FAQs

We are a husband and wife team based in West Sussex.  We have two amazing children, Billy and Lara who are the inspiration behind everything we do.  Happy Little Doers started on Instagram, as we started to create and share play/creative ideas to do at home during lockdown.  On the hunt to find new ways to play and learn we had our light bulb moment. Billy and I would often sit and count and play with numbers. I would write down the numbers and dots on a separate piece of paper for him to match up. However, he always wanted to count higher than 10, and play more with numbers. The scraps of paper I had written on soon became bent and torn. We realised there wasn’t anything on the market that went higher than 10 or 20. That’s when we decided to launch NUMBERS.

Sensory toys are the perfect gift for newborn babies, in particular high contrast black and white toys that stimulate their eye development, such as the Sensory Flashcards for Babies by Happy Little Doers. These are also UKCA tested to ensure they are 100% safe for newborn babies

Choosing the best toy for a newborn baby involves considering their safety, sensory development, and age-appropriate features. Here are some popular and appropriate options:

1. High-Contrast Toys: Newborns have limited vision, so toys with high-contrast patterns and bold, black-and-white designs can help stimulate their visual development.
2. Soft, Plush Toys: Soft and cuddly stuffed animals or plush toys are great for newborns. Look for toys that are made of baby-safe materials and don’t have small parts that could be a choking hazard.
3. Hanging Mobiles: Mobiles with colourful and contrasting hanging objects can capture a baby’s attention and encourage them to focus on and track moving objects.
4. Rattles: Simple, lightweight rattles with easy-to-grasp handles can help babies develop their sense of touch, hearing, and hand-eye coordination.
5. Teething Toys: Teething toys made of safe, non-toxic materials can provide relief for teething discomfort when the time comes.
6. Mirror Toys: Babies are often fascinated by their own reflection. Toys with safe, baby-friendly mirrors can entertain and engage them.
7. Soft Books: Cloth or board books with high-contrast images, textures, and simple illustrations can be engaging for newborns, even if they can’t read yet.
8. Music and Sound Toys: Toys that play gentle lullabies, soothing sounds, or nature sounds can help calm and comfort newborns.
9. Gentle, Soothing Toys: Some babies enjoy soft toys that play calming heartbeat sounds or mimic a mother’s heartbeat, which can remind them of the womb.
10. Sensory Balls: Soft, textured balls with different patterns and materials can be easy for babies to hold and explore with their hands and mouths.

Most importantly always consider the safety of the toy. You should ensure that the product has (either) a UKCA mark or CE mark with details of what age the toy is compliant. Ensure it doesn’t have small parts that could be a choking hazard, and that it’s made of non-toxic materials. Additionally, supervise your baby during playtime, especially when they’re very young. It’s essential to choose toys that are age-appropriate for a newborn and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for use.

Yes, yoga can be beneficial for improving children’s sleep. It can help kids relax, reduce stress, and develop better sleep habits, leading to improved sleep quality. Here’s how yoga can contribute to better sleep for children:

1. Stress Reduction: Yoga practices often include relaxation techniques and deep breathing exercises that help children manage stress and anxiety. When kids learn how to relax their minds and bodies through yoga, they are better equipped to calm themselves before bedtime, reducing bedtime stress and worries that can interfere with sleep.
2. Mindfulness: Yoga encourages mindfulness, which involves being present in the moment without judgment. This can be particularly helpful for children who tend to ruminate on the day’s events or worry about the future. Practicing mindfulness through yoga can teach kids to let go of troubling thoughts, making it easier to fall asleep.
3. Physical Activity: Engaging in physical activity, such as yoga, can help children expend excess energy, making them more physically tired at bedtime. Regular physical activity can contribute to a more restful night’s sleep.
4. Relaxation Techniques: Many yoga poses and practices promote relaxation and a sense of calm. By incorporating these techniques into their bedtime routine, kids can signal to their bodies that it’s time to wind down and prepare for sleep.
5. Better Sleep Hygiene: Yoga can help children develop better sleep habits, such as setting a regular bedtime, creating a calming bedtime routine, and practicing good sleep hygiene, like reducing screen time before bed.
6. Improved Sleep Posture: Some yoga poses can enhance flexibility and body awareness, which can lead to better sleep posture. This can reduce discomfort and restlessness during the night.
7. Coping with Nightmares and Sleep Disturbances: Mindfulness and relaxation techniques learned through yoga can help children cope with nightmares or sleep disturbances by providing them with tools to calm their minds and return to sleep.
8. Enhanced Breathing: Yoga often focuses on deep, controlled breathing. Practicing these breathing techniques can improve the efficiency of the respiratory system, leading to more restful and rejuvenating sleep.

