Start As We Mean To Go On Christopher Stockwell wrote a piece this week for Cotswolds Arts Through Schools, “The £24 Billion Lesson We Are Refusing to Learn”. He describes watching children written off as difficult come alive in an African drumming class, and asks why we wait until school to invest in what makes…
How Play Shapes Your Baby’s Brain For a baby, playing is not a break from learning. It is the learning. From the earliest weeks, a baby’s favourite plaything is your face. She watches your eyes and mouth, works out what a smile means, and begins to copy what she sees. Clap her hands together while…
Family Holidays With a Baby Holidays look different once there’s a baby in the mix, and the planning that goes into them looks different too. Start with accommodation. Places that describe themselves as family friendly usually already have a cot, a highchair and a few toys waiting for you, which means less to pack. Climate…
This article on Outdoor Play was based on our insight written for Baby College by Nina Politimou, Senior Teaching Fellow at UCL, Institute of Education and an Associate Lecturer at Birkbeck, Department of Psychological Sciences. Eight Reasons to Get Outside With Your Baby or Toddler Getting outside with a baby or toddler takes effort. By…
What makes the best baby class? Five things worth looking for Search for “best baby class” and you’ll find no shortage of results. Sensory play, baby yoga, music groups, messy play, rhyme time – the options have never been more varied, which is brilliant in principle and slightly overwhelming in practice. But here’s the thing.…
How to choose a baby class franchise UK: what to look for (and what to ask) The UK children’s activity market has never been busier. There are more baby and toddler class franchises available than ever before – which is great news if you’re thinking about starting your own business, but can make the decision…
A study published in Child Development in 2026 found that by 18 months, toddlers engage more deeply with adults whose emotional reactions have been consistent. They were already tracking who to trust. It turns out that social intelligence does not suddenly appear. It builds, quietly and steadily, from the very first days of life. It…
Are babies born or made? New research has the answer Scientists at Stanford University have just shed new light on one of parenting’s oldest questions: how much of who your baby becomes is down to their genes, and how much is down to you? Their answer, published earlier this year, is both hopeful and fascinating.…
Easter is a wonderful time to slow down, enjoy time together and explore playful activities with your baby or toddler. For little ones, celebrations like Easter are not really about chocolate or presents. They are about new experiences, colours, sounds and shared moments with family. Simple Easter themed activities can support your baby’s development while…
From the moment a baby is born, touch plays a powerful role in helping them feel safe, calm and connected. In fact, touch is one of the first senses to develop and remains one of the most important ways babies communicate and learn about the world. The skin is also the largest organ in the…
🌱 Learning Play: How Play Builds Confident, Curious and Capable Little Learners When we talk about learning in babyhood, it is easy to picture flashcards or structured activities. In reality, babies learn best through play that allows them to explore, experiment and try things for themselves. At Baby College, we call this Learning Play. It…
Make Friends at Baby College: Why Early Social Experiences Matter One of the loveliest parts of coming to Baby College is watching friendships begin. Not just for parents, but for babies too. While babies are not yet sharing toys or playing together in the way older children do, they are already learning essential social skills.…
🎉 Kick off the New Year with Baby College! 🎉 Say hello to our Baby College Crocodile 🐊, a tummy time superstar who loves making special appearances in class and helping babies stay engaged and curious. ✨ Why tummy time matters Using a gentle pull-along toy during tummy time does not just make the activity…
How Babies Learn Through the Festive Season Christmas is a season filled with warmth, excitement and togetherness. For our youngest learners it is also a time rich with developmental opportunities. The festive environment is naturally suited to the way babies and toddlers explore the world through movement, sensory play, communication and social connection. With a…
🌟 Little Personalities Blooming Already? Absolutely! 🌟 One of the loveliest parts of running our Baby College parent/carer and baby classes is watching tiny personalities begin to peek through – often much earlier than you’d expect! 🧒💕 You might already recognise a few classic “types” in your little one… ✨ The Observer – Calm, thoughtful,…
