Children’s Design posters by Danish Maileg and Dorthe Mailil

The Maileg children’s collection has a whimsical and sweet style created by designer Dorthe Mailil, the Co Founder and Creative Director of Maileg. She founded Maileg together with her husband Erik Mailil in 1999.
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Dorthe has since the very beginning designed all of Maileg’s products with her unique touch and expression. She studied at Danmarks Designskole and graduated in 1996 followed by additional courses from Ecole d’art de Marseille in France. She then worked with illustrating before embarking on a joint venture with her husband. Maileg is today a huge success, highly popular bu parents and children alike. See more at maileg.com
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Dorthe’s unique style has been widely used as illustrations for both commercials and books.

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The video that made me fall in love with Pale Cloud all over again…

Pale Cloud has kindly shared the Pale Cloud Autumn Winter 2013 Catwalk Show, that took place at the New York Kids Fashion Week with petitePARADE in conjunction with Vogue Bambini. The photage, the music, the personal touch, the so cool and beautiful independent girls on the catwalk, all combined made us fall head over heals all over again.

Arguably one of the best children’s fashion videos produced, for Pale Cloud by Norwegian awarded photographer, Sigve Aspelund.

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Pale Cloud Spring Summer 2013 a Little Scandinavian Preview

Pale Cloud Spring Summer 2013 in stores now is an absolutely delightful collection of girls clothes from age 2 up to 12. We are going to have some proper photos taken, to visualise how lovely this collection is. Meanwhile… A small preview!
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© Little Scandinavian from the Little Scandinavian Instagram account.

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Sweet and colourful from Danefæ with some Sugarsin thrown in

Sweetening it up with colorful and bright children’s clothes from Danish company Danefæ Spring Summer 2013. This is one of the favourite from Scandinavia, together with brands like Småfolk, Katvig, Hjort Copenhagen, Hollys, Ida T and Ej Sikke Lej. Known for playful design, comfortable clothes that allows children to be children. See more at danefae.dk
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We love the stripy red and white dress, looking almost like a sweet itself. The happy cat print is really cool as well as the viking. Sweets from Swedish shop Sugarsin in Covent Garden – visit sugarsin.co.uk

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Selfridges kidswear department – best kids fashion shop in London

Selfridges, also known as Selfridges & Co, was founded by Harry Gordon Selfridge and opened its doors to the public on 15 March 1909. A TV series entitled Mr Selfridge and his venture aired earlier this year, with ten additional episodes to be produced and aired in 2014 due to overwhelming response. With such a rich history Selfridges is unique in its own right.

Todays owner, Galen Weston, has focused on extensive renovations of the historic Oxford Street landmark in the heart of London’s shopping district, rather than building more stores elsewhere. And as a result Selfridges has retained it’s former glory as the number one shopping destination. In fact it has been voted the best department store in the world!

We would like to highlight the kidswear department. Located on the 4th and top floor it’s a true children’s fashion wonderland. The brands are well curated; established high end fashion houses next to exciting new independent brands. One style more desirable than the other. On our visit this morning, we spotted Scandinavian favourite brands Mini Rodini and Lucky Boy Sunday, as well as an exciting Pop-up Shop with Little Troll very first collection featuring gorgeous girls dresses. It clear that Selfridges believes in new brands and also that they are confident in mixing popular brands and classic styles with more quirky and creative. Together with knowledgable and helpful staff it all sums up to one great shopping experience.
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The space is airy, yet playful and fun, the displays are creative and inspirational. Visiting this grand building and the trendy kidswear department is just really a treat, both for you and your children. And why not end a fun day out with a classic English afternoon tea at Dolly’s on the Ground level?

On your way out, make sure to stop by the famous Selfridges windows displays. Selfridges has a history of bold art initiatives when it comes to the window designs, all back to Mr Selfridges days. Today the creative installations, displaying current designs and fashion trends, attract and inspire tourists, designers and fashionistas alike. See more at selfridges.com

The Little Troll pop-up shop will be there until the 26th of May. Make you sure you pop in before it’s gone. See more of the brand at little-troll.co.uk and follow the enjoyable Little Troll Blog.