It’s important to make bedtime yoga routines enjoyable for kids by incorporating playful and engaging activities. A short yoga session before bedtime can be a calming and bonding experience for both children and parents. Additionally, it’s essential to maintain a consistent bedtime schedule and ensure a sleep-friendly environment to complement the benefits of yoga for children’s sleep.

Yoga can be a valuable tool to help kids improve concentration and focus in several ways:

1. Mind-Body Connection: Yoga encourages children to be present in the moment and pay attention to their bodies. This heightened awareness of physical sensations, postures, and movements can improve their ability to concentrate on the task at hand.
2. Breathing Techniques: Yoga often emphasizes deep, controlled breathing. Teaching children to focus on their breath can enhance concentration, as they learn to regulate their breathing and calm their minds. Breathing exercises can be particularly effective when it comes to managing stress and anxiety.
3. Visual Focus: Many yoga poses require children to fix their gaze on a specific point (a drishti). This practice of visual concentration can improve their ability to maintain focus on a particular object or task outside of yoga class.
4. Balance and Coordination: Yoga poses often involve balance and coordination, challenging kids to maintain stability and focus on their movements. As they improve these physical skills, their mental focus and concentration can also grow.
5. Body Awareness: Through yoga, children become more attuned to the sensations in their bodies. This heightened body awareness can help them recognize when they are feeling distracted or unfocused, allowing them to take steps to refocus.
6. Relaxation and Stress Reduction: Stress and anxiety can be major distractions for kids. Yoga’s relaxation techniques, including deep breathing and mindfulness, can help reduce stress, making it easier for children to concentrate on their tasks.
7. Structured Practice: Yoga classes are typically structured and guided. This structure can teach kids the importance of setting aside dedicated time for focused practice, which they can apply to other areas of their lives, such as schoolwork and hobbies.
8. Improved Self-Regulation: Yoga encourages self-regulation, helping kids learn how to control their impulses and emotions. When they can manage their emotions, it becomes easier to concentrate without being overwhelmed by distractions.
9. Problem-Solving Skills: Yoga often involves creative thinking and adaptability in finding the right balance and alignment in poses. These problem-solving skills can carry over to other areas that require concentration and focus.

It’s important to make yoga sessions engaging and age-appropriate for children, incorporating games, storytelling, and fun activities to maintain their interest. By introducing yoga as a playful and enjoyable practice, kids are more likely to develop the skills they need to improve concentration and focus, which can benefit them in school and in various aspects of their lives.

Kids’ yoga and mindfulness are practices that introduce children to yoga poses, breathing techniques, and mindfulness exercises. These practices have become increasingly popular in recent years for several important reasons:

1. Physical Health: Kids’ yoga incorporates physical movement through poses and stretches. It helps children develop flexibility, balance, and strength, which are essential for growing bodies.
2. Mental Health: Mindfulness activities, often included in kids’ yoga, teach children to be aware of their thoughts and emotions without judgment. This can help them manage stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges.
3. Emotional Regulation: Mindfulness practices can assist children in recognising and understanding their emotions. This can lead to better emotional regulation and problem-solving skills.
4. Concentration and Focus: Yoga and mindfulness require concentration, which can help children improve their focus and attention span, both in school and in everyday life.
5. Stress Reduction: These practices provide children with tools to manage stress and calm their minds. This is particularly important in today’s fast-paced world where children can be exposed to various stressors.
6. Self-Esteem and Body Awareness: Through yoga and mindfulness, children can develop a positive body image and a greater awareness of their physical selves. This can enhance self-esteem.
7. Social and Emotional Learning: Kids’ yoga and mindfulness often incorporate activities that promote social and emotional skills like empathy, kindness, and cooperation.
8. Better Sleep: Yoga and relaxation techniques can improve sleep quality, which is crucial for children’s growth and development.
9. Conflict Resolution: Mindfulness practices can teach children to respond to conflicts more thoughtfully and peacefully.
10. Coping with Change: In a world of constant change, mindfulness can help children adapt to new situations and challenges more easily.

