Habits you grow with from Childhood and in your kids

Lots of my habits have stemmed from my Childhood, like being street wise, and that is a good habit and now my son is learning that, and we go through different street names to help for when he can venture out on his own know where he is.

This has helped me with my sense of direction as my trait there comes from my mum, because it is like the blind leading to blind, and whenever I got lost, she has become the first person I go too. Thanks too having a mobile phone, and thanks to maps on phones.

My sons sense of direction is good and this comes from his dad, and has a brilliant eye for observation and knowing where the park is and this has grown as he had a good memory quite early in his life and he instantly knows as we walk the same routes of where to go and where he can watch the trains, and knowing where the train station is, and it is important that he knows where he is going.

Photo by Taryn Elliott on Pexels.com

Doing errands and life skills. I from a young age was domesticated and many of my friend who would visit were surprised by that, vacuuming, cooking, laundry, grocery shopping and clean I just learned. I was quite slow at doing these things, but watching my Nan and my Mum, and from friends, these skills and habits were imbedded in me. . I still struggle with this habit, but I do a reset each week. I am currently doing an Autumn reset check out my blog site https://everyonecanbuildacastle.com This is going through different areas of my life and tidy up, complete tasks and projects, and reshaping my life so it can be better.

He knows where the food goes that we want to buy, and would help put items in the basket, he will tidy up his toys. He often needs reminded but he will without being told, tidy and its habits like that, that should become natural and that for me is a Keyword.

Photo by Ron Lach on Pexels.com

The other habit I have since being a kid, is being creative and my love of writing came from school and from Play school, and I remember my first day of school, we had to write a story, and the teacher would write it and then you copied. With my son at school it is very different now, but my son can write he just doesn’t always not want to do it. Yet he has improved and is now understands this his how he can communicate to his friends, and gonna make Christmas cards with him this year making sure he writes each week.

I love making cards and I see my son is enjoying this too, and is understanding now why he needs to write and do drawings, and as a kid we would always at school, practice our hand writing.

Photo by Allan Mas on Pexels.com

My son is beginning to come home from school and change his clothes and does this before he is allowed to play. He has come to learn about what the cooker is for and he will stir his food in the saucepan and where his plates go once finished. I did this at a early age too, and creating a routine which works around your kids, doing the same thing really does help their development and it did for me. The more they do something for themselves the more responsible they will become and this is from my own experience.

The on thing we have been really vigilant on is swearing. Kids will copy this and this is stemmed from my growing up, and yes I still swear but try my hardest not too, when my son isn’t around and replacing it with different no swearing words, as they will take this habit into school and so is a habit that definitely had to watch myself and thankfully he has learned that this is bad habit and I hope I am jinxing, has stopped doing.

It is all about learning and establishing good habits and stop the bad.

Just to let you know I have finished another book I have been writing, and is now published on amazon.com, called Mum&Me and so if you want to a good laugh then this book is for you. Its available on Kindle and Paperback.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Typical London Gal

Shopping Ideas Post about Buying for kids/Birthdays and other occasions

I used to write these blogs on my other site Carries Verstile fashion on WordPress too about Shopping ideas, but because I write about many topics and sites wanted to do a Shopping Ideas post, when it comes to buying for kids.

Thank you for your feedback on my posts really means the world and I do a video on my Youtube Channel called Truth About Parenting each week so here is a link to watch them, along with other topics:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUDFIqjVKLy7NhtcR6Hy0Tg

It can be tricky, especially when they are a sibling as they tend to, in my experience, receive hand-me-downs which i do recommend by the way, cause being a first time mother, it saved me a lot of money, and when you have other children to buy for being relatives, then it can be hard to know what to get them, when they change their favorite things all of the time.

They can have multiable things they like and so it is tricky to not get two of something. Often because of sibling rivalry you buy the other kids a gift in case the child who for example has a birthday, may get upset and it is good to do party bags for kids if it is birthday party.

When it comes to Chritmas I tend to do a theme for each year and try for example my nieces not getting something the other child has, and this can even be kids who have a huge age gap witht heir sibling.

Children also grow up so quickly and I was practically going through my son’s clothes and toys to hand down or to a charity shop.

