Childhood is full of magic — not just the kind found in fairy tales, but also the quiet, everyday kind that’s instinctively fed by a child’s curiosity. Little ones have an innate sense of wonder; the world is vast, mysterious, and full of possibility. Whether they’ve discovered a camouflaged moth on a tree trunk, a rainbow stretching across the sky, or the miraculous shape of a fresh snowflake, each can feel like an amazing discovery to a young child. And they really are amazing!
As parents and caregivers, we have the privilege of seeing that magic unfold to our children. We also have the power to nurture it. Sometimes such moments appear in the most unexpected of places, while at other times, they grow from shared adventures that have taken a little more planning. All such experiences can become treasured memories that a child can carry with them for years — and we can help.
See the World Through Their Eyes
Young children experience the world differently to adults. They notice details we’ve long since stopped paying attention to — the way water ripples in a puddle, a cloud that may be shaped like an animal, or the captivating sparkle of a ‘special’ rock as it glints in the sun. To little ones, these are truly magical. What’s more, they’re all around us but, with our busy lives, go unnoticed so often by adults.
However, such wonders are to be celebrated! Taking time to see things from a child’s perspective helps you reconnect with that sense of awe. As well as reinforcing how magical the world is to little ones, it also reminds you what you may have forgotten about the amazing planet we inhabit. So, next time you’re walking or exploring outdoors with your child, try slowing down and letting your child lead the way. You might find yourself stopping every few steps to inspect something special that you’d have otherwise passed by. To young children, such exploration and discovery is a truly magical part of childhood. What’s more, reconnecting with such moments can open adults’ eyes to forgotten wonders too.
Even ordinary outings can become big adventures when seen through a child’s eyes. For young children, a trip to a new park, feeding some particularly fancy ducks, or watching an unusually spectacular sunset can seem every bit as magical as a faraway journey.
Nature’s Magic in Everyday Moments
The natural world offers endless opportunities for children to experience wonder. It’s a place where all the senses come alive. Take time with your child, therefore, to enjoy such opportunities — the feel and beauty of soft moss, the smell of fresh rain in the air, the sound of leaves crunching underfoot, and a million other such possibilities.
Everyday nature moments can be as simple as collecting interesting leaves, following the flight of a butterfly, or taking time to listen to birds singing in a forest. These small discoveries encourage curiosity, teach children about the universe, and help them feel more connected to the world they live in. Follow the bold, green links to download free reference sheets for such activities.
Childhood Magic in Bigger Adventures
Sometimes, though, it’s worth going a little further to proactively create an experience that feels truly special to you and your child.
Starry nights lend us a good example. On a warm summer night, perhaps wrap up in blankets, grab a hot chocolate, and sit outside together to watch the stars. See if your child can spot a satellite on its quiet journey, or a shooting star racing across the night sky. Discuss what it might be like up there in space. Ponder whether there are other creatures on faraway planets looking back at us — perhaps a tiny speck of light to them, just as they are to us. We don’t have all the answers to such big questions, but that’s OK — it demonstrates the enormity and complexity of life and the universe — and can only increase the child’s sense of wonder.
A sunset watch is another good example. Find a high spot or hilltop together and take a half hour or so to watch the colours of the sunset sky together. Notice the luminous clouds and beams of light shift and change as the sun makes its way down towards the horizon (avoid looking directly at the sun, of course). Discuss how the day is drawing to a close as the sun dips down and disappears — only to reappear come morning as we travel together on this planetary merry-go-round.
A family adventure or expedition is another great way to give focus to some magical childhood moments. First, build some excitement by announcing the plan for an expedition or ramble in advance. Perhaps it’ll be along a local trail, scenic path, river route, or in an interesting new park. Be sure to call it an “adventure.” Take a picnic, stop to watch horses, feed ducks on a river, or visit a cosy café or tearoom along the way. On such a trip, there is an incredible array of opportunities for memorable and magical moments to mesmerise your child. Whether it’s a spectacular butterfly, a caterpillar that your child has never seen before, an amazing wildflower meadow buzzing with chirping crickets, or an exciting view or discovery around a corner, there is so much to excite and fascinate a young child!
