Teaching the alphabet is one of the most fundamental and essential skills a parent can pass on to their kids. Start from a young age, take pleasure in seeing them off on their life-long journey of learning and communication – oh, and don’t forget to make it fun for them too!

 1)    Rubbings & Tracings

Cut out the letters of your child’s name from cardboard and glue them onto a firm board. Then have the child draw over it with a crayon to make a rubbing. Alternatively you can get them to just trace around the shapes (using tracing paper) to get familiar with each letter.

2)    Magnetic Letters & Shapes

Put the letters of your child’s name on a magnetic board, and get them to arrange them correctly. For younger kids you might want write the name on the board (using dry erase marker) let him / her try to copy and match the letters

 3)    Magnetic Letters & Shapes

Put the letters of your child’s name on a magnetic board, and get them to arrange them correctly. For younger kids you might want write the name on the board (using dry erase marker) let him / her try to copy and match the letters

 4)    Play a ‘Letter Game’

When you are out and about, play a game where you spot things starting with a particular letter or just hunt for a particular letter on advertising boards, shop signs, car reg plates, sign posts etc. Start with A and work your way through the alphabet.

 5)    Sing the Alphabet Song

We all remember the “ABC..” song. Kids love singing so this is a great way to encourage participation and memory.

 6)    Alphabet Memory Game

Using either alphabet flashcards or a homemade equivalent, get the child to match the capital letters to their lowercase version. When they get it right ask them to tell you what the letter is.

 7)    Make Alphabet Dough or Biscuits

Should be easy to get them involved in this one! Get some alphabet cookie-cutters or alternatively use icing to write the letter on each biscuit. ! Alternatively just use play dough to get your child shaping different letters

8)    Letters and Objects. Another Alphabet Game

A very simple, but effective game. Start with the letter A. “A is for ant”, “B is for balloon”, “C is for cloud”, etc. If the child is older you can introduce a theme. E.g.: “alphabet animals”. This has the bonus of getting them to sort and think about letter and animals

9)    Alphabet Bingo

This works best if there are a few kids together. Prepare some bingo cards using letters instead of numbers and proceed as normal. The winner is the first to get a line or full house!

10)    Create an Alphabet Book

Buy a blank scrap book and set up a page for each letter. Find words and pictures from old magazines that have that letter on it. Encourage your child to copy each letter at a time.

....and remember, we have some fabulous 'alphabet' related products in our educational toys range Below a few of our current customer favourites...... click the image for details.

© 2012 little sardines ltd

Speech Development is currently a very 'hot topic'. The Government have even appointing a "champion of communication" (very Government sounding title, I know!) to seek improvements in this area.

With this in mind we have pulled together some tips for getting your child speaking like Shakespeare (well, sort of!) as soon as possible.

Baby / toddler stage:

• Refer to good quality picture books and posters. Read them together.
• Point to real life objects regularly, and name them clearly.
• Do not have the TV on 'in the background'
• Use a lot of eye contact and hugs to provide encouragement.
• Sing nursery rhymes together
• Involve the child in your activities. Get them helping and thinking -eg holding the basket, passing money to the cashier etc

From Age 2 Onwards

• Try not to have too much instructional conversations ("put on your shoes...NOW!!" sort of thing!) - Or at least mix them in with discussion style chat.
• Try to elicit opinions and get your child thinking about cause and effect. The more their brain is 'in gear' the keener they will be to find new words. This will be a continual process as the child grows up. Try to always challenge (but not overwhelm) them to think more carefully and deeply and find the words to express their thoughts.
• Don't shy away from your normal vocabulary, or over simplify things. Not all conversation has to be in very simple 'baby language'. Kids will benefit from having some extra adverbs and adjectives at their disposal.
• Gradually introduce new books with more complex ideas and sentence structures. It is fine to still have lots of pictures to supplement the reading and act as prompts and points of reference.
• Don't be too pushy or set your expectations too high. This could actually be counterproductive and turn the child off. Learning has to be fun in the early stages. They don't really need to be reading James Joyce at pre-school age!
• Make it a habit to read to your child every day - preferably at a quiet time such as bedtime. The TV is fine but just don't let it dominate.
• Consider some of the electronic toys and gadgets to help. For example the Leappad or Innotab devices are now very clever and sophisticated (think ipad for kids!). Sadly, just like their ipads cousins, they are also very expensive (and breakable!).

