Ad – gifted Item
I was recently contacted by the team over at Creative Steps Magazine to see if I’d like to take a look at their magazine from a Home Educator’s perspective. I’d not come across this publication before so I thought it would be worth a look. I was sent four back issues in addition to a year’s subscription. For that reason, this post is marked as an ‘Ad’. You can see my full disclosure policy here.
What is Creative Steps Magazine?
Creative Steps magazine is a magazine published four times a year, in line with the four seasons. I wasn’t too sure what to expect if I am honest but I was suitably impressed with it when I had a quick leaf through. I turned to the Winter edition first (given that that is the time of year I am writing in).
It aims to help children to learn through creative play, and there are over 60 crafts included.
How is the Magazine Organised?
The magazine is set out in line with both the EYFS and the KS1 and KS2 National Curriculum. Now, I know that not all Home Educators structure their provision around the National Curriculum, but it does provide a useful overview of what areas the activities might support. There’s a colourful contents page and then you’re into the craft activities themselves.
I really liked how each magazine has a distinct theme to it and in particular, it takes some of the less well-known events and creates crafts for those. For example Waitangi Day. There’s plenty of background information provided to help understand the day, as well as about New Zealand and the activities detailed are all excellent and cover a range of curriculum areas.
There are crafts that would work well in a group setting as well as others that work better on a 1-1 basis. There are suggested age ranges provided, but of course, using your own judgement or adapting slightly for your own children works perfectly fine too.
At the back of the magazine are any templates that you might need (helpfully with the pages they match noted!)
What else does Creative Steps Magazine Contain
Creative Steps Magazine contains a few other bits and pieces including adverts for various educational related bits such as toys or equipment. There are plenty of giveaways too to have a chance to win many prizes and there is a reading corner too with a wide range of books reviewed.
Overall Thoughts?
Overall I am really impressed with Creative Steps Magazine. I have written a few times about crafting and how important I think being creative is. This magazine is fantastic at providing a wide range of crafts to entice even the most reluctant learner in! I am awaiting my copy of the Spring issue and intend to look for at least one craft a week we can do together and help frame some of our education around that.
We have completed the friendship card (which I thought was a lovely twist on Valentines Day) and I have a few more planned in too for the coming week. The instructions for making are all really clear and step-by-step and all the things you need are items you probably already have, or can easily acquire.
If you’d like to be in with a chance to WIN a years’ subscription to Creative Steps Magazine then please complete the Rafflecopter below.
Terms & Conditions
1. The competition is open to residents of the UK only aged (18) and over.
2. The prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative is offered.
3. To enter, please use the widget above, complete any mandatory entries and any optional entries you would like.
4. The winner will be chosen at random from all valid entries.
5. The winner will win a year-long subscription to Creative Steps Magazine.
6. The closing date for entries is 11.59pm GMT on 22 March 2020.
7. The winner will be informed by email within 7 days of the closing date.
8. The winner will be asked to provide a full UK postal address with postcode for delivery purposes.
9. The winner’s name will be available on request.
10. Entry to this giveaway confirms that participants have read, understood and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