It’s important to know that these little adventures don’t need to be elaborate or costly, though — it’s the sense of discovery, and the feeling of doing something special together, that makes them unforgettable — and wonderful learning moments too.
Cherish Everyday Wonder & Emotional Connections Through Shared Moments
Magical memories often come not just from what we do with our children, but how we do it. Giving a child and their special discoveries your full attention, feeding back, pondering questions, and marvelling together, all make such moments more special and memorable. The real magic lies in connection — in being fully present with your child, sharing laughter, the sense of wonder, and the warmth of togetherness. The most meaningful memories from childhood need not come from big events or expensive outings — they often come from simple moments that make a child feel curious, loved, and seen.
So, next time your little one spots something wonderful — an interesting feather, dewdrops caught on a web, a sunbeam coming through the clouds — take a moment to pause with them. Those few seconds of shared wonder might just become one of their most magical memories, or rightfully fill them with awe at our incredible world.
Little Acorns: a High-Quality Childcare Nursery in Padiham
A Weekday Childcare Service for Children Under 5
If you are looking for a good childcare nursery in Padiham for your baby or child under five, consider Little Acorns Nursery. We provide a wonderful home-from-home environment for children under our care, nurturing their learning and development proactively to bring out the very best in them. In this way, they become as school-ready as possible by the time they are old enough to begin school. As well as serving Padiham families, we may also suit those nearby in Burnley, Hapton, Rose Grove, Altham, Huncoat, Read, Simonstone, Sabden, Higham, and Wood End. We are rated as a ‘Good Provider’ by Ofsted and support free childcare funding for eligible families.
Click one of the buttons below to begin your child’s application, to ask questions, or to arrange a free tour of this fabulous Padiham nursery.
We’re delighted to announce that Ofsted has published a stunning report for Little Acorns Nursery, Padiham. It’s now official that this excellent Padiham childcare setting is a ‘Good Provider’ — in every category! What’s more, the Ofsted inspector published some wonderfully positive comments about the nursery, staff, and quality of care as part of the report. Their findings are a testament to the high quality of the setting, the professionalism of its early years practitioners and leadership, and the positive impact the nursery has on babies and children in its care. Today, we take a deep dive into the details.
Today we bring you a guide to toothbrushing for under-fives, inspired by children at Little Acorns Nursery taking part in Lancashire’s Let’s Get Lancashire Brushing campaign. An initiative of Lancashire County Council Public Health, the programme is designed to educate and encourage young children, including toddlers, to brush teeth for 2 minutes twice a day using age-appropriate toothpaste. What’s more, their message is that it’s never too young to begin and can even start before the first tooth has surfaced. At Little Acorns Nursery, the programme is supervised by staff and is intended to take place in tandem with toothbrushing at home — it does not replace it. Nursery staff guide children to establish a positive and proactive routine around toothbrushing, to foster good habits around oral hygiene, and thereby minimise tooth decay and problems associated with it.
Primary school applications need to be submitted while the child is three or, at the very latest, has very recently had their fourth birthday. Because applications received on time are processed first, failure to apply by the due date means a child is less likely to receive an offer for their preferred school — places may no longer be available that late in the day.
Choosing a primary school for a child is an important step for any family. Somewhere conveniently close makes sense — and indeed is one of the most important criteria for offers, as we’ll see later. After all, you don’t want to be late dropping off or picking up your child because you’re stuck in a traffic jam miles away. Somewhere local will also mean your child has friends who are conveniently close by, which is another good thing. And, of course, if your child’s sibling already attends, then that school would usually be a natural first choice, assuming you’re happy with it of course.
While the eligibility criteria for school places are not identical for all locations, there are several factors that are fairly standard. For example, schools closest to a child and those where a sibling already attends are usually favoured. Children may also be more likely to be accepted at a school where a parent has worked for 2 or more years. Church/faith schools are often also more likely to accept children who share the same faith. 
