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Children are natural noticers and collectors of bits. It might be a feather found at the park or a pebble from the beach. They may have a special interest in something and collect as many different bits and pieces as they can. The toy catalogue has arrived in the letterbox. Hunt through it and see if you can find any pictures of cars you can add to your collection.

When you travel by bus there are many decisions to be made. Where will you catch the bus? How close is the bus stop to your house? If you don’t know what number bus to catch or where to catch the bus from, how will you find out? How will you know when to get off? Do you know the bus stop number or will you look for a landmark?

I spy with my little eye something that is green, soft and found outside! Next time you are waiting for an appointment, have some spare time, or travelling on the bus, play I-spy with your child. There are many different ways you can play I-spy. You might play using the first letter of the word, the colour and shape of the object or what you use it for.

There are shadows all around us - some are inside and some are outside. On a sunny day show your child their shadow on the ground. What happens to the shadow when you move? Can you run away from your shadow? How do you know it is your shadow? Talk with your child about how shadows are formed. Does the shadow change with the sky?

There are many different ways that you can travel. You can walk, go by car, bus, train or even by plane. You might walk to a place because it is close and you have enough time to get there. Other times you would travel by transport because it would take too long or is too far to walk.

Next time you have a letter to post walk with your child to the postbox. Before you go predict what you might see along the way. Will there be a dog today or will someone be watering their garden? As you walk together talk about the things you notice and describe where you see them. You could count the letterboxes as you go, trying to work out what the number is and then predict what the next number will be.

When you are out have you ever stopped to look at the front door of a shop or house and wondered what might be inside? You could play ‘I wonder’ or guessing games with your child to try and work out what is inside.

The washing is dry and now it is time to put it away. You could ask your child to help you sort the washing into different piles. Start by asking your child to find their own clothes. Let’s start by sorting the socks first. Can you find all of your socks?