It’s important to present these practices in a fun and engaging way, making them accessible to children of various ages. Whether through games, storytelling, or creative activities, the goal is to create an environment where kids can explore yoga and mindfulness in a way that resonates with them. By introducing these practices to children, we can empower them with valuable tools for physical and mental well-being that can last a lifetime.

Yoga can be an excellent mindfulness activity for kids. Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment and paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without judgment. Yoga promotes mindfulness in several ways:

Breath Awareness: Yoga often emphasises deep and mindful breathing. Children learn to pay attention to their breath and use it to calm their minds and bodies.

Mind-Body Connection: Yoga postures, or asanas, require concentration and awareness of the body’s movements. This helps children connect with their bodies and understand how they feel physically and emotionally.

Stress Reduction: Yoga can help reduce stress and anxiety in children by providing a structured and calming practice that allows them to relax and let go of worries.

Self-Regulation: Yoga teaches children self-regulation skills, such as managing their emotions and controlling their impulses. This can be particularly beneficial for children with attention and behaviour challenges.

Improved Concentration: Practicing yoga can enhance a child’s ability to focus and concentrate, which can be helpful in both academic and everyday situations.

Body Awareness: Yoga helps children become more in tune with their bodies, fostering a positive body image and self-esteem.

Emotional Awareness: Through yoga, kids can learn to recognise and express their emotions in a healthy and constructive manner.

It’s important to remember that children’s yoga should be adapted to their age and developmental stage. Activities should be fun and engaging, with age-appropriate postures and activities. Additionally, encouraging a non-competitive and supportive environment is key to ensuring that kids enjoy their yoga practice and find it beneficial for mindfulness.

Yoga can be a valuable tool for helping children cultivate mindfulness, but it’s also helpful to offer them a variety of other mindfulness activities to discover what resonates with them the most.

The ideal duration for children’s yoga sessions can vary depending on their age and attention span. For young children, a short session of 10 minutes may be suitable, gradually extending the time as they grow older and more engaged. Teens may comfortably participate in 30-60 minute sessions. It’s essential to keep it fun and engaging, ensuring that children enjoy the practice rather than focusing on the duration. Ultimately, consistency and quality are more important than the length of each session.

Absolutely, yoga can be a valuable tool for supporting children’s mental health. It promotes emotional well-being by teaching them to manage stress, anxiety, and develop mindfulness. Yoga encourages self-awareness and emotional regulation, helping children cope with various challenges they may face. It can improve focus, boost self-esteem, and contribute to a more balanced and peaceful state of mind.

Children can start yoga as early as preschool. It’s essential to introduce yoga in a playful and age-appropriate manner. Many classes and resources are specifically designed for kids as young as 2 or 3 years old. These sessions focus on simple poses, breathing exercises, and mindfulness activities tailored to their developmental stage.

Yoga and mindfulness products have gained immense popularity in recent years, and for good reason. These holistic tools offer a multitude of benefits for both physical and mental well-being. Here are some of the key advantages they provide:

1. Stress Reduction: Yoga and mindfulness products, such as yoga mats, meditation cushions, and relaxation aids, help individuals unwind and manage stress. They encourage a state of relaxation, lower cortisol levels, and promote a sense of calm and tranquility.
2. Improved Flexibility and Strength: Yoga accessories, like yoga straps and blocks, enhance flexibility and strength. Regular practice with these products can increase muscle tone, balance, and joint mobility.
3. Enhanced Mind-Body Connection: Mindfulness and yoga require a strong mind-body connection. Meditation cushions and aromatherapy products can deepen this connection, leading to improved awareness of bodily sensations and emotional states.
4. Better Posture and Alignment: Yoga props like alignment blocks and yoga wheels assist practitioners in achieving proper posture and alignment, reducing the risk of injury and discomfort in everyday life.
5. Mental Clarity and Focus: Mindfulness products, such as meditation apps, aid in sharpening focus and cognitive function. These tools can reduce mental clutter and enhance decision-making abilities.
6. Emotional Well-being: Yoga and mindfulness practices have been linked to reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. These products promote emotional regulation and resilience.
7. Better Sleep: Incorporating mindfulness and yoga into one’s daily routine can lead to improved sleep quality. Yoga props like eye pillows and blankets can enhance relaxation, while meditation and deep breathing techniques can alleviate insomnia.
8. Pain Management: Yoga products, such as foam rollers and bolsters, can alleviate chronic pain by improving circulation and reducing tension in muscles and joints.
9. Increased Energy: Regular yoga and mindfulness practices boost energy levels and vitality, reducing fatigue and enhancing overall well-being.

