Mommy Brain Reports

Mommy Blog

Laurel

How To Keep Your Kids Entertained

Keeping the kids busy on the weekends, during the holidays, or even after school can be tricky. During their downtime, it’s important to keep children emotionally, mentally, and creatively stimulated, as this is crucial for their long-term childhood development. But this is much easier said than done. Curious little minds quickly become distracted if their tasks are too simple, and even more so if they’re too complicated.

But fear not! We’ve put together this list of simple ideas that will keep your little ones entertained and happy for hours on end.

Set A Lego Challenge

Lego is one of the most versatile toys, not just because it can be transformed into almost anything, but also because it’s the kind of toy that anyone of any age can play with. As a brand, Lego has long been considered one of the most reliable out there, because its products are well-made and easy to use.

So why not set a Lego challenge? This gives kids a chance to be both creative and innovative. Pick a theme (like ‘pirate ship’ or ‘skyscraper’) and then let their hands and minds get to work. If you have more than one child, and if you know they perform well in a more competitive environment, have them complete their project within a specific timeframe. On the other hand, if your kids work better as a team, have them build something together.

Get Them Cooking

The level of difficulty of this one will depend on the age of your child but getting them involved in your dinner preparation is the perfect way to save you some time and to keep them busy too. For younger kids, set tasks like breaking off asparagus stems or pulling the leaves off the stems of your Swiss chard.

Older kids could help to grate cheese or measure out the ingredients for your famous pasta sauce. Either way, they’ll love being able to help out with dinner, will learn some valuable kitchen skills, and will absolutely love being able to sit down for a meal and enjoy the fruits of their labour.

Give Them Screen Time

Now, this is one that you don’t often find in parenting blogs but giving your kids screen time as a treat is a great way to keep them busy. This is especially true if you choose to let them watch something that is covertly educational. Plus, it leaves you with time to enjoy your own on-screen pursuits, whether this means binge watching your favourite series or playing your favourite online casino South Africa games.

There are several videos and apps that are both entertaining and educational, and before long, they’ll have learned everything from the difference between stalactites and stalagmites to animal life cycles and how to determine a storm’s distance. Of course, there is a whole world of educational entertainment out there, and some things will be better suited than others depending on the age of your child.

Platforms like YouTube Kids, Disney+, and Netflix all have programming specific for the varying needs of young ones of every age, so do some digging and find shows that are both educational and engaging for your kids.

The Best Forms Of Escapism On The Market

There’s no doubt that life is an adventure from start to finish, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t times that are particularly difficult, and that it isn’t nice to be able to just escape from it all for a few hours. Whether it’s because work has been tough or the kids won’t shut up or the bills keep piling up, most people need a bit of time to just enjoy the things that they love to do without having to worry.

There are a lot of different ways of escaping for a bit that don’t involve doing drugs or drinking too much alcohol. And each of these are accessible to most people regardless of their budget.

Video Games

It’s easy to scoff at the idea of playing video games. Many people feel that gaming is for children or geeks, but countless studies have proven that playing video games is an excellent form of stress release, and can help a person wind down from a long day. And it doesn’t have to be a violent or competitive video game – the great thing about gaming is that there are thousands of titles to choose from and dozens of various genres, each one offering something unique. Games are available on a wide range of platforms, meaning that a person doesn’t need to invest in an expensive gaming computer to play a few games.

Reading

Reading is not only a great way to spend some free time, but it’s good for the mind and for stress and anxiety levels. Reading is an extremely popular pastime that has become so much easier thanks to the world of online books.

Sites like Amazon and Google Books offer thousands upon thousands of different books to enjoy, and a person could spend a lifetime reading and never get close to reading all the books that are available on the earth. And when it comes to reading, variety is everything, meaning that there’s a genre of books out there that anyone can enjoy. It can be difficult to dive into reading at first, but after a while it becomes almost impossible to put a good book down.

