In this blogpost, I’ll talk about why you might want to consider bringing Forest School into your baby room practice. We’ll explore what Forest School is and what it means to adapt it for babies. I’ll offer a set of principles that can help you to develop Forest School practice in your particular baby room,Continue reading “Forest School for Babies”
Author Archives: msakrmdx
Responding to a baby’s nervous system
In this post, I’ll share a basic overview of a baby’s nervous system as understood through polyvagal theory. Polyvagal theory helps us to make sense of the different nervous states that a baby can be in, and this in turn, helps to shape how we respond to babies. What is the nervous system? The nervousContinue reading “Responding to a baby’s nervous system”
Fostering secure attachment in the baby room – part 2
In the first part of this two-part blogpost series, we looked at the four attachment styles: secure, avoidant, ambivalent and disorganised attachment. We explored how they each manifest in babies as well as adults, and the early interaction patterns that can reinforce them. This is a strong foundation to then consider how we can practicallyContinue reading “Fostering secure attachment in the baby room – part 2”
Fostering secure attachment in the baby room – part 1
Have you ever behaved in an adult relationship in a way that you didn’t, deep down, want to behave? Have you ever started an argument when you didn’t really want to? Have you ever clung onto someone even when you knew you actually needed to let them go? Have you ever shut down and distancedContinue reading “Fostering secure attachment in the baby room – part 1”
Creative outdoor provocations for babies
Getting outdoors with babies can be difficult. There is always a lot to consider in the transition from indoors to outdoors (Outdoor play experiences in the baby room). But even once you’re outside with babies, there can still be challenges. We tend to romanticise outdoor play and assume that every child, including every baby, isContinue reading “Creative outdoor provocations for babies”
Baby-led planning: What is it and how do you do it?
In this blogpost, I’m going to share the principles of baby-led planning: As I talk it through, I’ll prompt you to go through a process relating to the babies in your baby room so that you can do some baby-led planning while you’re reading. What is baby-led planning? Baby-led planning is the process of respondingContinue reading “Baby-led planning: What is it and how do you do it?”
FREE baby room booklet – order your copy now
I’ve written a super practical and visual guide to the baby room in collaboration with Community Playthings. It’s free to order (yes, you’ll get a lovely copy in the actual post completely for free!) or download immediately. It could work really well as an induction resource for any members of your baby room team whoContinue reading “FREE baby room booklet – order your copy now”
Baby, what are you discovering?
A six month old baby is mouthing a metal whisk they’ve picked up from the treasure basket. What discoveries are they making? Babies are always asking questions about the world around them. In this case, the baby might be asking: When we see babies’ actions in terms of discovery, we become so much moreContinue reading “Baby, what are you discovering?”
Musical creativity in the baby room – Part 1
In part 1 of this blogpost series, I’m going to talk about why we need to bring musical creativity into the baby room. In part 2, I’ll share some reflective prompts that will help you to reflect on what you’re currently doing and what you might do next. So if you’re already convinced that youContinue reading “Musical creativity in the baby room – Part 1”
Musical creativity in the baby room – Part 2
In the first part of this series, we looked at why it’s so important to embrace musical creativity in the baby room. In this second part, I’ll introduce some reflective prompts to get you reflecting as a baby room team on what you’re doing at the moment and what you might want to develop forContinue reading “Musical creativity in the baby room – Part 2”