Remember language and vocabulary is a wonderful thing. Not only does it allow us to communicate with each other but equally importantly it allows us to form complex thoughts and reasoning in our heads. We can also express wishes or emotions without getting frustrated like very young kids. This is one of the reasons why you get so many wonderful questions from toddlers once they grasp the basics!

As a general guideline babies usually work out the very basic meaning of words at about 10 months. They will start to use a few of these between 12-15months. By the age of about 3 most children can talk in short sentences and be said to be fluent around the age of 4. Of course this is just a guideline and will vary from child to child. Note the process can appear to go into reverse during the teenage years when mobile phones, texting, Facebook etc dominate! :-)

Happy Chatting....

© Little Sardines Ltd. Feb 2012. All rights reserved.

For many the idea of 'traditional toys' seems obsolete - something from the "good old days" but this simply isn't true. There are still plenty of traditional toys out there - old-fashioned wooden blocks, wooden pull toys, rag dolls, and the like. You just have to know where to find them - or how to make them yourself if you are feeling adventurous! It may be some effort but a homemade wooden toy will last a lifetime and can be passed on by your own children. Such items will be cherished far more and far longer than throw away plastic.

Remember, babies and toddlers in particular don't need fancy or expensive toys with flashing lights and lots of sounds to have fun (although of course they like them too!). It's a cliché - a cardboard boy is still one of the best toddler toys about!

If you decide to make something yourself it will open you up to the world of crafts and creativity, which you can eventually share with your children as they get older. Soon, you won't be making toys for them, but with them! How exciting is that? Sewing projects and woodworking are the two leaders when it comes to traditional toy making. No matter what your skill or talent, there's something you can make. Look online. There is a wealth of free tutorials, patterns, and instructions. So, go on have a go at it, you'll be surprised how satisfying it is!

When you provide traditional or educational toys for your kids you're not just taking a walk down memory lane. Some of these items benefit your kids surprisingly well. Traditional toys, much more so than their modern alternatives actually help your kids expand their minds and imagination. Plain old sturdy toys are the best educational toys for kids in the long run. They inspire creativity and exploration. With modern toys, there's often nothing to really think about and most of the time kids are just emulating what they've seen on TV.

A toy box filled with traditional toys - ones that you've made or purchased - invoke your child's ability to create, innovate, and invent. These cherished possessions are passively educational - your child's imagination will grow and expand without them even realising it! Old-fashioned wooden toys like building blocks, puzzles, wooden cars and pull-toys encourage lateral thinking, problem-solving skills, and even fine motor skills. Ironically traditional toys are actually often a lot safer than modern ones. There are less choking hazards, less worry about lead-based paints, no leaking batteries or electrical parts, and are less likely to break when chewed on.

Ultimately, these types of toys endure the test of time. Though many parents went through a stage of eliminating them from their children's lives, traditional toys are definitely back for 2012! Sales are rising and the interest in parents making their own toys has soared too.

Traditional wooden toys can last generations and stay the course when modern toy trends come and go. So, if you haven't already, set aside some time to try and make something, or find a quality shop  that specialises in wooden and educational toys, like we do at Little Sardines.

See our own range of traditional toys for some great gift ideas...

Well, until now I assumed we all shared the same parenting woes - and the strategies for dealing with them. Then along comes Pamela Druckerman with her new book, "French Children Don't Throw Food: Parenting Secrets from Paris" which seems to suggest a very different approach among our Gallic neighbours.