Casino Gaming

Although casino gaming has the association of wagering real money, it actually doesn’t have to require you betting a cent. There are hundreds of millions of people that simply like to play the games that are on offer without having to invest any money at all – lots of these games are available completely for free and make for a fantastic way of killing a few hours while also cutting back on stress levels.

There are tons of games available, from slots to cards and live casino online options, and anyone can attest to the fun of playing just for fun. And for the savvy player, it’s possible to win a bit of money on the side if you do opt to place a real bet.

 

Filed Under: Fun

Samitivej Hospital’s Child Development and Learning Center

The greatest gift that nature gives is that of a child. The precious miracle of new life is the start of a journey which is partly one of love and pride in an offspring. It is also a journey of physical and mental learning and development.

Physically and mentally, no two children are the same. As such, they are individuals and should be treated as such, this includes the evaluation of their personal evolution from birth to adulthood. Throughout these formative years of development parents eagerly await the reaching of milestones.

A baby’s first tooth, their first words, crawling and walking are proclaimed and celebrated by parents. These are just a few of the physical manifestations of growth and development in a child. However, there is much more to a child’s development. Internally, and mostly unseen, a child’s body is undergoing constant change. Also, and very importantly, a child’s cognitive development is also developing at an amazing rate.

In the mid-18th century Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the Genevan writer and philosopher, stated that a child’s development can be viewed in three stages. They being, from birth to age 12, from 12 to 16 and from 16 to full adulthood. However, it wasn’t until the early part of the 20th century that the term ‘Cognitive Development’ was first coined.

It was Jean William Fritz Piaget, a Swiss psychologist famed for his work in the area of child development, who first coined the phrase and created the International Center for Genetic Epistemology in Geneva in 1955. Jean William Fritz Piaget is now viewed as being the father of juvenile cognitive development.

It is now accepted that a child’s development is governed and directed by genetics, biology and social influences. This interactive meld of complicated factors requires very deep and specialized understanding and to be fully understood and explained it requires professionals with very unique skills. It is also understood that up to 14% of children are subject to developmental delay and require developmental assistance.

Parents Know Best

No one knows a child better than its parents. Children don’t develop in the same way or at the same time. There is a wide scale of timelines into which a child will fall, they may be early or late developers in varying areas of growth. Routine child development assessment is a reassuring tool for parents and, should a parent have any concerns as to the child’s development progress they should seek out a professional assessment.

Recognizing this need for specialist assessment and care Samitivej Hospital has created their Child Development and Learning Center. This modern, ground breaking center is dedicated to the evaluation and treatment of young people’s physical and cognitive development. With state of the art facilities and innovative treatment techniques the Child Development and Learning Center assesses, evaluates, explains and, where necessary, treats any deficiencies in a child’s development.

Developmental Monitoring and Screening

Developmental monitoring assesses a child’s physical and cognitive growth against deemed typical time scales. Key milestones, such as speaking, play, learning, physical movement and behavioral attributes are monitored. This is done with the help of other family members, parents and grandparents or any other caregiver in particular, and is aided by using a simple checklist.

Developmental screening is a more detailed look at a child’s development. Typically, a questionnaire may be completed by a parent or caregiver. The child will also undergo brief testing with a child development specialist who will evaluate the child in numerous areas, including physical movement, language, thought processing and behavioral and emotional responses.

Developmental Evaluation

Should screening identify an area of concern then a more formal, in-depth evaluation of the child’s development will be undertaken. The Child Development and Learning Center can call upon its specialist team of highly trained specialists, which includes occupational therapists, developmental pediatricians, speech-language pathologists and child psychologists, all of which are supported by a team of fully trained support staff.

Following this more detailed evaluation it can be determined whether or not a child requires early developmental intervention or specialist therapy and treatment. It may be that a child requires a hybrid plan that integrates early developmental intervention, therapy and treatment. It is to this end that the Child Development and Learning Center insists upon individualized assessment and personalized treatment plans.