With toys it can be hit and miss, as for me it has to be something my son is into and so I will observe what he currently likes and go with it for as long as I can before he becomes a fan of something else, and he is very much my son, as I as a child had many favourite gifts. Mine was beauty items, clothes or a record, and on year got a HiFi that I went ont using for years, and even now I have one. Its in my old home and when i do have my own place again will invest in one.

Choosing music is a great gift still so find out if they love in terms of music, and with digital technology you can make them their own compilation CD of songs they like.

The way to save money is to check out Charity shops, and that is where many of my son’s cuddly toys came from and books, and if you check Amazzon they will sell a series of books.

We have a store in the UK called The Works and they always have a deal on kids books and toys too.

Recycle gifts. I made Henry his own Advent Calendar, using boxes and toys from Christmas Craciers two years ago and would like to do the same this year too, and I used , toys received from Christmas Crackers and bought some other little toys from Pooundland, of course always make sure you supervise and wait until they are slightly older and no longer put objects in their mouths.

The other thing you can create is using recycliing items in your home to make thiings like spaceships or Airships out of plastic bottles, or reuse plastic containers from chinese restaurrant to make into gift boxes or to put little bits from games into and have them help orgainze the home, by making gifts you already have in your home.

I reuse Jewellery boxes as they are great items to use for other small gifs including giving all kids if having a birthday party, a keyring with their names on them inside.

Make them cupcakes with their names on them or homemade chocolates. Use milk coloured chocolate rather than dark as thart is better for making chocolates and for kids, or packages bags with smarties or fudge, if they like it.

So, never break the bank if on a low budget and you be surprised how you can create wonderful gifts that will be long term lasting memories.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

My New Book/Mum&Me

Aswell as writing blogs I am now writing books again and my book new unedited book “Mum&Me” is now available under my name Carrie Holmes on Amazon.com in Kindle version and two paperback version, a new edited version will be released soon see link below:

It is based on a Mother and Daughter relationship, how they doubt each others driving and often arguing over Elizabeth not being tidy and Elizabeth the main charactor gets annoyed with her mother obssessive purchasing on TV Shopping channels and buying items on the internet, but ends up ordering the wrong thing.

Then there is Gloria, who is Elizabeth’s arch rival with her false lips, face and boobs, and only time Elizabeth and her Mum agree on Gloria who is the head of her son’s school PTFA and asks for import but if it not one she agrees on, only she can nake the decisions, which gets on Elizabeth’s nerves.

So check it out and many thanks in advance if you do purchase it.

Carrie X

World Book Day/Teaching kids to write books

Hello and welcome! Here is a new Parenting blog paying homeage to World Book day and Teaching kids to write books.

I wrote stories as a kid all the time and I worry that this soon will go out of fashion, yet it is a wonderful skill to have and even my nieces all love to write, and one of them, even had a poem she wrote like me and this is not to steal her thunder, but it has lived on in the family, published and I would love to show you a lovely story that my niece Ava wrote in school about her seeing my son Henry for the first time, her cousin and it was lovely.

To help them find them a book they love and create their own story like it, not too copy but to help inspire them with ideas to get them started.

Have them create a vision board to help them write notes and allow them to be as imaginitive as possible and bring the stories to life.

This could be a good Homeschooling activity, and I think this should be part of the National Criccilum, as the world is calling out for more writers and it was one activity knowing I hated school, that I actually liked.

I used card stock to make Henry a homemade book about buses, and you can do the same with your kids to help with their writing skills. Find pictures from a kids magazine they can use to include in it, or print pictures online and there are personalised books you can make, which Henry has many of, and have them write a story about a happy memory they had and have them read it to each other.

Me and a girl named Helen, at Primary school, would often do this and it a good way to help then be confident with writing, as you can be very self conscious at first about writing as being a writer I often doubted myself over it, and it is practice makes perfect.

I do feel handwriting is still important even with digitial services available, and if they want to type it up, let them. This will help with their IT skills which are important now and have them share it with their friends, and I have just had a Brain wave, and that is Creating a Kids World book club, and I want to with a very cuddly friend have different people read children’s book with him.

Another good way is to make story worksheets and I am going to make some printables to help my children and your kids to help them write stories, and to help them create a vision board for them and write notes and what resources they could use also to help them.

So I hope this is helpful, not long now for our kids to return to school and have a wonderful weekend.

