Russian sage is easy to care for and fun to grow in any perennial flower bed or landscaping.
03.08.2023 - 08:59 / growingfamily.co.uk / Catherine
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Many of us hold fond memories of playing during our childhood. The thrill of racing down a slide, the joy of piecing together a jigsaw puzzle, or the sheer delight of playing a made-up game with friends. Play, often perceived as just fun and games, is much more than that. It is, in fact, a powerful catalyst for the cognitive development of young children.
The notion of play being critical to a child’s development is not new. It is backed by a substantial body of research indicating its role in fostering creativity, problem-solving skills, social intelligence, and a host of other cognitive abilities.
Play, particularly unstructured play or free play, refers to activities that are initiated and directed by children and have no set goals. This could range from pretending to be pirates on an imaginary ship, to building a castle out of blocks. The key is that these activities are driven by pleasure and imagination, rather than by rules or the expectation of an end result.
This free play, by virtue of its self-directed and explorative nature, provides children with many opportunities to learn and grow. It stimulates curiosity, encourages exploration, and allows children to engage with the world around them on their terms.
There’s a multitude of ways that play contributes to cognitive development in young children. Here are some of them:
Children are naturally curious, and play provides an avenue for them to explore this curiosity.
During play, children interact with their environment, manipulate objects, and experiment with different outcomes. This active learning process not only helps them understand the world around them, but also lays the foundation for formal education.
Whether it’s babbling to their toys or
Russian sage is easy to care for and fun to grow in any perennial flower bed or landscaping.
What has changed in the garden since last week? Well, on Wednesday I got tired of waiting (for cold, windy days and then scorching hot days to pass) and planted out 3 of my squash plants. One Georgia Candy Rooster went out into the ‘allotment’ in the Sunset Strip, and two Rugosa fruilana courgettes went into a raised bed in the main garden. Each one was planted out into a mound of fresh compost, and protected with a plastic cloche and eco-friendly slug pellets. I replaced the black plastic mulch on the beds to give them extra warm and moist soil.
When a seed sends out its first shoot and it rises above the soil level, germination is over and seedling development has begun. This is a particularly vulnerable time for the plant – it is running out of stored resources and needs to start collecting its own food. In this period of rapid growth it is also particularly at risk from pests and diseases.
Header image: Mission specialist Sally Ride became the first American woman to fly in space. NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Header image: A researcher in a spacesuit on “Mars” outside the Mars Society Desert Research Station in Utah. David Howells/Corbis Historical via Getty Images
In this episode, Emma the Space Gardener talks to Mission Specialist Susan Young. Susan’s new book, “Growing Beans: A Diet for Healthy People and Planet” aims to get us to look beyond green beans, as growing and eating shelled beans – fresh and dried – has numerous benefits for us and our home planet.
Canning squash is a simple process that allows you to enjoy your homegrown bounty all year round.
Repotting aloe vera is very simple, even for beginners. In this post, I’m going to explain everything you need to know about replanting your aloe vera, with step-by-step instructions.
Caladiums are not as difficult to care for as many people think, and they make a beautiful addition to any home or garden.
Mustard pickles are a yummy treat. This recipe is quick and easy to make – and it’s oh, so, delicious.
Rachel Platt in the 'Chained to Tech' Tatton Garden. Image Source: Julie Skelton Photography.
Propagating wandering jew plants is very easy and makes a cost-effective way to expand your collection.