Developmental Therapy and Treatment

Following assessment and evaluation, physical therapy may be required for a late developer of physical movement. A physical therapist is trained to give guidance on building a child’s motor skills. This is done by establishing goals, training to and achieving those goals by teaching a child how to move in a way that uses the required muscles effectively.

For example, a child may be having problems in learning how to pull themselves up to a perpendicular stance. The therapist will show the child the correct way to do this and encourage the child to copy their actions. They may also encourage the child to utilize objects that can give support and aid balance once they are in the standing position.

Occupational therapy addresses fine and gross motor skills issues. Children with these problems will be guided in all areas of using the muscles through a sequenced movement plan. This may be done by watching, and copying specific tasks, such as picking up small articles from a table to putting clothes on. This teaches the child coordination, balance, and self-regulation skills.

Speech and language therapy is designed to aid a child’s communication skills. Play and talk are key factors in speech and language therapy. Pictures, books and events are used to stimulate the child’s communication skills. Age appropriate, the therapist will stress pronunciation vocabulary and grammar as part of building a child’s language skills. Individual sounds are often difficult for some children, articulation therapy helps the child to learn how to use the jaw muscles and tongue to create the correct sounds.

Many conditions can result in developmental issue in children, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). Additionally, other factors such as anxiety or depression can be a cause of development issues. Bipolar children, although rarer, will also show development issues which will benefit from developmental therapy.

With up to 14 % of minors experiencing developmental issues, to some degree, it is vital that parents have their children’s development assessed periodically. Early recognition of a problem will, in all likelihood, lead to successful intervention and bring a child’s development into line with the accepted parameters of physical and cognitive development. Nowhere is this done better than at Samitivej Hospital’s Child Development and Learning Center.

 

 

Top Tips from the Experts on Getting that Genuine Show Home Vibe

It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to sell an old home or looking for buyers for a new build – you want to be sure to attract as many buyers as possible who can’t resist making a bid for the property! But any interior designer will be quick to confirm one thing – your home has to look just right for it to attract buyers, and for this, you need to create just the right show home. Show homes exist to let everyone viewing a property see themselves living there, and even though show homes are staged, they offer a glimpse into a life that everyone could have. Transforming a house into a well-loved show home takes some careful thought and planning, however, and you have to decorate it to please almost everyone who walks in, which is easier said than done. So what could you do to get that expert show home appeal? Following are some top tips from the experts on getting that genuine show home vibe.

• Let the light in

When it comes to creating a genuinely unique show home, one first tip from the experts is optimising the light that comes in. Ensure you have enough natural light shining through, but if this is lacking, you can play around with other options, such as lamps and other accent lights and overhead lights. Lighting sets the stage and sets the mood, and it can make a world of difference in how you perceive each space in your show home. Above all, don’t forget to have the proper (and perfect) lights for the kitchen island, the living room, and the hallway. Use full-on pendant lighting for the space, and for a sitting area, you can have more subtle light fixtures such as downlights and wall lights.

• Choose textured pieces

It’s not all about what your viewers can see, either – it’s also all about what they can touch. That said, choose textured pieces. You can choose textured fabric, and it’s an easy and effective way to inject some style and personality into a room or space. You can go for textured fabric when choosing your cushions, duvets, and throws, as showhome interior design experts like Blocc.co.uk say, and you don’t have to stop there – you can choose more textured fabrics for your curtains and bedroom headboard! The headboard is often overlooked, but you’d be surprised at the incredible variety of fabrics you could have for the headboard, and it looks elegant and stylish. Some materials, like velvet, have been recently trending, and natural fabrics are what’s in, including silk, linen, and wool.

• Decide on neutral colours as a base

Whilst it is generally believed that you should not be afraid of colours that pop, it is also thought that you are better off staying with neutral colours as a base. This is because you wouldn’t want your show home to look overdone and over-decorated, and you can be more subtle with a neutral base tone such as natural shades of stone and earthy hues. You can use this as a base for your walls, and you can then add that pop of colour with your chosen furnishings, sofas or couches, cushions, and bed linen.