If you would like to see my recent Truth about parenting videos then please click on this link below:

Parent Mental Health

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie L.M X

P.S: Please remember you can follow me on this blog and be kept up to date of my blog posts on this site and all my content is added to my network site:

https://carriesblognetwork.squarespace.com

Choosing Books For Your kids!

Hello and god bless you! So if you haven’t seen my previous blog posts you’ll know that I am doing a Youtube series of videos called the Truth About Parenting check my play list I have put together with all my recent videos and they are published on Youtube every Thursday: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0AyektQNGDHQS_H-sYP1SS1xshX2NiVjs

So choosing books for your kids can depend on what they are interested in, but don’t be afraid to buy books not just for the age they are now, but when they get older.

I have saved many books I have read which would be suitable for kids for when Henry and other children I hope to have can read them, and I love a kids book and books by Roald Dahl are still great for kids, along with The Secret Seven, Famous Five and Billy The Kid and I have bought Henry his first book by David Walliams who is The Childrens book writer of this century.

If I said I was Enid Blyton I know there will be those who will say I am making it up so I’ll lie then should I? As I remember writing these stories at school and writing the name at the bottom of the page. Never be ashamed to take ownership if you are child writer too, as being unbelieved you are always going to get those sorts of people.

I am a lady of the classics and so I will be getting books like Oliver Twist, The Hobbit for when my kids are older and I hope they enjoy these too. I am not someone who goes back to books but stories by certain others I do.

Never be fearful of looking in Charity shops and Poundland, as they do great kids books too, along with The Works and they usually do a deal where you can by a group of books for like fiver or a tenner and on Amazon too.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=deals+on+childrens+books&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

If your child prefers to listen to stories rather than read then you can download and use the Audible APP.

https://www.audible.co.uk/

When you do, they will also get a free credit each month which they can put towards a book they like and I love having this on my phone and is great when you don’t have time to sit and read, it is a great alternative.

I will be doing videos soon, where I tell a Childhood story but have a better room to film and has better lighting. I also hope to be working along side some people when doing this.

So as we are in Lockdown because of the Pandemic, have a story time or a reading time. It is a great family relaxing thing and I love books and has been part of my life for 40 or so years.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie L.M X

P.S: All my blogs and videos are uploaded to my network site:

https://carriesblognetwork.squarespace.com

The Truth About Parenting/Dealing with Tantrums

Here is a new parenting video “The t=Truth About Parenting” Dealing with Tantrums and the bet approach in stopping them. I find not laying down punishment but talking to my son who starts to begin a tantrum is better, and a lot more effective.

Please see video below:

I talk about Jo Frost and I have watched her and read one of her books which were helpful and so if you be interested in one of her book then here is a link, and I too have written books myself on sharing my story of being a parent.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=jo+frost&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

Here are my books and there will be a new one coming out soon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=carrie+challoner+parenting+books&ref=nb_sb_noss

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie (L.M) X

P.S: I have a Pinterest board about parenting too and check out my other social media sites:

https://www.facebook.com/carriesblognetwork/

Tweets by Carrie82434764

Spending Time With your kids when there is a Lockdown

So Christmas is now over and we are in a Lockdown again and so could have a house full of bored kids, well fear not, as there are things you can still do, and that is have a kids Tea Party, and make loads of cakes, obviously may mean a trip to a Supermarket, but getting kids to bake is so rewarding and because they made them will eat them.

Image from: Deposite photos

The other thing you can do is buy gifts for them where they have to build things, or even things like empty boxes, Tins, Food Pots and Tags off of clothes. You know you get those little Ribbon bits on your clothes, which are for hanging them, cut these off and they make brilliant ribbons for handmade gift tags.

Have a movie day or evening with picky bits, and have all your kids in the Living room and play back to back movies. This time of year they usually put on some films which are family favourites, such as Home Alone, ET, Wizard of Oz or The Sound of Music.

The other things you can get them to do, is to create Thank you letters or cards to Santa, but to family who helped Santa choose their gifts. I know there are many shops still closed but you can still order bits online and there are Stationary shops like Whsmiths open.

Have them create home videos to Thank Santa for the gifts they got and post it to the family who helped buy their gifts.

Image from: 123FR.com

If your kids were given vouchers have them search for some items, as gift cards can still be used online, to buy with them or have them make a list of items they would like to buy with their gift cards, then see if the items they would like are available to purchase.