In summary, yoga and mindfulness products play a pivotal role in promoting physical and mental health. By incorporating these tools into daily routines, individuals can experience stress reduction, improved physical fitness, enhanced mental clarity, and a profound sense of well-being. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or new to these practices, investing in quality yoga and mindfulness products can be a valuable step towards a healthier and more balanced life.

Our aim is to inspire kids to reach their full potential by helping them discover their favourite way of learning through play. We do this by creating fun, interactive educational resources that are designed to be used both at home or out and about

We design educational activity resources for children’s development; including boosting confidence & happiness, building on language, speech and communication, improving literacy skills, problem-solving and developing memory recall. The style of our design uses modern typography with minimalist design and are created with longevity and sustainability in mind.

Flashcards are a fantastic way of learning individual topics as their purpose is to encourage active recall. Practising active recall with flashcards encourages strong neural connections within the brain which creates an effective method for improving memory.  The flashcards created by Happy Little Doers are designed to work individually with one another, as well as working cross-product which makes them highly dynamic.r

We are based in the sunny countryside of West Sussex.

Yes, absolutely! All of our products are UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) tested. This is a legal requirement for all toys and goods that are used by children to verify toy safety. All paper stock is sustainably sourced and, where possible we use vegetable-based inks and natural materials.

Yes! Each of our products is submitted for UKCA approval. What this means is that the products are tested to ensure that they are compliant to Toy Safety Standards in Great Britain. This is a legal requirement for all toys to undergo that are sold in the UK. Our Sensory Flashcards for Babies have been fully tested to ensure that they are safe for newborns. All of our activity flashcards and games display the UKCA mark as well as information relating to the safety test including which ages they are suitable for without parental guidance.

For more information, why not check out our blog on sensory flashcards for babies.

Research shows that bold black-and-white pictograms stimulate the development of the optic nerves and encourage cognitive development without over-stimulation. This is very particular in very young babies and early years development when starting to build an understanding of patterns, memory and the ability to absorb new information.

At birth, a baby’s eye has all the potential to see but the brain cannot process the visual information fully as its visual pathway is immature. In fact, in the womb, a baby can see red (the colour of the uterus!) and can track objects, although they can not distinguish between similar shades and the world appears fuzzy to them.

The visual pathway includes the back layer of the eye containing rod and cone photoreceptors which are responsible for converting light into electric signals. These signals are carried via the optic nerve to the visual centre in the brain where the signals are processed; ultimately allowing us to see.

For more information, why not check out our blog on sensory flashcards for babies.

From 0-4 months of age hold sensory flashcards 20-30cm from the baby’s face. This helps them to focus on an object. Start with a few flashcards, shuffling them around each day so that you start with a different card to keep it exciting for your baby. As your little one gets older, you can move the cards further way and from side to side or up and down, as well as add additional more complex black and white cards and flashcards with the colour red. This helps to improve focus and tracking and will also help to build muscle strength in the neck.

For more information, why not check out our blog on sensory flashcards for babies.

When teaching with phonics flashcards, it is incredibly important for parents to follow the guidance given by the individual product that is being used; Happy Little Doers or otherwise. In the same regard as learning in other subjects, learning each stage in order will make it easier to teach and learn subsequent stages (much like learning numbers – children should master 1 to 19 to build the confidence of learning 20 and upwards!). However… within each stage supplied with the Happy Little Doers Phonics Flashcards for kids, there are a number of fun ways that the cards can be used for learning.

Why not check out our blog on ‘How to use Phonics Flashcards‘?

At Happy Little Doers, we’ve spent a great deal of time researching different ways of learning phonics in resources already on the market and in early years settings. As a result, we have created a product that has been highly praised and approved by both parents as well as early years teaching professionals and speech and language therapists.

For more information, why not check out our blog on ‘How to use Phonics Flashcards‘?

