Springboard to Learning Through Play

It seems hardly a day goes by without a new learning programme, educational toy, or multimedia product being launched, encouraging parents to spend sometimes exorbitant sums to help their child learn. It is, then, refreshing, to see parents being encouraged to help their children learn through play, with a multitude of no-cost, as well as some low-cost activities.

In Springboard to Learning Through Play, author and educator Kerrie Shanahan provides parents with an insight into how children play and, importantly, how they learn through play. She provides a wealth of suggestions to help extend children’s informal learning in the years before formal education.

There are pages of suggestions, information boxes which clearly explain how they help your child, short-cut tips and more.

Springboard to Learning would be an excellent gift for a first-time mother, but has plenty to offer all mothers, no matter how experienced.

Springboard To Learning Through Play, by Kerrie Shanahan
Ibis Publishing, 2005

Springboard to Maths and Science, by Kerrie Shanahan

Did you know that:
– A game of hide and seek can help build maths concepts and vocabulary?
– A train ride can help children learn about numbers and time?
– Cleaning out a cupboard can become a game of sorting: by size, quantity and colour?

Springboard to Maths and Science explains these ideas and much more. Released just in time for the start of the new school year, the book is aimed at parents of children aged four to six who want to help their chidlren develop a strong foundation in maths and science concepts.

This is not a workbook, but a comprehensive guide to the kinds of skills any parent can help their child develop – often through activities which they may already do, and always without special equipment or programmes.

Author Kerrie Shanahan is a primary school teacher and mother of two, and take sthe time to explain what works and why. The book is filled with simple ideas, short-cut tips and extension activities.

Springboard to Maths and Science is the first title in a planned series of six from Ibis Publishing.

Springboard to Maths and Science, by Kerrie Shanahan
Ibis Publishing, 2004

Buzztown Books

New publisher Ibis Publishing is focussing on producing series in its children’s imprint. The latest offering is three new titles in the Buzztown series, written by various authors and illustrated by Russell Tate.

Aron Artist’s Exhibition, by Sally Odgers and Fin Firefighter to the Rescue by Adrienne Frater are both small format full colour offerings whilst Buzztown Activity Book is a colouring book with activities relating to the series.

The series has a very retro feel, with each story telling the tale of one of Buzztown’s residents and their adventures in their chosen career. Previous titles have featured a cleaner, a waiter, a detective and a hairdresser. As well as the new activity book, each book includes suggestions for parents, and there are also activities on the Ibis website.

A fun series.

Fin Firefighter to the Rescue, by Adrienne Frater, illustrated by Russell Tate
Aron Artist’s Exhibition, by Sally Odgers, illustrated by Russell Tate
Buzztown Activity Book, by Kerrie Shanahan
Ibis Publishing, 2004