The book has been hitting the headlines a lot recently. As always this topic is a minefield of prickly emotions and established opinions. Druckerman has however seen both sides (she is American journalist living in Paris) and does offer some simple yet effective strategies with her well researched and witty writing.

So in case you were wondering...yes, it seems French kids do (generally) sleep longer, eat better quality food (and keep it on the table!), and are more obedient to their parents. Feel free to disagree if you are a French teenager who like McDonalds and has an asbo - but I have to say it did whet me appetite to find out more.

So back to Ms Druckerman and her book. The best option is to just buy it and see for yourself; but while you are contemplating a visit to your favourite bookstore we have helpfully extracted some of the main ideas for your consideration and comment.

Let them know who's boss: ...or as the French parents say: "C'est moi qui décide!” young children are often (unnecessarily) burdened with choice. ("Would Florence like to wear the red cardigan or the pink one today" sort of thing!). Establish your authority and let them grow gradually into making decisions instead.
Teach your child to respond clearly and individually to adults as soon as they can talk. For example they should be able to clearly and confidently say "Helllo", "Goodbye", "Please may I have...." etc directly to an adult with you having to finish their sentences off for them. Often children hide behind the greetings of their parents. In France each child is addressed individually and expected to answer independently too. This gives them more of an individual responsibility and identity.

Establish a 'killer look' - "les gross yeux" - that will stop children in their tracks. Of course this has to be 'earned'. The child needs to know that if they ignore your 'look' there will be consequences. Linked to this is the ability to just say "no". Sounds very simple but as we all know much harder in practice. French parents (apparently) have much less qualms about really putting their foot down and making the child understand that no means no. Ultimately it establishes more certainty for the child and more authority for you - but no one is pretending it doesn't take a bit of effort and perseverance to get there!

Cut out snacking. French kids tend to get one snack -or goûter- after they get home from school. This tends to mean they are hungry when it comes to meal times and (surprise surprise) concentrate more on eating their meals in an orderly fashion.

Finally, remember to Let Kids Play -with each other and even on their own. The Anglo-American model tends to push us towards enrolling our children in all sorts of classes and lessons from a young age. The French on the other hand focus more on unstructured play, imagination, and quietly getting on with it.

So...hopefully a bit of food for thought? Let us know in the comments section below what you think - especially if you have read the book.

If you want to buy the book you can get it from most bookstores. Here is a link to Waterstones - our  bookshop of choice http://bit.ly/wrJk6u (Note we have no commercial interest or incentive in promoting this book or Waterstones)

"Entrepreneurship is based on selling. You test the market with a product you think will sell well. If it does, you keep selling. If it doesn't, you try something else.

The main idea is that to start and grow a small business you must develop a pragmatic, action-oriented mentality. Rather than spend too much time and money refining theoretical ideas, you develop a prototype quickly and then see if the market will buy it.

For every business that fails because of poor planning there are a dozen that never get off the
ground because of too much planning.

Want to start a business selling diamond-studded collars for kitty cats? Fine. There are two ways to go about that:

1. You can spend most of your time and money manufacturing a line of such collars - and only after that is done, start to think about how you can sell it.

2. You can make a single collar and go down to the local flea market or your neighborhood pet shop and see if you can find a customer for it.

Most people start businesses the first way. That's why most businesses fail.

But with the Ready, Fire, Aim approach, you devote 80 percent of your initial resources to discovering an efficient way to sell the product. Once you have done that, you have found the
key to successfully market it. With that key in your pocket, you don't have to worry about all the other problems that will arise in the natural course of business. You won't have to worry, because you will be able to create the one thing that can solve almost every business problem: cash flow.

Here, in a nutshell, is what I mean by Ready, Fire, Aim:

Ready: Get your product idea ready. Make it good enough to sell. Don't worry about making it perfect. There will be time enough for that later.

