Children learn and develop a range of skills through play so that, by the age of five, they will have acquired many basic skills. Kathy Galashan looks at ways in which you can encourage your children to play and learn.

Birdwatching is a fun activity that will also teach your children about the natural world and help with their development. Mark Boyd tells you more.

Dr Rob Hicks explains how classical music, and Mozart in particular, benefits children. He recommends the ideal music to bring out the best in your child, depending on what they are doing.

This article explains the goodness of California raisins – they are nutritious, healthy and make a great snack for children.

Cooking with your child is not only good for your relationship – you can also help them to form good eating habits. The Pre-school Learning Alliance and Annabel Karmel have joined forces to help give young children healthy food they will love to eat. Feeding Young Imaginations, the Alliance’s nutrition campaign, supports parents and early years settings in providing a balanced diet for under-fives. Annabel is well known for her imaginative approach to creating nutritious meals for babies and children. She is the expert in getting your child to eat healthy food, no matter how fussy they are! You can make these fun and simple recipes together – just follow the instructions below.