Growing Kind

29/08/2026

For the next time play looks messy.
Paint up the arms isn’t a sign it’s going wrong.
What you are looking at is a child using their whole body to learn.
Touch, movement and vision are all firing together.

Each smear is feedback. Pushing harder makes a thicker line, a light touch barely shows. Two colours touched and a new colour appeared.
They’re learning several things at once.

What the material does:
paint spreads, mixes and dries differently (early science)

Mark- Making
Leaving a trace on purpose
(this is how writing and drawing starts)

Cause and effect:
I do this and that happens

They aren’t sitting down to make art.
They’re in the process.

And process is the point. They learn so much more from the doing than the final product.

We’re not saying let it take over the whole house.
It’s about opportunities within limits we can live with.
One tray. An old t-shirt and two colours.

Play that looks a little messy is the important work of childhood.

23/08/2026

Why do children love playing with sticks?
Because they are completely open-ended.
They don’t come with a fixed purpose or a set way to play.

A stick can become a wand, a spoon or a microphone.
A box can become a car, a house or a rocket.
The child gets to decide.

This sits at the heart of loose parts theory. The more open and changeable the materials, the greater the inventiveness, creativity and exploration.

The same idea is why open-ended resources work so well. When a material doesn’t tell a child how to play, the child gets to explore and create.

That freedom is what makes these simple things so powerful.

09/08/2026

What I wish more parents knew about brain development… my guess is you’re already doing the right things.

A child’s brain is built through experience. It develops in layers, starting with the foundations.
First, feeling safe and regulated.
Then movement and body control.
Then emotional connection and relationships.
And later, higher thinking skills.

That means the everyday things matter most. Things like responding when they’re upset, letting them move and explore, playing, talking, and giving them time for open-ended play.

These experiences help form and strengthen the pathways that support thinking, language, focus and problem-solving.

You don’t need perfect activities or advanced toys.
Consistent care, real experiences, and play are doing powerful work.

If you’re doing those things, you’re already supporting your child’s development in a meaningful way.

29/07/2026

Hi 👋 We’re Alex and Erin, the new owners of Growing Kind.

We feel incredibly grateful that Amie chose us to continue what she has so lovingly built. We share her passion for changing the world through play, and as a family with two small children, that feels especially meaningful to us.

We’re finding our feet with it all at the moment (there’s a lot to learn!).
The good news? The website and shop are still running as usual, so you’ll continue to see Sarah's familiar face when you visit or order.

We’re looking forward to getting to know all of you.
Thank you for the warm welcome so far. We’re really excited to be here. 😍

Alex & Erin

22/07/2026

22/07/2026

A little bit of the seaside, captured forever. 🐚

Our Trio of Shell Specimens by Our Earth Life is one of those resources that draws children in for a closer look.

🌊 Each shell is preserved in a clear resin cube, making it easy to explore the colours, patterns and textures that make every shell unique.

Whether they’re being added to a nature table, used in small world play, or simply examined by curious little hands, these specimens encourage observation, conversation and discovery.

There’s something pretty special about bringing nature into play. 🍃

22/07/2026

From their very first days, learning begins with what they can see 🤍

Newborns can only see in high contrast at first… and that’s exactly why bold black and white toys are so powerful in those early months.

High contrast toys and books help babies focus, track movement and engage visually, all while supporting early brain development in the most natural way.

At Growing Kind, we love sourcing resources that meet babies right where they are… from birth, in those quiet, precious moments of connection 🖤🤍

Whether it’s tummy time, cot-side play or a slow morning together, the right tools make those early experiences even richer.
✨ Supports visual development from birth
✨ Encourages focus and tracking
✨ Calm, sensory-rich and beautifully simple

Explore the range. 🖤



📸 Dannii | Children’s Play Ideas | Book Reviews

20/07/2026

If you haven’t stepped on a toy and questioned your life choices… are you even a parent?

The floor is basically a minefield, and the Legos are winning.

Try this hack >>>> house shoes to save those feet! 😉

18/07/2026

Sore gums need something soothing they can really sink their teeth into 🌙

The Moon Teether by Jellystone brings together smooth natural beech wood and soft textured silicone to comfort tender gums and keep little hands busy.

Designed for curious mouths and tiny fingers, it offers relief where babies need it most…safely, naturally and beautifully.

Easy to grip, simple to clean and made with non-toxic materials, this is one of those baby essentials parents reach for again and again.

✨ Available in a range of gorgeous colours

👉 Shop in-store or online and find the right teether for your little one.

📸 tam ♡ photo and film