What name will you give your baby ?

With the impending birth of Megan Markle and Prince Harry's second child, it leads us to wonder what name the baby will be given. So far this year, we have seen several royal births.

Zara Tindall, the Queens eldest granddaughter gave birth to a Lucas, and Princess Eugenie had a son named August.Both popular and adorable names.

When my eldest was born in the mid 90's, there were no Chloe's around and it was quite a trendy name. Fast forward into the early 2000's and it was top of the popularity list. At the time my Chloe was nearly a Harriet - a favoured name at the time, but was often mistakingly called Cleo. (I rather like that name as it happens).

My son however remained the only Gabriel throughout his school years.

So just what names are trending for 2021?

We did some research and came up with these top ten favourite's voted by the public (with one or two we rather like!).

GENDER-NEUTRAL NAMES

1. Charlie

2. Frankie

3. Harper

4. Jesse

5. River

6. Morgan

7. Peyton

8. Winter

9. Ash

10. Bailey

Boys

1. Jackson

2. Logan

3. Caden

4. Liam

5. Noah

6. Oliver

7. Elijah

8. William

9. Kobe

10. Lucas

GIRLS

1. Olivia

2. Ava

3. Emma

4. Sophia

5. Ivy

6. Nova

7. Ada

8. Esme

9. Mabel

10. Flora

~ SINGING SACKS FOR UNDER 5"s ~

In a past teaching job, a highlight of the day for me was getting out my singing

Sack at circle time . This was basically a white pillowcase that I had drawn crotchets and quavers on, and filled with my children’s toys (I did ask them first!).

This activity can be enjoyed at home with your children, nursery or charges.

Simply find a pillowcase and draw your musical notes/symbols on , whatever you

choose. It would be nice to involve your child by getting them to help you look for

objects/toys around the house. Fill your singing sack and hey presto!.

Ask your child to close their eyes and pull out one object. On doing so sing a nursery

rhyme that it corresponds to. Sing songs you both know or introduce a new one.

Extend their learning and sensory experiences by describing the sounds,- are they fast, slow, loud, quiet etc. Listen to a wide range,and genres of music. Allow your child to use ' technology’ for e.g, a c.d player, so they can choose what to listen to – as many times as they like (maybe not as you like), make instruments using junk modelling, and experiment with sound. Have fun making simple rhythmic patterns!

Count whilst keeping a beat, and repeating sequences. Or incorporate two claps,

two head taps, etc.

Be spontaneous!

These activities cover one of the areas of learning and development set out within

the EYFS.

Expressive arts and design – using media & materials.

~ Go find some toys & objects. And have a good sing song ! ~

IDEAS Of POPULAR RHYMES

Worm There’s a worm at the bottom of my garden

Sheep/lamb Baa Baa Black sheep/ Baa Baa White sheep

Teapot I’m a Little Teapot

Spider Incy Wincy

Bowl/spoon Little Miss Muffet

Fish Slippery fish/ 1 2 3 4 5 Once I caught a fish

Crocodile Look at the terrible crocodile I oh I oh I oh

Star Twinkle Twinkle

Bus Wheels on the bus

Car I’m driving in my car

Shark Baby shark do do do do do do

Boat Row row row your boat

Frogs Five green and speckled frogs

Mouse Hickory dickory dock

Doll Miss Polly had a dolly

Sun symbol Sun has got his hat on

Ducks 5 Little ducks went swimming one day

Rabbit Sleeping bunnies.

Frying pan 5 fat sausages

Flannel This is the way we wash our face ( Mulberry bush tune)

Bun 5 currant buns in the bakers shop

Glove Tommy thumb

Cow Hey diddle diddle

Rainmaker I hear thunder

Rubber hammer Peter hammer's with 1 hammer

Reading with your child.

Not only is it pleasurable for the adult, as well as the child, but reading aloud

is so important on so many levels. There is nothing quite like cuddling up on the sofa

to settle down together to share a story. It formulates such happy memories.

My own children can still recall some of their much loved stories which we shared all

those years ago.

Introducing books to babies

It's never too early to start reading to your child. Babies enjoy holding onto a book and helping to turn the pages.

Start with board books, cloth and bath books. Books with pop-ups or 'lift the flaps' all help

engage the child with the additional interaction. They will delight in rhythmic patterns in rhymes and stories. Choose stories with repeated refrains, talk about sounds such as a car

'broom broom'. Point to animals, or objects, whatever they may be and name them.Encourage your child to do the same.

It's a good idea to register your little one at the local library if you can, where they will be given their very own library card. You perhaps might like to start attending 'story time' sessions.

Your baby will appreciate the social interaction with the other children, and enjoy the older ones pointing to & discussing characters in the book.This will all help to develop language

and listening skills.

Toddlers and beyond

When they are old enough let them choose whatever books appeal to them most,

even if it means having to read the same one again and again!.

And don't forget, it also sets a good example to your child to see their parent reading , and

being surrounded by literature at home. Create an environment rich in print!.

Share books from different cultures. You might even use a story with a different language to

your own. This allows your child to hear a range of different languages .

Its fun, and certainly amusing for your little one, if you can use different voices to tell the story whilst reading. Go on, become animated!. Children love this!.

Don't miss out on factual books and poetry too. Broaden their horizons, fuel their imagination

and help them build a greater understanding of the world.

As children get older, discuss the content of the stories your read. Ask them "what comes next", and to predict the outcome. Point out specific words in the text. This is all a preparation for understanding the written word and learning to read.

There is such a fantastic variety of literature to share with your little ones.

Enjoy this time, as hopefully they will be as enthusiastic to sit and read a book

on their own, just as you once were with them!.