Play games like musical chairs, musical statues, give us a clue a home favourite, but I did used to cheat and my brother too, as he would talk which is not part of the game or board games or teach your children some card games.

The Classics are still going strong and my son loves Playing Connect 4. At Secondary school me and my friends created a Connect 4 championship where you can win a cup, which I earned and felt like making a speech, but then the bell went.

Image from: https://www.kindpng.com/

Create a lucky dip. So easy to make. All you need is a cardboard box, some newspaper or tissue paper, cellotape and wrap some little toys or L.O.L balls, and get each child to pick out a hidden present in the lucky dip box. Remember to put a slot in the box or play another classic pass the parcel.

Buy a small Karoake machine and why not invite some of your friends children for a playdate. I know we aren’t supposed to have huge numbers in one place, but 2 to 3 kids extra I don’t see what harm they can do, just make sure when they come into your home that they wash their hands and if they have a cold and you feel that they should stay away then let their parents know, but remember they are kids, so should not be excluded but you can send them a little something from you and tell them when they are better that they can come to a playdate another time, that will still put a smile on their faces and give them an extra present too or create them a personal lucky dip, with hidden items in.

I know we are in Lockdown but we should not allow us to be restricted.

The other thing you can do is create food parcels for friends or family, and have the kids deliver them to their neighbourhood. The one thing we can get out of this year is doing regular acts of kindness, as I bet there were a lot of people on their own and thinking about this, does break my heart and I wrote a blog on one of my other sites talking about this too: https://carrieseverydayliving.wordpress.com/2020/12/24/christmas-wishes-covid-thinking-about-those-on-their-own-at-christmas/

Another thing that you can do is buy your kids a Scrapbooking kit and use many different types of craft paper and glue, and stamps. I as a kid loved putting things into my scrapbooks of what I loved at the time and store many memories. These are great things to do, that create fantastic memories and can share when they return to school, or when they have kids of their own.

I am a big believer that kids should be allowed to be kids and have many different activities and have sweets, and be able to just be, instead of being controlled all of them time.

I loved it when I was able to playout on my Estate I lived, as a kid and pretend to be mums and skate and ride our bikes, that is a childhood, not being told you can’t do this and can’t do that. Just let them be a child and enjoy their childhood with many games and things that make them look forward to.

We should still be able to have fun and enjoy the time we have with our kids, and why not if you have a fireplace, lite it, with a hot chocolate and all chill watching some good Post Christmas TV.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie (L.M) X

My experience with breastfeeding

Hello and welcome to another blog post. In this post I am going to talk about my experience with breastfeeding, because I had real trouble when my son was born seven years ago, to express milk and breastfeed, as Henry would not latch on and it really stressed me out, as I suppose I took it for granted or was naïve to the fact of how difficult it would be. I thought it would naturally happen, but didn’t and when I only got a bit out into a syringe, I felt defeated.

I was told to help my milk come out to do all they say, massage the breast, use a warm flannel and rest as much as possible, but it took me ages and was told that I had to keep trying and expressing for 8 to 12 times a day, but after Henry was born, and I hadn’t slept for an entire three days on the trot from when my waters broke on the Saturday, I was completely exhausted.

Any how I kept trying and finally got the first part of the milk the Colostrum, which is really important especially for baby’s who were born premature. If I had known it would be that difficult I would have had breastfeeding counselling before hand, and not have bought a manual pump as they are hard work, and not good when you are hormonal and feel like punching my boobs at one point because I could only manage a little amount to come out.

In the end I did get an electrical breast pump, which I would totally recommend and being in the special care unit they had one there too, that I could use and did make all the difference.

I hope this does not put you off, because if I do have another child I would still breastfeed as it is more natural than formula, but in the end, because even by expressing a lot I still didn’t produce enough for Henry, gave Henry some of my milk along with formula milk.

The formula milk they recommended was SMA, and then because Henry had really bad eczema as he began to grow during the summer, which had become infected, so had to use Steroid cream prescribed by our GP, as over the counter creams didn’t work, I changed his formula milk to HIPP, which was an organic formula milk and did help his eczema a lot.

I still though would have preferred Henry to have my milk instead, because formula milk can cause constipation, and so to stop that you then have to start making them drink some water, which at first Henry was not interested in and can make their pooh very hard.

