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“Strive to make everyday the best day of your life, because there is no good reason not to.” Hal Elrod

10 Ideas for Ladybird Nature Play

May 09, 2025

Ladybirds are a beloved and valuable part of our natural world. It is lovely to find them in the garden or out and about in parks.

Some interesting facts about Ladybugs:

From the beetle family.
Common colors include red, yellow, and orange with black spots, but some species can be black with red or yellow spots.
There are about 5,000 species of ladybirds worldwide.
The seven-spot ladybird is one of the most familiar species in Europe.
The bright colors and spots of ladybirds serve as a warning to predators that they are toxic or distasteful.
When threatened, ladybirds can secrete a yellowish fluid from their leg joints, which has a foul taste and can deter predators.
Ladybirds are essential for natural pest control in gardens and agricultural fields, helping to reduce the need for chemical pesticides.
Ladybirds are often considered symbols of good luck and are associated with various folk beliefs and superstitions around the world.

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Mama's Den: Using Books In Daily Rhythm

Apr 02, 2020

A wonderful guest post by my member Jennifer Wooldridge (@mamasden)

Are you settling into your new rhythm?

Change can be really hard and they say it actually takes up to 7 weeks before we adapt. Think about times you may have been on a new health drive, whether a diet or starting at the gym the first few weeks are always the hardest.

We all have a daily routine which we are used to but now have to create a new balance in our lives, a rhythm at home over the coming weeks and this will help establish a new normal, a new sense of balance in our lives. I know we have all been feeling anxious of late but we need to start reflecting on the change and creating a new calm in our family lives.

Let’s take this time to recharge our batteries and to think about what we have taken for granted and the fast paced lifestyle we are used to. We have all had to stop and think and change our ways, whether willingly or for the greater good. But for lots of our children they have lost their routine an...

Winter Nature Shelf

Nov 07, 2019

How do you create and celebrate the moments of joy that come throughout the year?

I like to create a nature shelf in the entrance to our setting that can be used as a way of creating a wonderful sense of arrival for young children and their families. It encourages discussion and a love for what is seen and experienced in the world around us. With a hope of making children and their families more present and strengthening the connections between home and setting. By encouraging children to add their natural treasures to this working display or observations.

Here is a winter themed Nature shelf that I set up at the beginning of December last year. It simply had an artificial tree, Pussy Willow in a tall vase, pine cones and Holly collected by the children, twinkly lights to bring the enchantment and then the wonderful book Pick and Pine Tree by Patricia Toht. This book is a delightful read about a family choosing and decorating their own Christmas tree- offering many discussion point...