Fire: Start selling it. Sell it every way you can. Test different offers. Test different ad copy. Test different media. Keep testing until you discover something that works.
This is your Optimum Selling Strategy (OSS).

Aim: Expand your customer base by focusing on your OSS. As your customer base grows, develop business procedures to accommodate that growth. Hire the best people you can to
manage your business. Discover, through "back-end" marketing tests, other products and services that your customers will buy. Use those discoveries to refine and perfect a fast-selling line. As this back-end business flushes cash into your company, invest a good deal of that cash into front-end
marketing.

That is the cycle of a successful start-up venture.

Ready, Fire, Aim doesn't mean you are willing to be sloppy.
Nor does it mean you are willing to sell second-rate products to your customers. On the contrary, Ready, Fire, Aim is the only truly practical way to find out what your market really wants from you.

And for a small business, Ready, Fire, Aim is the best way to get from good to great.

Think of it this way: When we say we have "a great new product idea," what do we really mean? When I say that, I mean I have a strong feeling that the product will sell well - that it will be a big, commercial success.

But the truth is, I have only a hunch about how well my idea will do. Experience has taught me that my hunches are often right... but not always. If I spend too much time and energy preparing a business based on a hunch, what happens if the hunch doesn't pan out?

What happens is that I'm left with nothing - no money or materials or energy - to start over again. The essence of entrepreneurship is the ability to try and fail and then try again. You can't do that if you blow your wad the first time you try.

So nowadays when I get the feeling that I have a great idea,
I figure out how I can test that idea as quickly and as
cheaply as possible.

Once I know the idea has "legs," then I can roll out a sales program. And once a successful sales program is underway, I can refine and improve the product. The truth is, I can never perfect a product in isolation. I used to think I could, but, once again, experience has taught me the arrogance of that kind of thinking.

To get from good to great, you need the help of superstar employees and, most of all, feedback from your customers. The best customer feedback comes not from surveys or focus groups but from marketing results. Find out what your customers want by selling things to them. This gets you back into the Ready, Fire, Aim loop."

1) Get some space

Don't try to be a hero and 'be there' every minute. There is really no sense in knackering both you and your partner out. This 'divide and conquer' theory works great in theory but for some reason most couples feel the need to experience the pain together - all the time! Try sloping away (for a few minutes, hours, or ideally days). Just remember though it's not 1950, so you may be called upon to reciprocate at some point! (Best keep your Mum's phone number on speed dial for these occasions ;-)

2) Treats

Don't forget the treats. Keeping your focus on a nice big glass (no, not a bottle!) of quality red wine, G&T, single malt - whatever - can really get you through some rough patches during the day. Just remember to stay in control. You won't be much use to anyone if you're  quaffing 3 large vodkas & OJ before breakfast each morning!

3) Accept that your life has changed forever

Oh yes it has! Casanova, your clubbin days are ova' as the song says! You will spend your time and money on VERY different things for the next 20 years than what you are used to up until now. Life is a process of change anyway. Those that embrace and manage it will always get more from life and have more positive energy. Don't worry the world isn't out to get you...it just seems that way!

4) Retreat to base

..otherwise known as 'the spare room'. Once in a while a good solid uninterrupted nights sleep is all it takes. It can work wonders on the mind and body and see you though the next few days with a spring in your step (well for the first few hours anyway!). This is especially useful if you getting up early everyday for a stressful day at work.

5) Master the Sky+ (or equivalent).

This is more of a 'damage limitation' tip really. ie if you must be up at 3am for an hour at least try to use the time constructively. As we all know, men are great at multi-tasking (ahem) so there is no reason why you can't wind the baby and watch an episode of Mad Men or The Wire at the same time. For the slightly more ambitious / dexterous, texting, emailing, or tweeting while on baby duty could also be an option (ahhh the wonders of smartphones!). Probably best to leave preparing that Powerpoint presentation for the Board until another time though - oh and watch for baby's head lolling around too much (this is not good!).

6) Positive thinking and mind control.