🌈 Baby College is Growing – Bringing Developmental and Sensory Play to More Families Every Year At Baby College, we believe every family deserves the chance to enjoy meaningful, nurturing time together while learning all about their little one’s incredible development. What began more than twenty years ago as a small family-run programme has now…
As parents, it’s fascinating to wonder what’s going on inside your toddler’s busy little mind. They might surprise you with the things they recall – a favourite song from class, where you’ve hidden the biscuits, or even the last time Grandma visited. But how does toddler memory really work, and what can they hold on…
At Baby College, we believe listening and connection can look different for every child and every parent. In this guest article, Nikky Smedley originally used the phrase Whole Body Listening. Because that phrase has developed different meanings in educational settings — sometimes linked with compliance-based approaches that don’t reflect our values — we’ve chosen to…
How to Be a Perfect Parent: Why Perfection Doesn’t Exist and How Baby College Can Help Parenting is one of life’s most rewarding experiences, but it’s also one of the toughest. Many of us strive to be the “perfect parent,” but here’s the truth: there’s no such thing. Instead of chasing perfection, what truly matters…
🤝 How Babies Make Friends: The Social Side of Development You might not think of a six-month-old as having “friends” – but social development begins from birth, and by the end of their first year, many babies already have favourite people, preferences for familiar faces, and even start showing early signs of empathy. At Baby…
🎨 Creative Baby: Nurturing Imagination from the Very Beginning When we think of baby creativity development, we might picture painting, storytelling or making music – things that come later in childhood. But in truth, babies are naturally creative beings from birth. Their brains are wired to explore, imagine and invent – and every day offers…
💦 Splish, Splash, Learn! The Developmental Benefits of Swimming with Your Baby Swimming is often one of the first structured activities parents do with their baby – and for good reason. It’s joyful, gentle exercise that supports nearly every area of development, from motor coordination to emotional bonding. At Baby College, we love to talk…
🌼 Summer Senses: Exploring the World Through Your Baby’s Eyes (and Ears, and Fingers!) Summer is bursting with sensory opportunities – the sound of birdsong, the warmth of the sun, the scent of flowers and cut grass. For your baby, these rich experiences are more than just enjoyable – they’re essential for brain development. At…
🌿 Sunny Days, Playful Ways: Summer Play Ideas for Babies Longer days, lighter evenings, and a bit more sunshine – summer is the perfect season for playful adventures with your baby. Outdoor play offers so many wonderful ways to support your child’s development, and the best part? Most of it is completely free and easy…
🌞 Family Holidays: A Brain-Building Adventure! When you think of a family holiday with a baby, you might imagine sunshine, suitcases, and the challenge of keeping everyone fed and happy. But did you know that holidays can also be a brilliant boost for your baby’s development? At Baby College, we often talk about the importance…
👶 Why Baby College Is the Best Choice for Families Choosing an activity for your baby or toddler can feel overwhelming. With so many options available — music groups, sensory sessions, baby yoga, signing classes — how do you choose what’s best? At Baby College, we combine the best of all of these with something…
This article on Outdoor Play was based on our insight written for Baby College by Nina Politimou, Senior Teaching Fellow at UCL, Institute of Education and an Associate Lecturer at Birkbeck, Department of Psychological Sciences. 🌿 The Benefits of Outdoor Play for Babies and Toddlers There’s something magical about watching your little one discover the…
The Power of Early Connection From the very first cuddle, your baby begins forming the most important relationship of all—the one with you. That first connection with a primary caregiver isn’t just heart-warming, it’s foundational. In fact, your baby’s first friend plays a key role in shaping their brain, behaviour, and ability to form relationships…
A Parent’s Role in Early Development “Which contributes more to the area of a rectangle, its length or its width?” – Donald Hebb, psychologist When it comes to understanding how babies and young children develop, the debate between nature and nurture has been long and lively. Are children born with their personalities and abilities already…
Save Money Over Easter: Top 15 Family Dining Deals Looking to enjoy dining out with your family this Easter without breaking the bank? Check out these fantastic deals from everyday family-friendly cafes and special occasion restaurants across the UK: Everyday Family-Friendly Deals: ASDA Café: Kids eat for just £1 all day, every day, with no…