encourage so many things in your child – an appreciation for the wonders of nature, a delight in colours and shapes; even a child’s bent for becoming a botanist.While most children quickly take up the challenge of searching for a Weasel Snout or Bats

“When I grow up, I want to be a fireman” mused Tom Dixon as a child. His career may not have turned out quite how he imagined, but as a world-renowned designer – with time also spent as a welder, bass guitarist with Eighties band Funkapolitan

for children – even Rupert the Bear is joining the search (visit www.rupertbear.com). But how will your child recognise an ancient tree? Well, in layman’s terms it’s simply one that makes you say “wow”! Like humans, ancient trees tend to get shorter and fatter

it into a solid picture book.I always try to write about what excited me as a child in the hope that children will share that same excitement. Stories of feral Mogli-esque children have always fascinated me and as a child I adored animals and daydreamed

1. Throw an afternoon tea party  A tiny table, a pot of lukewarm ‘tea’, cups, saucers, serviettes and spoons and your toddler will be acting like the perfect lady of the house... Encourage her to ‘pour the tea’ and ‘add the sugar’. Offer plenty

that mums could go there and watch the show." Q. How do you balance family and career and build a great relationship with your child? A. "You get a licence to drive, but there’s no licence to be a parent. I believe there are no bad people out there. Our

’s creator for Miffy At The Gallery, a stylish book that pays homage to the artists who most influenced and inspired him, namely Matisse, Léger, Mondrian and Alexander Calder. Bruna is also a great advocate for encouraging art appreciation from a young age

help children to realise they have an effect on the world – they respond to a child’s touch. Babies learn that if they kick their feet, they can make the mobile wiggle. When this doesn’t happen – say, if the mobile is wedged against the wall – the baby

lack of a cooking culture in this country, so we’re aiming to bring it into every kitchen by encouraging children to learn how to cook five savoury meals,” explains Leon co-owner, chef and father-of-three, Henry Dimbleby.Participants simply sign up

you let your child catch his breath before doing it again. Laughter is an involuntary reaction and does not necessarily mean the tickling is fun for your child. See how much laughter you can get with a fake tickle, where you almost touch your child