With breastmilk, they can have pooh explosions, but is best when they get constipated can effect their eating and in take of milk, when it is formula.

I in the end I still kept trying to see if Henry would drink from my breast, realised that he was not going to, and felt so guilty. I did speak to a breastfeeding nurse, who was recommended to me, as there was a medication I could take that would help my breastmilk, but I couldn’t take that because of having a heart condition.

Once I bought Henry home, I talked to the Health Visitor who said, that if it is stressing me out that much, as I did also have Postnatal Depression, to stop if I wanted to, because as long as my son had my milk in his first month, then it is fine and just enjoy getting to know my baby, rather then stressing over breastfeeding.

So I hope this had not scared you in anyway, that truly is not my intention. I just wanted to write this, because noone mentions his in any baby book , of how difficult breastfeeding can be, should you have trouble too. I have shared this in my first book of The Parenting Adventures- Pregnancy to the first nine months aswell, which is available from Amazon.com.

Never be fearful though if you are expecting to discuss this during your prenatal visits and it does not matter about size of a breast either, and have learned that some woman have milk pouring out of their boobs and some don’t, its like a toss of a coin unfortunately, just do what you can. However the more prepared you are, the more reassured you will feel.

The most important thing is to enjoy your new baby and getting to know them as it is a life changing experience, and does overwhelm you, and make the most of them being tiny, as they do grow so quickly.

If you didn’t read my previous post, then I am raising money for the charity Tommy’s who carry out a lot of research into stillbirths and premature births, and do an amazing job helping NICU departments in hospitals to care for tiny babies and those babies that have died at birth, by supporting parents who have gone through such a sad time in their lives.

Here is the link to my JustGiving Page:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/theparentingadventuresprematurebirths

So I am going to end this blog here, but should you have any questions on this topic then please do ask by writing a comment below.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Getting ready for the new school year

I know we still have a few weeks left of the summer holidays, but as the weeks seem to fly by, it will soon be another school year.

First tip# Have all your school uniform in one place, so you can just take it out and go through it, and do some checking by having your children try on the uniform to see what they have grown out of, and what items they will need for the next year, that will fit them.

This will give you time to get some new bits rather than waiting to order items at the last minute.

Second tip# Label everything with your child’s name on it, even their underwear, as Henry still has the odd accident and also their socks. You can either use stickers, or write on the label or like Emily Norris showed in one of her videos, which I will link, used a stamp to label her children’s clothes and it was strong ink so it wouldn’t rub off.

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I CRIED EDITING THIS VIDEO! HACK, BACK TO SCHOOL & DAY IN OUR LIFE | Emily Norris

Look for second hand uniform as some items don’t need to be brand new as they do grow so quickly and then you can reuse it for your next child, if you have more than one child.

Third tip# If your school does a uniform sale, which follows on to what I said above, that is second hand uniform, just make sure you relabel it with your child’s name and you wash it first before it is worn, as it would have been handled by many people, before it needs to be worn by your child.

The night before the school year terms starts, hang each child’s uniform in their room or if they get dressed in the Living room then have it hanging in their for the morning.

Tip 4# To help save you time, do a check list and to help your child to be independent give them individual check lists so they can go through their bags and clothes to make sure they have it already for school the next day.

new-year-of-school-check-listDownload

kids-check-listDownload

Tip 5# Do a block schedule, so you can print one out or make one, as I have done for my personal planner and my financial planner. I am going to update block schedule by having separate google calendars for school dates, work and personal.

Using google calendar is great as you can take it wherever you go on your phone and set reminders for other things you need to remember.

Tip 6# Make Fridays your clear out day, so you have a good clear out of their school bags, wash all uniform including PE Kit and sports wear, update their diary and check for any homework that is due.

When it comes to homework set a plan of when you will do homework each day and show them. Give your child a schedule so they to can see when they will have homework, when they will have play time, dinner and then bed.

Tip 7# Start looking at booking afterschool clubs, if you would like your child to stay on after schools finishes especially if you work full time, and/or just want some extra time during the day, then book as soon as new places become available. My son’s school have already put the forms up ready and so we have filled this in.