• Know that less is often more

Less is often more, so when choosing accessories and ornamental elements, choose them wisely. Also, pick pieces that complement the current colour or materials in the room.

Image attributed to Pixabay.com

 

Check Out These Wonderful Disney Plus Discounts For Hours Of Fun Your Family Will Love

Disney is one of the pillars of children’s entertainment. With an absolutely massive library of movies and television shows from the last 100+ years to choose from, they have something that everyone in your family will enjoy.

They have princesses and queens for mommies and daughters, they have superheroes and villains for fathers and sons, and they have a nearly endless selection of everything in-between.

Disney Plus is a wealth of new movies and familiar classics you may not have seen for years. It has an equally impressive library of television programs. It has familiar favorites and exciting new content.

Thanks in part to the people over at Slickdeals, we have a great list of Disney Plus discounts for you. Check out some of these, and see how you can watch and save!

Save 15% On An Annual Disney Plus Membership

If you haven’t subscribed to Disney Plus yet, there’s never been a better time to get your foot in the door! You can save 15% on your annual yearly subscription with one of the great Disney Plus discounts they have listed over at Slickdeals.

Save 35% With A Bundle Subscription

If you’re one of the millions of homes that have “cut the cord,” then this is a fantastic deal that will surely interest you! Right now, over at Slickdeals, you can take advantage of a Disney Plus discount that will also grant you access to Hulu, ESPN Plus, and Disney Plus, all for one great low price.

Is There Content That Is Exclusive To Disney Plus?

Yes! Disney Plus features a wide variety of original content exclusive to the platform! The following are just some of the television shows and movies that are exclusive to the service:

  • Black Widow
  • The Book Of Boba Fett
  • Cruella
  • Hawkeye
  • High School Musical
  • Hocus Pocus
  • Loki
  • Luca
  • The Mandalorian
  • The Mighty Ducks
  • Monsters Inc
  • Mulan
  • Raya and The Last Dragon
  • The Rocketeer
  • She-Hulk
  • Star Wars

How Many Devices Can I Stream On?

You can stream your Disney Plus service on up to 4 devices without extra cost. If you try to stream on more than 4 devices at once, you will need to upgrade your plan to the tier that will allow that.

Educational Content

Disney Plus is also the official online streaming outlet for the award-winning National Geographic magazine, and many of its television and video specials are available through the platform. With the great Disney Plus discounts available at Slickdeals, you’ll be able to learn more about the world around you and save money while you do!

Does Disney Plus Feature Commercials

No. Disney plus is a commercial-free streaming service, so your television and movies will never be interrupted by annoying commercials.

We haven’t even begun to scrape the iceberg when it comes to everything that Disney plus has to offer on the industry-leading streaming service. It’s a full-time job just to try and catalog it all. With these great Disney Plus discount codes from Slickdeals, you’ll be sure to provide yourself with endless hours of entertainment on a budget!

 

7 Fun Ideas for a Romantic Getaway in Vegas

If you’re wondering where to go on your next romantic getaway, look no further than the fabulous Las Vegas. As they say, “Everything and anything you want to do, you can do it in Las Vegas.” Every year, thousands of couples flock to Vegas as the city’s identity is tied to romance and excitement. In August of this year, an estimated 44,000 marriages have been filed in Nevada, most of it thanks to the booming tourism industry. But if you’re not there to get hitched, there are still hundreds of things to do and places to visit as a couple — here are some fun ideas for you.

Spa Session for Two

There’s no better way to kickstart a romantic vacation than relaxing at a luxurious spa. Las Vegas spas are famous for having excellent accommodations for couples. There’s The Spa at Encore, Qua Baths and Spa, Bali Basics, and many others. Spa packages for couples often include a restorative massage, steam rooms, and treatments complete with therapeutic products and aromatherapy.