The answer to this is yes, however… remember that every child, or grown-up for that matter, learns in their own individual way and at their own pace. There are some great resources out there that are effective in learning language and phonics – from books to television programmes. Most parents with young children over the last 15 years or so may be familiar with books written by Julia Donaldson, best known for writing The Gruffalo and Zog. Those that prefer to learn the language through books, and more specifically phonics, are in luck as a selection of 36 short stories are included with her Songbird Phonics Collection.

So, how do the Happy Little Doers Phonics Flashcards compare to these books?… Find out more by reading our blog at https://happylittledoers.com/how-to-use-phonics-flashcards/.

Our Times Tables Activity Flashcards feature 3 different ways of learning the times tables; skip-counting (i.e. 2, 4, 6, 8…), traditional times tables grid and the practise question cards.

We won first award for the Times Tables Flashcards in the Junior Design Awards 2021 for ‘Best Educational Toy’. Our Times Tables Activity Flashcards are incredibly popular and we are very proud to have received this particular award.

Your child starts learning as soon as their eyes are able to focus on objects so really, it is completely up to you from this point. Our early-year cards are specifically designed in black and white to minimise distraction, but also engage better focus early on in the childs development. The cards that have a greater focus on high contrast are our ‘Learn by Doing… Numbers’ and ‘Learn by Doing… Shapes‘ packs

Happy Little Doers is an award-winning brand, winning an award for ‘Best Educational Toy/Game’ in the Junior Design Awards, 2021 for our ‘Learn by Doing… Times Tables‘ flashcards, also available as a designer wall print. All of our products are conceptualised and designed in-house, with extensive research going into every product manufactured. Happy Little Doers products are all manufactured in the UK, from product to packaging, to ensure that we provide quality products that are sustainable and environmentally friendly.

You can follow Happy Little Doers on Instagram, Facebook & LinkedIn. We have joined TikTok so watch this space as we are still working it out!

Yes, all our products are printed in the UK.  The ink used is 100% eco-friendly and entirely plant-based, manufactured from renewable sources.

We use a variety of paper stocks depending on the requirement of the product, you can see specific details on each product page under material spec and packaging.  All our products are sustainably sourced.  The ink used is 100% eco-friendly and entirely plant-based, manufactured from renewable sources.

All within the UK so there is no unnecessary footprint.

Learning should be fun and there are so many exciting ways to learn through play. Play is vital in helping children be ready and confident for school as well as encouraging their imagination and helping them with literacy and numeracy skills. Try to incorporate their interests when learning through play. Incorporating school topics into home play and activities shows your child that learning can be fun! Plan a trip to the museum/beach/forest to further explore their current topic.

Please get in touch and send us an email to [email protected] or message us on Instagram.

We have lots of product ideas in the pipeline.  We’re always inspired by our little ones and would like to grow our business with them.  If you have any ideas that you would like to see us produce, please get in touch and send us an email [email protected]

An affiliate is where someone refers a product by sharing it on a blog, social media platform, podcast, or website. Our Affiliate Platform allows affiliates to earn a commission each time someone makes a purchase through their unique affiliate link.

Apply to become an Affiliate

Yes of course, anybody can apply to our Affiliate Partner Program – no matter where you are in the world! We are looking for individuals (not companies!) who have a love for Happy Little Doers and our products. Each affiliate needs to show that they are proactive on social media, and have good engagement with their followers on Instagram (quality, not quantity is what we are about!).

Apply to become an Affiliate

The answer is… YES! Once you have been approved as an affiliate, you will receive access to your own customised affiliate portal. Within your account, you will get access to magic tools to help you promote our products – this includes your own personalised affiliate link. These tools help you earn a commission from every completed sale through your link. So, the better you share, the more you earn… simple!

Apply to become an Affiliate

You can earn as much or as little as you want! Once approved, you will get access to your own link to share. When someone you know, or one of your followers clicks your link and buys something through our site, you will automatically be rewarded a commission.

To start off with, we offer 5% commission (excluding delivery). What that means is that for every £100 of sales you earn yourself £5. Not only that, but we have a tiered affiliate scheme so, when you reach a certain level of referrals, this increases to 10% – so £10 for every £100 of sales and so on.

There is no cap on the amount you may earn!

Please read Happy Little Doers Affiliate T&Cs for full details.