When it comes to choosing an afterschool club, and are not sure if you child will be happy to go to one, then you usually have to contact the actual club organisers which are separate from the school, and ask if your child can try it out first. Some may say no, but there is no harm in asking. Usually when it comes to school clubs, because they are a separate company to the school, they won’t do 1 to 1 care, like they do during the school day, so if you are unsure then I would wait until your child is a more independent and can change their clothes on their own, can go the toilet by themselves and not reliant on another person.

You will soon know when your child is ready and when you do know, get in quick as going on my own knowledge, places for afterschool clubs can fill up very quickly.

Tip 8# Get them prepared for the new school year. At my son’s school they did a couple of transition days towards the end of the last year, and with Henry they did the transition for him the week before whilst he was attending school after Lockdown, and they have created a book about his new year in September to help us get him prepared.

You can do the same, just ask if you can take pictures but make sure you don’t post them on social media to protect your child and other children. In the booklet show them where their classroom will be and look like, where their pegs are going to be, who will be their teacher and assistant teachers and where they will have playtime and lunch.

Tip 9# If your child has not attended that school before or it is their first year, then do a trial run of the journey. Often at schools they will do a Moving up day or a introduction days, so they can get to know their new surroundings, there maybe some children they may already know , because often the nurseries they have been to, if local they will take the children over to the school so they can see what it is like then too. Don’t be surprised if they are a little bit daunted as it is a huge transition from nursery to school, as there are more rules and regulations that we as a parents have to follow and for our children.

There is a brilliant learning activity book that Henry chose with some money he was given and bought it from The Works, and it is a Let’s get ready for School Activity kit, and it has a activity book, instructions for parents of how to use the kit and has a book about starting school and what he will need.

Tip 10# So you can get ready before your kids have to, set your alarm half an hour to an hour before your children wake up, if they tend to wake up late. If they are like my son and early bird, then I don’t really need an alarm, because he is my alarm and gets up anytime between 4am to 6am, so no chance for me to get up before hand, as this means getting up at 3am.

So I have my shower, clothes hung up and picked for the next day, along with my sons uniform and bags packed by the door, so all I have do is get myself dressed, get my son dressed and have breakfast and then off to school.

When it comes to the school run it is always a mad dash, but if you can prepare and plan ahead it will help with the mad rush and concentrate on getting there.

There will be more blogs and tools to come for getting your kids ready for the new school term, so please keep a look out for posts and more printables.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Teaching kids to read

Hello and welcome to another blog. Today I am talking about Teaching Kids to Read, because I think it an important skill to teach.

They need to learn to read for their own wellbeing, and so it is important children read 3-4 times a week, to understand words and their meaning.

• Henry loves a good book and so do I. To begin try simple stories and rhymes, and books with just pictures without the words, and go over what they think is happening in each picture.

The one thing reading a book used to do, was calm Henry down, because when he was younger would often be quite grumpy after his nap in the afternoon, and it took reading a book calmly and softly, with music, to calmed him, and he would be happy again.

• One way of getting Henry to identify words with sounds and pictures, was by using flashcards aswell as books.

Learning a word is one thing, but knowing what it means is another.

Henry knew from me reading to him what simple words like “Lunch” meant “Come here”, and getting him to read from an early age has really made huge difference. I find it helps with pronunciation, writing and they becoming more engaging.

• Practicing reading by using Phonics books. Henry’s school has provided him with a couple of these books and what they do is help with the sound of the word.

Example: C__U__P

• Use wall charts with words, letters, numbers and pictures. Great investment and Henry uses these a lot when learning at home, to help identify words and what they mean.

Please check this link for an example:

The one thing Henry would do is jump words in sentences so the next tip is,

• Get them to say a sentence which they are stuck on a few times before moving on, and break it down for them. Doing the phonic books are great for this and then they will become fluent in reading those books
• Let them choose a story from their collection, and to help do a silly voice or accent to help keep them engaged and get them to read a few larger sentences in the book aswell
• Invest in a Easel a great tool to put up words, and the one thing we did was practice a word a day, and what it meant.
• Use seasonal celebrations to help with their  reading, so read an easter book or a book about Christmas. Helps keep their momentum to read at a high, and Henry will often just pick up a book now and try and read it himself.

So I hope you are coping okay with this Lockdown, it can be boring even though yes it is important, but doing different activities like reading, can help break down the day.

Many thanks for reading,

 

Carrie X