Happy New Year 2012!

 

The January sessions saw the return of many of our original members, plus some new families, including a couple of mums who had been regulars at my pregnancy yoga classes. It really is great to get to know women through yoga during their pregnancy, then have the pleasure of welcoming them and their beautiful baby into our friendly playgroup where they can get to know other like-minded parents.

There is something so special when getting to know the baby behind the ever-changing bump! Indeed this is something we, as parents have the opportunity to do each and every day with our own children. Both of my girls never cease to amaze me in their constant learning and exploring of the world around them, and it really is a gift to be there alongside them to share their experiences and to get to know them more each day.

A favourite part of Beautiful Beginnings play group is the circle time where all the parents share something about their child which has made them smile. We have all had much to smile about recently including baby’s first smiles, toddler ‘food art’, kind sibling gestures, and little ones going about their serious business of exploring with no concerns about falling head first into their toy box or pouring the contents of the fridge onto the floor! Our little ones also notice the affection we show to our partners and those around us. We heard today how they love to reach out and cuddle mum and dad together, and share kisses when they see us doing so. By showing our affection and love for others, our children are also learning how to show their own feelings, and how to be open and loving to those around us. Carry on hugging!

The art and craft sessions have focused on using recycled materials to make different kinds of balls. These balls are really easy to make, and are loved by children of all ages: PHOTO’S TO COME!

 

Simple woollen ball

1. Screw some newspaper into a small ball and wrap with sellotape
2. Tape the end of some wool onto the ball and begin to wind the wool around the ball. Keep changing direction until the whole ball is covered in wool and the whole surface looks neat. Secure the end of the wool.
3. Paint the ball in PVA glue and leave to dry.
4. You can also use think strips of fabric from old clothes for this!

 

Cellophane and wool ball

1. Begin as with the simple woollen ball, but make it slightly bigger.
2. Cover the newspaper in coloured cellophane by wrapping strips all around as with the wool. Secure the ends.
3. Wrap a little wool on top of cellophane for a spiderweb effect.
4. Paint the ball in PVA glue and leave to dry.

 

Rainbow spiders web ball

1. Blow up a balloon into a smallish size and tie
2. Cut lengths of different coloured wool. Mix PVA glue and water. (its handy to have some towels around for wiping sticky hands)
3. Dip the wool into the glue until soggy, then wrap widely around the balloon. Continue with different colours until most of the balloon is covered and you like the effect.
4. Leave to dry, then when hard pop the balloon and remove.
5. The possibilities with these are endless!

 

We were blessed with the weather today, and the children of all ages had fun exploring the winter garden, feeling the frozen ground, scratching around on ice and running in the winter sunshine. We are so blessed to be running this playgroup at The Settlement!

 

Puppet Month

Our crafty genius Jane is putting together plans for our very first puppet month! Over the coming weeks, Jane will show us some of the simple and varied ways we can use recycled materials to make beautiful puppets suitable for babies, toddlers and older children. To make this a real success please try to bring along any (or all) of the following things you may find lying around the house:

• Wool or string
• Old tights
• Old colourful socks, not too worn
• Elastic bands
• Buttons
• Material
• Plastic bottle tops

 

Beautiful Beginnings News

 

• We welcomed Helen to the group, she runs a sling meet in Wigton where parents interested in trying out different slings can go along and see what works best for their baby. Find out more on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Cumbria-Sling-Meet/156555121093579

• Clare’s pregnancy yoga pages are on the website now. To find out more about how yoga can help to release stress and anxiety, strengthen your body and prevent backache, and prepare for gentle birth, talk to Clare or visit www.beautifulbeginnings.org.uk/pregnancyyoga

• Hatti’s successful business creative soul marketing is branching out by beginning to help mums start up their own businesses that will fit around their children. Hatti is keen to use her own skills and experience of being a stay at home mum with a successful home-based business to help other mums do the same. If you are interesetd ask her how she can help you or visit www.creativesoulmarketing.com

• We are planning an exciting summer event to celebrate Beautiful Beginnings and to raise the profile of breastfeeding and natural parenting in West Cumbria. We would love people to contribute ideas and to help out!

For those of you on facebook here are some more good natural parenting/ mum groups.

Slings and Things – FSOT and advice

Natures way-parenting group

UK Mums who Make

And of course our Beautiful Beginnings Parent & Child Group