The 'problem' with most situations is not so much the events themselves, but rather how you perceive them and react to them. Do whatever you need to, to cultivate a strong positive mental attitude (music, meditation, determination, books - whatever). See your problems in the context of time and the greater issues of the world.  (eg, even if it seems bad getting up at 3am be grateful that you are not a Chilean miner (for example) stuck under 1km of solid rock in a dark room with 30 other blokes for a month with no roast dinners or red wine! -see doesn't seem so bad now does it!).

7) Don't fall into self-pity or despair.

Talk openly to your partner and your friends, or get some comments off your chest online (blogs, twitter etc), if you're the 'strong silent' type. Just sharing your experience can be cathartic in itself. It will be tough (oh sorry, didn't they tell you?) for the first few months in particular. Accept that. Take it on the chin and just 'get on with it'.

8) Be (very) considerate of your partner.

Tough as it seems to you, the likelihood is that your partner is even more on the front line (unless you are a very modern man!). Don't get into petty arguments (if you are wrong admit it, if you are right shut the **** up!). It's not about being 'right' anyway. It's ultimately about creating a loving environment for you your partner and your children. Remember that!

9) Take the long view

Things never seem as bad in the rear view mirror. We all like to moan, and exchange various tales of woe and hardship from our past - some even revel in it (I'm thinking Frank McCourt & Angela's Ashes here for example!). Try to take the positive from each stage. Remember you (or your baby) will never being coming back this way again, so take pleasure in the little things, and look forward to a life to love and learning together. Anyway, you need some lows to enjoy the highs all the better!

10 ) Finally...Remember what a privilege you have been given.

EVERYONE is effected greatly by their Mum and Dad. Try to remember what an enormous privilege you have been given, to actively shape your son or daughter's personality, and ultimately their future. Note, this is not an opportunity to try to create a 'mini-me' and re-live your life - but without all the mistakes!  For sure, point out the pitfalls - try to improve on what you learned (or didn't learn!) from your parents, but also try to refrain from having too fixed an idea of what you want your offspring to turn out like. (That way you will be less disappointed when they become a drummer with Bon Jovi, or an accountant!). There are so many ways your child can flourish and find happiness. Try to encourage them to find their own path.

Bringing a child into the world is the one thing that will give you most satisfaction on your death-bed (more than making millions, having the latest iPhone, or holding the 1989 tequilla record at Sergios Beach Shack). It a very real and tangible contribution to the human race, and comforting to know some little part of you will continue on after you have departed!
Hang in there my friends...Apparently it is all worth it in the end!

We at Little Sardines will be studying the list as always and possibly stocking more of these items over the coming weeks. Keep an eye on our news page for updates www.littlesardines.com/news-and-press

CATEGORY: Winning toy (Supplier)

1) BABY: Clutching Toys (Haba)

2) CREATIVE PLAY: Moon Dough (Spin Master)

3) CONSTRUCTION: LEGO Star Wars Slave I™ (LEGO)

4) DOLLS: Barbie Video Girl (Mattel)

5) ECO: Natural Wood Noah’s Ark (Lanka Kade)

6) EDUCATIONAL: My ABC (Fiesta Crafts)

7) ELECTRONIC: Buzz Lightyear Star Command Laptop (VTech)

8) GAMES & PUZZLES: Brainbox (Green Board Games)

9) MODELS: Doctor Who 11 Doctors Collectors Set (Character Options)

10) WOODEN: Cutting Food Box (Melissa & Doug)

This list is based on a survey of 612 independent toy store owners who were asked to send their recommendations for the best toy of the year from ten different categories. They were free to choose any products they liked - no shortlists were drawn up and no suppliers were informed that voting was taking place.

We concentrated on the outdoors for our first post (ever the optimist!) but as today has proved the great British summer is not made up of endless days of balmy sunshine. Hence here are some suggestions for what to play with the kids when the outdoors is not an option. I have purposely left out all activities based around TV and video games, as I am assuming your children don't need any extra encouragement in that department!