Primary school offers are first sent, by email, to those who applied on time and included a valid email address on their forms. Offers to such families are released on the morning of the 16th of April or the next working day if that happens to fall on a weekend or public holiday. Others who supplied an email address on their application, but who applied late in respect of the 15 January deadline, will usually receive offers via email the same day, although later on. Others, without an email address specified on applications, will receive offers via Second Class post, so are likely to see offers later than the 16th of April. Some local authorities, however, allow people to log onto a portal to view offers from that date. Note that those applying ‘in-year’ receive offers on different dates to the standard ones specified above.
Parents and caregivers have a simple yet incredibly powerful tool at their disposal to significantly boost the education of children under five: reading with them. In study after study, this simple activity has been shown to transform a child’s early years of education, giving children short-, medium-, and long-term benefits that even extend into adulthood. With that in mind, we take a look today at the many benefits and incredible power of reading with children, especially those under five.
When you read to them, the cognitive benefits to children are profound and this is backed-up by findings from multiple studies. The benefits include improved memory, problem-solving, logical thinking, and memory skills. Even children’s attention spans are seen to improve when parents regularly read with them.
One of the biggest winners when reading with children is the boost to their language skills. Indeed, a 4-decade study (
If children are to get the most from reading, it’s important to read with them. That’s all about making it interactive, engaging and fun to ensure children are involved. There are a number of ways to accomplish this and doing so will be the key to them gaining the most benefit from the activity.
Calling all little citizen scientists — we need your help — and parents too! During part of July and early August the Big Butterfly Count takes place across the UK and the more children and families that take part, the better. All it needs to take is 15 minutes and taking part will help butterflies, daytime-flying moths and the conservation of nature and biodiversity in general. What’s more, it’s a free, enjoyable, educational, and hugely worthwhile activity for children and families to take part in. In today’s post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know in order to take part in 2024’s Big Butterfly Count. Little citizen scientists: get ready!
You’ll need a tiny bit of preparation, but it’s quick, free, and easy…
Once you’ve chosen a suitable location that has flowers blooming and is ideally sunny and sheltered, you are ready to count butterflies and submit them to the Big Butterfly Count survey.
In addition to taking part in the Big Butterfly Count, children and families can help butterflies in other simple ways too. What’s more, they’re also fun, educational, and make the world a better place. Additional ways to help butterflies – and other pollinators – include:
Lancashire’s Walk & Talk Initiative is a scheme that’s wholeheartedly supported by the childcare practitioners at Little Acorns Nursery in Padiham. We encourage all Lancashire parents to take part too. It’s an initiative that is incredibly simple but has far-reaching benefits for children in their early years. Let’s take a look today at what Walk & Talk is all about, what its aims are, the benefits to children, and how families can get involved.
a reduction in the ‘word gap’ — helping children learn new words and widen vocabulary;
The scheme also aims to encourage children to use a variety of senses. These include, for example, sight, smell, touch, taste, hearing and, of course, active listening. When out on walks there are so many different things for children’s senses to be stimulated by and each lends itself to a conversation. Whether it’s the sound of birdsong, the feeling of the wind on their faces, the smell of freshly-cut grass on the breeze, the noise of traffic, the dazzlingly beautiful colours of blossom, or the mouth-watering smell of food cooking around the neighbourhood or town, walking is indeed a feast for the senses.
Pyjamarama is a one-day fundraising event that’s organised through the children’s reading charity BookTrust. It takes place each year across a variety of UK settings including homes, schools, preschools, nurseries and more. As well as being great fun for those organising and taking part, the initiative is beneficial to millions of disadvantaged children. The ultimate aim is to raise money to fund the purchase of books and resources, so that every child in the UK gets the chance for bedtime stories and each family has proper reading opportunities. The initiative is hugely popular, great fun, and transforms lives. Today, we take a look at what to expect, how to get involved, and the many benefits of Pyjamarama.
Pyjamarama is always a fun day for both adults and children. The added aspect of pyjamas makes it special, quirky and relaxed. And, at the end of the day, it’s incredibly worthwhile. Not only does it raise money to give disadvantaged children and their families opportunities for reading and bedtime stories, but it also encourages those children taking part in Pyjamarama to read more, for pleasure as much as anything. Additionally, it gives children a different perspective and encourages altruism and empathy for others less fortunate than themselves.
