Reading and writing
Reading Aloud at Bedtime: How to Do It Well (Ages 2–10)
Why reading aloud matters from toddlers to 10-year-olds, how to choose books, do voices and use dialogic reading, plus a bedtime routine that holds up.
Ages 2–108 min read
The Crayonbird blog
Learning ideas that work at the kitchen table and in class
Practical guides for parents and teachers from the Crayonbird editorial team. Every article comes with printables you can use today.
Latest articles
Reading and writing
Reading Comprehension Strategies for Kids (Ages 6–11): A Parent's Guide
Predicting, questioning, retelling and inference explained for parents of 6–11s, with question stems, scripts and ways to help without quizzing.
Ages 6–118 min read
Parenting and learning
Screen-Free Activities for Kids: Ideas by Age and Situation
Practical screen-free activities for ages 3–12, sorted by situation: waiting, quiet time, rainy days, trips and "I'm bored", plus an honest note on screens.
Ages 3–128 min read
Reading and writing
Sight Words vs Phonics: How Tricky Words Fit with Learning to Read
What sight words, high-frequency words and tricky words really are, how they fit with systematic phonics, how countries differ, and practice ideas that work.
Ages 4–78 min read
Seasons and festivals
Summer Learning Without the Battle: A Light Plan for the Holidays
What the research on the summer slide really says, plus a 20-minute routine, reading ideas, real-world maths and travel journals for children aged 4–11.
Ages 4–118 min read
Maths
Teaching Numbers 1 to 20: Building Real Number Sense in 3–6 Year Olds
How to teach numbers 1 to 20 so children understand quantity, not just recite: counting principles, subitising, number bonds, the tricky teens and games.
Ages 3–68 min read
Learning on the go
Travel Activities for Kids: Flights, Road Trips and Train Rides
What to pack, a printable travel pack, no-materials games and a sensible screen plan to keep children aged 3–12 happily busy on planes, trains and car trips.
Ages 3–128 min read