Hot Air Balloon Ride

Doesn’t a scenic hot air balloon ride over the city scream romance? Companies like Vegas Balloon Rides and Love is in the Air Ballooning offer plenty of early morning trips when the sun isn’t as hot, but make sure you book your slot in advance because balloon riding is quite popular. Going on a balloon ride will get you away from the hustle and bustle of the city and give you and your partner the alone time you deserve.

Zip Line at The Strip

The famed SlotZilla zip line at The Las Vegas Strip is not for the faint of heart, but it’s perfect for thrill-seeking pairs. The zip line launches you off right under the lights of Fremont Street, and it’s also a great way to see the Viva Vision lights show. You can choose to fly vertically at a height of 79ft for a distance of 820ft, or horizontally at a height of 115ft for a distance of 1,640 ft. Either way, it’s sure to get your blood pumping.

Night at the Casino

Couples who aren’t afraid to take risks shouldn’t miss out on the many casinos in Las Vegas. Make sure you know the basic poker terms — your ace-highs, big blinds, and value bets — because you might have to face seasoned opponents and casino regulars. You should also brush up on your card counting, bluffing, and cold reading skills. Play as a team, or compete with your partner to see who ends up higher on the poker leaderboards. But for beginners, The Golden Nugget and Excalibur are great places to start.

Game Room Date

If casinos aren’t your thing, you could also look into the city’s many game and entertainment centers. You’re sure to find an escape room that will suit your tastes, such as the ones offered by Axe Monkeys, Apocalypse Vegas, and HeadzUP Vegas. There are also a variety of arcade centers, mini-golf courses, go-kart tracks, archery centers, and others that are excellent for your game date.

Free Wine-Tasting

For frugal couples who still want to enjoy wine, you’re in luck because there are a lot of free wine-tasting opportunities in Las Vegas. You can save money by keeping an eye out for the weekly wine-tasting events hosted by Pahrump Valley Winery, Sanders Family Winery, Tahoe Ridge, and many others. There, you’ll get to taste some of the finest wines Las Vegas has to offer.

See a Vegas Show

Las Vegas offers non-stop entertainment, and you’re likely to find a show happening any time of the day, five days a week. Crowds love the Cirque du Soleil, and there are over six different shows held in different hotels. You could also go see music shows and different performances by American Idol, The Voice, and America’s Got Talent winners, as well as touring musicians from all over the world.

Vegas is sure to be a dream come true for you and your partner. You just need to know what you want and where to look. So, what are you waiting for? Book your next trip now!

 

Keeping Your Child Involved in Winter Sports

Winter doesn’t have to mean the end of sports clubs for your children. In fact, it is much better for them to remain active during the winter months. Winter can bring the onset of the dreaded cold and flu virus. Keeping healthy and active can mean the difference between being really poorly or just having a simple sniffle.

A lot of parents stop their children from doing sports during winter as they think it is too cold. This just invites a lower immunity and more risk of catching things from school or out and about. If you think about it, when your children are busy running around doing sports, they are the ones staying warm. It is the poor parents on the sidelines that feel the effects of the weather.

Occasionally if the venue allows, your child’s sport may be moved indoors. Many sports can be transferred indoors if the weather gets too harsh. Hockey, for example, can be played both indoors and outdoors.

So what sports can your child do during winter?

Football

You may think that football clubs end when the season ends and winter sets in. This is not the case. Children’s clubs will only usually take small breaks over Christmas and the new year. Other than that, they continue all year round. The benefit of a football kit is your child can wear thermals underneath it. A long-sleeved t-shirt and long trousers will fit perfectly under their kit and keep them warm in the colder winter months when they are training. Gloves can also be worn, assuming your child isn’t the goalkeeper when they will be wearing gloves anyway.