1) MAKE IT QUICK – I’VE ONLY GOT 30 MINUTES

• playing cards
• I -Spy
• Puzzles
• Telling jokes and stories
• Spelling and word games
• Piggy in the middle
• Trivia (Dads are good at this!)
• Rock paper scissors
• Charades
• Washing up / unloading the dishwasher (well, its worth a try!)

2) I CAN SPARE AN HOUR:

• Arts and crafts
• Role play
• Stamp / Sticker collection
• Play dough
• Knitting (yes, some people still do!)
• Cooking
• Board games (Scrabble anyone?)
• Play / learn an instrument
• Reading
• Writing letters (maybe even without a computer -gasp!)

3) I’M GETTING INTO THIS -  I’M CLEAR FOR A HALF DAY…

• Baking
• Museum (but choose carefully as two hours of ancient Greece could be a tough call)
• Bowling
• Cinema
• Build a den
• Have a fashion show
• Ice skating
• Start a scrap book
• Sort through old photos (did you really look like that in the 70's Dad?!)
• Trip to the library - great for impromptu learning
• Start a diary

4) FULL ON – ALL DAY TO PLAY!

• Go and visit friends or grandparents (preferably let them know first though!)
• Visit to the aquarium
• Combine a number of activities into a days event
• Build a piece of furniture or garden shed. (or stick to some IKEA assembly if that is beyond your remit/skills)

We hope that gives you some food for thought on the rainy days? Feel free to add to the list – it is only bound by your imagination!

Enjoy!!

James Rackard, Director, www.littlesardines.com

It is always worth making time to play with your children (or your family / friend's children). You will be surprised how much it can boost you own mood too, to get involved in the energy and joy of childhood play. A better way to forget a stressful day at the office than a large glass of wine - which you can always have afterwards anyway!

Children - especially older ones - appreciate it and remember it, sometimes for many years. This is especially if you are a family member they don't see very often. You are also helping shape their experience of life.

So go on, make some time and enjoy the simple pleasures of playing with kids.

We have put together some quick suggestions - in conjunction with The British Toy and Hobby Association 'make time to play' promotion - to get you started. Dive in, make your child’s day, and let go and enjoy yourself in the process. There is a mix of things here, some free, some for older kids some for younger ones. We hope you find some inspiration and initiative.

1) MAKE IT QUICK - I'VE ONLY GOT 30 MINUTES

• Hopscotch
• Hide and Seek
• Hula hoop
• Drawing and painting
• Tug-of-war
• Piggy in the middle
• Piggy backs
• I -Spy
• Conkers
• Tag
• Leapfrog

2) I CAN SPARE AN HOUR:

• Treasure Hunt
• Gardening (no really!, but no chainsaws!)
• Water fight (you'll forget who are the kids and who are the adults!)
• Tree Climbing
• Organised ball games
• Outdoor sports
• Kite flying

3) I'M GETTING INTO THIS -  I'M CLEAR FOR A HALF DAY...

• Longer Bike ride
• Roller skating
• Pantomime
• BBQ (under supervision)
• Watch a sporting event
• Assault course
• Bird watching, animal spotting, tree or flower spotting
• Raft building
• Washing the car (might require a small bribe!)
• Fruit picking
• Crazy golf
• Visit to a train station or airport (preferably an interesting or historical one)
• Picnic
• Nature trail / woodland walk

4) FULL ON - ALL DAY TO PLAY!

• Orienteering
• Canoeing
• Visit to the Zoo
• Visit to a theme park
• Sightseeing
• Visit to beach
• Farm visit
• Camping
• Fishing
• Visit a castle (gentle culture)
• Attend a music event - try different ones each time and get out of your own comfort zone

We hope that gives you some food for thought? Feel free to add to the list - it is only bound by your imagination!

Enjoy!!

James Rackard, Director, www.littlesardines.com