Category: Toddler Crafts

How To: Send A Hug In An Envelope

December 10, 2011 Posted by Luschka under Communication, Language and Literacy, Creative Development, Home Education, Incidental Learning, Toddler Crafts
5 Comments

It’s my sister’s 30th birthday today, and while I’ve been doing my best to not think about it, since thinking about it causes me physical pain in my chest, I did have a moment a few weeks ago where I did something to prepare for it: We made a hug in an envelope.

Kids in the Kitchen

November 8, 2011 Posted by Luschka under Carnival of Natural Parenting, Incidental Learning, Toddler Crafts
40 Comments

When Ameli was 10 months old, I had a visit with a health visitor, who told me I had to put a stair gate up on the kitchen door, so that Ameli couldn’t be in the kitchen while I was cooking, because “the stove is hot”. I told her that didn’t make sense, as the…


When Ameli was 10 months old, I had a visit with a health visitor, who told me I had to put a stair gate up on the kitchen door, so that Ameli couldn’t be in the kitchen while I was cooking, because “the stove is hot”. I told her that didn’t make sense, as the alternative was for my 10 month old to be walking around the house unattended while I was making food. Yes, she said. That is the safer option.

I’m afraid I didn’t agree, but taking her ‘advice’  on board, I put the oven on at fourty-something degrees (Celsius) and when Ameli got too close to the oven, I went down on my haunches and explained to her that it was hot – she could touch it but it would burn. She touched it, it burnt and she pulled away. She’s never touched a hot oven since. Of course I didn’t have it on at 200C and I didn’t hold or press her hand on it. I wasn’t trying to hurt her, but teach her.
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