a sense of confidence in their child

All children are born with a basic temperament, but over time it can be modified or influenced by the environment in which they live.

It’s a fact that children under 6 years old tell tall tales. Parents need to be careful that they don’t treat fantasising as something more sinister than a normal part of childhood development.

If you are feeling the pressures of being modern parenting, relax. There are many things that only parents can give their children. So stop fretting and enjoy being a parent—it’s the greatest job of all