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The GOLDEN TICKET is BACK! Shop with Starfish for your chance at $500 💰
The GOLDEN TICKET is BACK! Shop with Starfish for your chance at $500 💰
Whether we like it or not, screens are here to stay.
From online education to staying in touch with friends and family during lockdown, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep kids away from screens. Technology is vital for staying connected, but what we can do is learn to manage screen time responsibly.
Tablets and phones make great distractions for bored or fidgety kids, and it is essential they become familiar with these exciting new technologies. Though what's more important is that we do not become reliant on them for managing behaviour, or for a child's development.
Children who do spend more time in front of a screen have been proven to have reduced thinking/reasoning power and language processing ability, as well as other developmental issues.
Games are an ideal solution.
Not only do games keep kids away from the screens, they provide a brilliant outlet for developing key skills such as fine motor, communication (if playing with others), visual spacial, logical thinking, hand-eye, cooperation and so many more.
There are so many great, screen-free games to keep children entertained that are just as easy to pop in the bag or car, here's some of our Starfish favourites!
A wonderful single player, logic game that will help children build their skills and grow their self-confidence!
Kids will need to put their thinking caps on, there are over 46,000 different combinations with each of them having their own unique solution.
This non-competitive game game will keep kids busy for hours and is guaranteed to be a hit.
Need something silent for busy hands during a long wait? We have just the thing.
The A-maze ball really is what it says on the tin.
An absolute classic, players must simply move the little silver ball into the middle of the maze but turning the casing in their hands.
Easy. Or so you thought...
Think Lego... just more colourful, magnetic, and translucent! The Connetix tiles are simply a wonder. These versatile, open-ended tiles offer hours of construction play whilst developing gross motor, hand-eye co-ordination and fine motor skills.
One of the best STEAM (Science, technology, Engineering, Arts, Maths) toys we have come across. What's more, all Connetix tile sets are compatible with each other, meaning your collection can grow to your hearts content!
The award-winning Chickyboom game incorporates fine motor skills and an understanding of balance to enable players to remove items from the balancing roost.
This fun-filled game by Blue Orange will have you squawking and squealing as you try and get the chickens, wagon wheels and hay bales off the rocking roost without it toppling!
A Starfish personal favourite, The Mind is a cooperative card game where all the players have to work together to place hidden cards down in order - all without any communication. The cards must be placed down in ascending order, up to 100.
You can be sure that not only will this game keep the kids away from the screens for hours, it will also leave you in complete...silence.
A logic puzzle and fidget in one, the Flexi Puzzle features 80 challenges with varying levels of difficulty to suit everyone.
Players must try to twist and position the cubes to match the configuration of each challenge. Being silent and discreet, it is perfect for down time, waiting or during transitions.
Avoiding screens altogether is unrealistic, and nor should we, but we can try to limit the time we spend in front of them.
Being consistent is key to developing healthy habits. Yes, you may have the odd day here and there where kids will be spending more time watching tv, or playing a computer game, but as long as these are 'treat' days. Everything in moderation.
And once you realise it's just as easy to get them hooked on a screen-free game, we'll doubt you (or them) will turn back. Because let's face it... no iPad or computer will ever truly beat getting stuck into a good game!
Love team Starfish x
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40 Proprioceptive activities for the classroom. Simple and practical activities to incorporate Proprioceptive into the classroom. 16 A4 sheets to print for your classroom, therapy space or home.
Dive into the world of early literacy instruction with our latest blog post featuring Coko Educational Bricks! Follow Kirstie as she uncovers the innovative methods that are transforming the way we teach and learn language and literacy.
Click here to explore the full story and unlock the potential of Coko Educational Bricks.
Navigating the challenges of post-school meltdowns and hyperactivity is a common concern for parents. However, with the right strategies, we can support our child's emotional regulation and well-being. From routines to sensory techniques, each tactic contributes to creating a supportive environment for your child.
Join us as we explore practical solutions to ease the transition from school to home,...
When it comes to early start NDIS plans, you may find that not all children are allocated funding under the CORE category. The shift in funding allocation has left many families in a predicament, as they struggle to secure the necessary resources to support their children.
However, there is hope. You might be able to request an allocation...
Developing good handwriting is a valuable and practical skill. When you can write effortlessly, your work becomes legible and efficient, enabling you to focus on the content rather than the physical act of writing.
However, for left-handed students, achieving mastery in handwriting can be more challenging.
In this blog post, we'll showcase the top tips for...
Confusing the letters b and d is a common issue for many learners. Whether it is mixing up b’s and d’s in reading or writing, or both, as parents and educators, it is important to address this early.
In this blog, Kirstie explains 'why' it is important and lists the strategies that she uses to help learners master their b’s and d’s in the Starfish tutoring...
In early childhood education, teaching the alphabet is a fundamental skill that lays the foundation for reading and writing.
However, the order in which the letters are taught can greatly impact a child's learning progress.
In this blog, we will explore the importance of teaching the alphabet in a particular order, provide practical tips on how...
Flashcards are a versatile and effective tool for teaching phonics. They are a simple and engaging way to introduce and reinforce letter sounds and word recognition skills.
In this blog, we will explore the benefits of using flashcards for phonics learning and provide practical tips for making the most of this valuable teaching tool.
As parents and teachers, we understand the importance of fostering early development in our little ones. Games are not only a fun activity, but they provide numerous developmental benefits.
From improving social skills to enhancing cognitive abilities, games offer a well-rounded learning experience for children.
Join Kirstie (M.Ed Special Education) as she talks you through some her top...
Learning to tell the time is an important life skill and it is a good way to promote self esteem & confidence. Many children struggle learning to tell the time, especially on an analogue clock. That doesn’t have to be the case, though.
You can make the process fun and easy by sticking to these three easy steps!
There are very few things (if any) more important for a child’s development than sleep. Sleep is essential for growth, brain health and overall wellbeing.
Poor sleep, or lack of sleep entirely, can be one of the biggest contributors leading to a child under achieving or struggling to reach their educational goals and developmental milestones.
So what can we do?
Ever heard of the term 'Sensory Safe Space'? If you haven't, we're here to shed some light on
what we believe can be a life line for those with sensory disorders.
Find out what we mean by 'sensory safe' and how we can prepare to host someone with sensory challenges.
Whether we like it or not, screens are here to stay. Technology is vital for staying connected, but what we can do is learn to manage screen time responsibly.
Games are an ideal solution. There are so many great, screen-free games to keep children entertained that are just as easy to pop in the bag or car, here's some of our...
Face masks. A hot topic. And one that could be with us for some time yet. These are strange times for us as adults. Imagine what it is like for our children. We are all trying to find ways to live and function in what is the 'new normal'.
Here at Starfish, we often say synthetic phonics is the bread & butter of our reading program.
Phonics is the Bread, blending is the Butter.
Lycra Tunnels. We love them. With these fantastic sensory tools being the featured product of the month, we figured what better time to share some ideas with you on the best ways to make use of these stretchy tubes of fun!
