The home learning environment, often abbreviated to HLE,  is a broad term used to describe the environment in which children spend most of their time, whilst not at their usual educational or cares setting. The home learning environment refers not only to the physical space that it occupies but also what goes on there to support purposeful, playful learning that  contributes to a child’s development..   In this article we are going to think about some of the ways we can promote the importance of the home learning environment to the parents and carers who have the potential to make it a thriving environment for their children to grow and learn. 

Play with sand is a form of messy play that offers endless possibilities for children to engage all sorts of skills for a well-rounded and healthy development. As a provocation with open-ended possibilities, sand is a resource that is sustainable and reuseable, to be used indoors and outside for all ages. Sand play offers a wide range of benefits for children in their early years, supporting their development in multiple areas. 

Communicating well with parents and carers allows us to establish a meaningful relationship with those at home and to work together with them, with the child’s best interests at the heart of what we do.