Tag rugby

If you don’t think your child is quite ready to play the brutal contact sport that is rugby, why not think about tag rugby instead. Tag rugby involves all the same principles as normal rugby, except children wear long plastic tags that they have to pull off each other. This can again be played all year round, and like football, your child can wear warmer clothes under their kit.

Wrap up warm and enjoy watching your child burn their energy running around the pitch.

Of course, during the winter months, why not take advantage of teaching your children to winter sports. There are many out there, such as snowboarding, for example. There are lots of venues that offer the chance to learn a new winter sport.

Skiing

Children quite often get the hang of skiing rather quickly as they have the core stability and strength needed to do it. Find a place for them to have tuition, and they will be zooming down the slopes in no time at all. The venues contain makeshift snow or fake snow, so they will always be able to do this, even in the summer months, if they want to continue doing so.

Skating

One thing that everyone enjoys during winter, especially around Christmas, is ice skating. All the rinks start advertising, and the pop-up ice rinks start appearing for a short while. If your child enjoys this time of year and has fun skating, why not see if they want to start it as a sport. Ice skating takes a lot of skill and precision and can give them health and fitness skills for life.

We hope you found this article helpful in giving you sport ideas and ways on how you and your children can cope with the cold weather.

 

What smoke alarms do you need in your home?

Everyone knows that in order to stay safe from fires in the home, a good smoke alarm needs to be installed. What you may not know is that there are more than a few on the market and they all have different benefits and belong in different places within the home.

You may now be wondering “what kind of fire alarm do I need?”. Well here’s a handy guide that will help you work out exactly what kind of system you’re looking for, so you can go into discussions with a professional, with something of a clue of what you’re looking for.

If you are in need of fire alarm installers in Sunderland, check out CDS Fire and Security. They provide a variety of fire alarm solutions for the home and even commercially.

Ionisation Alarm

This type of alarm is the cheapest to purchase and install. They are very sensitive to small particles of smoke produced by flaming fires, often caused by paper and wood. They are not as sensitive to thick smoke produced by slow burning fires that give off larger quantities of smoke before a flame occurs.

It has been noted that these alarms are often over-sensitive when placed next to a kitchen. Most experts recommend that they are placed in stairwells, landings or offices.

Optical Alarm

Also known as a photo-electronic alarm, the optical alarm is a more expensive and more effective system. Designed to detect large amounts of smoke produced by long burning fires, like foam-filled upholstery and overheated wiring. They are not as sensitive to fast flaming fires.

This system can be installed near a kitchen, but it is highly recommended for lounges, bedrooms and hallways. Don’t place this alarm too close to a ventilated bathroom – it can sometimes mistake steam for smoke!

Heat Alarm

A heat alarm, as the name suggests, detects changes in temperature and is insensitive to smoke. Therefore, this alarm is ideal for the kitchen. As this alarm can only cover a small area of the room, more than one may be needed for a larger vicinity. You can even consider this solution for your garage.

This alarm is triggered when the room temperature reaches or exceeds 55℃. The specific nature of this alarm means that false alarms are almost always mitigated.

Combined Alarms

Sometimes the best solution is to combine some of the alarms listed above. Some of the most common combinations are Optical and Heat and Smoke with Carbon Monoxide.

Combining an optical and heat alarm further mitigates the risk of false alarms, as well as increasing the speed of detection. A smoke and carbon monoxide combination kills two birds with one stone. The two necessary alarms are combined into one unit, saving the homeowner money, as well as taking up less of your living space.

This guide will hopefully have left you with some idea of what approach you should take when you are designing a fire alarm solution for your home.

 

Providing a Kitchen with Style

A kitchen is a place where we find ourselves rushing around cooking dinners, preparing the kids lunches, putting away our shopping and doing various washing up chores. It stands to reason that this room needs a durable, sustainable solution for a floor – one that doesn’t require numerous hours of the day to keep clean.

Surely the best option is luxury vinyl flooring for durability and style. Let’s see why.

