Play-based learning for curious little minds.
Mum + educator | School readiness made simple.
Guides & activities for ages 1-5

Little Steps Play Co | Instagram | Linktree

A Parent’s Guide to Tantrums is an in-depth, compassionate resource designed to help parents understand and respond to their child’s big emotions with confidence and clarity. Created by early childhood educator and mum of two, Carla, this guide explains why tantrums happen, what’s going on in your child’s brain, and how to respond in ways that support emotional regulation, connection and long-term resilience.

Inside, you’ll learn the difference between tantrums and meltdowns, explore common types of tantrums, and gain practical, evidence-based strategies for responding calmly and effectively. The guide also covers what not to do, how to build emotional regulation skills over time, and how to care for yourself when parenting feels overwhelming.

This guide is not about stopping tantrums - it’s about understanding them, supporting your child through them, and building emotional skills through empathy, consistency and connection. A supportive, reassuring resource for parents navigating the hardest moments of early childhood.

A parents guide to tantrums

Essential skills for your child’s growth & development is a free, parent-friendly guide designed to help you understand and support the key skills your child needs to thrive. Created with real families in mind, this guide breaks down early childhood development in a clear, practical and reassuring way.

Inside, you’ll learn about essential skill areas including gross and fine motor skills, cognitive development, communication, social and emotional skills, and important life skills such as problem-solving, responsibility and emotional regulation. The guide also includes simple, realistic ways parents and carers can support learning through nurturing care, play, positive interactions and everyday opportunities.

Perfect for parents, carers and educators, this guide helps you feel confident supporting your child’s development - without pressure, overwhelm or unrealistic expectations.

A supportive resource to help you build strong foundations through everyday moments.

Essential skills needed for development

Little learners is a free play-based learning guide designed to support children aged 1-5 through simple, everyday activities. Created for real families, this guide focuses on learning through play, connection and curiosity - without pressure or complicated setups.

Inside, you’ll find four easy activities using items you already have at home. Each activity includes age-based adaptations, allowing it to grow with your child from toddlerhood to preschool. The activities support early learning skills such as communication, listening, confidence, problem-solving and independence, while keeping learning fun and engaging.

Perfect for parents, carers and educators, Little Learners shows that meaningful learning doesn’t require worksheets or expensive resources- just time, play and connection.

✨ Download your free guide and enjoy learning through everyday play.

Little learners

The importance of fetch is a simple, play-based guide designed to help parents understand how a familiar game can support powerful early learning. 

Created by early childhood educator and mum of two, Carla from Little Steps Play Co, this guide shows how playing fetch with toddlers builds essential physical, cognitive, language and social-emotional skills in a natural and enjoyable way.

Through movement and connection, children develop gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, listening and emotional regulation. This guide explains why fetch supports early development, how to adapt the game to your child’s age and ability, and how to keep play safe, calm and positive - including tips for families with dogs.

Designed for busy families, this guide encourages learning through everyday moments without pressure or complex setups. It’s perfect for parents wanting to support their child’s growth through meaningful play that builds confidence, connection and joy.

The importance of fetch

Identity through play is a gentle, play-based pack designed to support children aged 1-5 years as they build a strong sense of who they are. 

Created by early childhood educator and mum of two, Carla from Little Steps Play Co, this pack focuses on nurturing identity, confidence, emotional awareness and belonging through everyday play.

Inside you’ll find open-ended activities that support understanding emotions, building independence, strengthening communication and exploring relationships. Each activity includes clear parent guidance, age adaptations, EYLF alignment and safety notes, making it easy to use with children at different stages of development.

Designed for real family life, these activities require minimal preparation and no special equipment. There are no expectations, timeframes or pressure - learning unfolds through connection, repetition and curiosity. 

Identity through play

Our day, today is a gentle, play-based daily routine activity designed to support young children as they begin to understand time, sequence and their world. 

Created by early childhood educator and mum of two, Carla from Little Steps Play Co, this guide helps families introduce concepts such as weather, seasons, days of the week and dates in a calm, meaningful way.

Through short, repeated check-ins, children build early numeracy, language, listening skills and confidence - all important foundations for school readiness.

Designed for children aged 1-5 years, the guide includes clear guidance, age adaptations and printable resources that fit easily into everyday family life. With no complicated setup or pressure, Our day, today encourages learning through conversation, repetition and curiosity - supporting children to feel capable, involved and confident as their day begins.

Our day, today

This school readiness guide is designed to support parents in preparing their child for school through realistic, affordable and play-based learning. 

Created by early childhood educator and mum of two, Carla from Little Steps Play Co, this guide focuses on building confidence, independence, communication, emotional regulation and early literacy and numeracy - without worksheets or rigid expectations.

Inside you’ll find simple activities using everyday household items, all aligned with the Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). Each activity includes what it supports, how to play, ways to simplify or extend, and practical guidance for busy families.

This guide is not about ticking boxes or pushing milestones. It’s about nurturing a child who feels safe, capable and curious - ready to learn when they start school. Perfect for ages 3-5, whether your child attends childcare or learns at home.

Your guide to school readiness

Little Steps Play Co

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Little Steps Play Co

Play-based learning for curious little minds. Mum + educator | School readiness made simple. Guides & activities for ages 1-5