Thinking outside the box...

When I think about the planning that goes into the activity I do with Tom, I realise that actually no planning goes into it. I tend to do off the cuff random activities that just pop into my head so often these are very impromptu.

I think its really important to think outside the box when it comes to learning and keep it exciting. I never want to get stuck in a rut and end up doing the same things with Tom week in week out. I worry that Tom will become bored with the same things. Learning should be fun, it should not be monotonous.

We always ensure we never limit Tom, we believe he can do anything, if he wants to. By thinking outside the box and spicing up his learning I think this will give him the best opportunity to soar as high as he wants to. By following a strict plan or curriculum I believe that Tom would be very restricted with the activities he would do and this would hold back his learning.

A big advantage to Tom being home educated is that we don't have boxes to tick or assessments to make with lots of paper work to fill out. I can play with Tom from the moment I walk in to the very moment I leave. Every single second I am with Tom is a learning opportunity but I try my very hardest to make sure that I never make it dull!

I often choose weird and wacky things for Tom to play with and I am constantly trying to think of new ways to play with things. For example using an easter egg to paint with, messy play with condensed milk and rice, or simulating a beach with stones and water on Tom's feet.

I suppose what I want to say to all of those people caring for children, please spice it up. The children will be so thankful for a change in routine and you'll be adding so much excitement into their life and enhancing their learning potential.

I understand it can be hard when you are only with children for a short amount of time but trust me there are just small things you can do to make a huge difference. Try and make things into a little game, even things that are just part of everyday living like teeth brushing, physio or bath time. One thing Tom and I do is when I am doing his Physio and he is on his tummy I lie next to him and try and get him to turn his head towards me, Tom doesn't want me to be lying next to him so he keeps turning his head the other way but he keeps turning his head back to check I am still there, this is a little game for Tom and I and we have a lot of fun, this makes Physio fun but Tom doesn't realise he is actually working very hard to turn his head and he is strengthening is neck muscles all whilst having a big game.

If you are lucky enough to spend all day with the children, think of elaborate activities such as messy play. Try and think of new ways of exploring messy play, not only gloop, paint or spaghetti, spice it up! Try adding multiple textures, mixing messy play ingredients. The messier the better, one thing to remember is if your child doesn't enjoy it you can always stop the activity. Just because the child had not enjoyed the activity it doesn't mean you have failed. I have done many activities with Tom that he hasn't been so keen on, I don't see this as a failure, its a success, Tom was able to communicate enough with me for me to understand he doesn't like it! That is a real success. Another thing to remember is just because he doesn't like it today, it doesn't mean he won't like it tomorrow or the day after.

Don't be afraid to try something new. As long as it is safe and you are taking into consideration the child you are with you will be able to add so much more excitement into that child's life. Let me know if you have any weird and wacky play ideas for Tom and I to try!