Quick Cleaning

Food is possibly the messiest item the kitchen faces and whether it be sauce, drinks, cooking oils or various ingredients to dinner, there is always spillage or the dropping of food on the floor.

Stains are commonplace after multiple clean up attempts, the difference with vinyl is that it offers easier cleaning with the extra satisfaction of stain-resistant design. All it takes is a quick sponge down with warm soapy water, possibly mixed with a little vinegar.

It also nicely provides a cushioned padding in its manufacture, with plates shown to land with a bounce instead of breaking in most cases. Certainly, a change from buying new sets.

Easy Installation

No matter if you go with vinyl tile or vinyl planks, the uninstallation and reinstallation of vinyl flooring are relatively easy compared to any real hardwood or stone. We all dread having to pull up large sections of the floor should a singular section be damaged, so it comes as a great relief that these can be done singularly.

You also don’t need to have a professional fitter to install the flooring or even an occasional replacement. It is very simple to undertake yourself and save a fair chunk of change on hiring a pro.

Style

A great little benefit to Quick-Step luxury vinyl is that you can be as creative as you want and no one will be able to tell any difference.

If you have a fondness for light or dark wood design then there is no end to shades, styles and palettes available. If you like the feel of stepping on a stone or marble floor there are plenty of intricate designs that are indistinguishable.

Care

The kitchen provides space for being creative, from food to decor to planning everything for family living – it all stems from one room.

For a room in your house that provides a lot of care for the family, a kitchen floor requires a secure and sustainable solution without the need for constant attention, expensive chemical cleaning solutions or repetitive repair every few months. Luxury vinyl flooring is an option that frees you up to dedicate your time with your family and other things that need your attention, whilst keeping a sense of style that lasts for decades.

 

How to make the most out of the funding opportunities in your area

It is great to take advantage of funding opportunities, especially in scenarios where a business can’t fund their own project. There are lots of opportunities on the market right now to get funding for your business. For example, Green Deal First are offering ongoing funding opportunities for suppliers needing to fulfill their energy company obligation.

Below are a few ways you can guarantee making the most out of funding opportunities in your local area.

Be specific and concise

When you’re applying for funding, make sure you are specific about the question you are answering and you have actually answered it! When a funder is reading your application, they should feel confident that they know exactly how their money will be spent.

Rather than giving long winded explanations of exactly how each pound will be used, consider using bullet points and brief facts to get your point across. A good starting point would be to write a draft that includes every detail you can think of, then work on cutting it down from there, keeping the bare essentials.

Research and contact

Do some research into the company you’re applying for funding from. Firstly, you need to know whether or not that particular funding body will be interested in the activities of your business. If they have a website, be sure to read through it. Do some reading elsewhere online or in local publications to see what kind of projects they have funded previously.

Never be afraid to contact a funding body you’re interested in working with. Finding out whether or not they would be interested in your project first hand, means that you don’t waste your time on the application. A phone call is also a great opportunity to find out any basic criteria the team looks for, like a minimum number of directors. Most funders are able to sniff out blanket emails, no matter how professional they seem, and they don’t like them, so avoid these at all costs.

Be Persistent

Funding proposals are often rejected on the first attempt. Do not interpret a rejection as someone saying your idea isn’t good enough! In fact, they are a chance to revise your proposal and submit to that body again, or go to a different funder. If you are left with no feedback or don’t hear back from the body, get in touch with them. Take any criticism seriously, address them then move forward.

Being polite and persistent can pay off endlessly. Investors don’t always have time to follow up on every project they come across, so popping up again after a few days of silence can work in your favour. However, there is a fine line between persistence and being pushy. Take care not to cross it. If after reaching out several times you still haven’t received a response, it’s time to move on.

Although the above tips should be considered when applying for funding, it is important to avoid the temptation to mould your project to fit the funding requirements. Apply for grants that suit your project, rather than forcing your project to fit and you will be able to take full advantage of funding opportunities in your area.