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Normann Copenhagen Newborn Gift Box -Design for the new baby

Newborn Gift Box from Norman Copenhagen designed by Ole Søndergaard is the ultimate stylish gift to any newborn child. Available in red and blue this set compromising of a soft cotton onesie and a crafted wooden toy. Ole Søndergaard wrote the following in his diary:

Above me, in the distance can be heard the sound of the engine of a little sports plane. It is summer and the air is completely still. The sky is a brilliant blue and as always I am drawn when I see a plane in the sky. With an almost childlike joy I can permanently forget both time and place and soar up into the wide blue yonder.

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That´s how Plane came about, designed in 2006. The extremely simplistc, minimalistic and symbolic approach to product design is a clear characteristic in all of Ole Søndergaard´s work.
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The Plane can be used as decoration hanging from the ceiling, above the cradle, in your window or as a colorful toy. The Body is fitted for children 3 months of age, and should be washed in 40°C.

Do you have expecting relatives and friends? The Normann Copenhagen Newborn Gift Box recommended retail price is 350 SEK. However it’s on offer now for 199 SEK (approx. £20) at scandinavianbrandsonline.com

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Review of the award winning Fabrikators ergonomic toddler cutlery

Fabrikators, whose tagline is “ingenious yet simple”, has developed a set of ergonomic cutlery, specifically for toddlers. When the Danish design company wanted us to review their 3 piece toddler cutlery set we didn’t hesitate one moment, having heard so much positive feedback from others that have tried the award winning set. Also anything that supports the youngest family members dining experience is of great interest, as family meals are so important.

Our reviewer, MiniM aged 14 months got the reviewing task. He’s in the middle of refine his table skills, and he gets immensely proud when achieving eating independently. His mum has kindly shared their experience with us.
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Josefine Bentzen is the Danish designer behind the ToddlerTable Collection. She is making innovative & functional flatware for children. All the pieces in the collection are ergonomically designed for small hands. The ToddlerTable cutlery is round and chubby. It fills up the palm of your little one, which gives them more control and prevents slipping out of greasy hands.

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I’m amazed on how well the food sticks to the fork and spoon. He is a bit young to understand how to use the knife yet. But it’s incredible how confident M suddenly eats when he has a go with the fork. M is very much at the stage now where he wants to try feed himself, but currently with the cutlery we have at home its more food on him and on the floor then what he manage to get into his mouth. With the ToddlerTable cutlery the food is still on the fork even when he turns it up side down and it shape fits perfectly in his mouth!

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So far we have successfully tried it with dinner, porridge, fruit and soup. I would say the soup was a bit challenging both for M and mum. It wasn’t very easy to hold in my hand as I am not used to small chucky feeding utensils. However the fork has excellent gripping tips which are not sharp to harm you child, but pierces the food easily. The deep, round shape of the fork and spoon prevents food from sliding of. The cutlery is non-slip coated in a range of beautiful vibrant colours.

Features are
:: Ergonomic design for easy grip
:: No BpA, Phthalates and PVC
:: Microwave & Dishwasher safe
:: Recommended ages: 6+ months

The collection includes matching bowls, plates and cups and comes in the bright, vibrant colours orange, blue, green and red and I have seen prices varied from £20 – £30 online.
I’m so grateful that I was introduced to this cutlery set that I will have to get one more!

Thank you to M and his mum for reviewing this product!

To find out more about the Toddler Cutlery Set and other ingenious designs by Fabrikators visit fabrikators.com

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Retro sportswear from Norwegian brand Ugly Children’s Clothing

Inspired by the gymnasts of the 70′s the Norwegian brand Ugly Children’s Clothing has launched a collection of retro sportswear for children. Bright red, blue and white, with retro stripes as close to the original deal as possible.
Physical activity is a healthy habit that can be taught from early childhood, with a range of regular sustained periods of physical activity and variety of movement. These clothes seem to fit the bill. Yes to an active childhood!
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© Ugly Children’s Clothing

The children’s sportwear series is available at uglycc.com

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Why children stop, the importance of and how to encourage more play

Did you know children laugh on average 400 times a day whilst adults 25 times? Why do we stop laughing? And why do we stop playing? According to babble.com it’s The End of play. The New York Times ran a rather alarming article focusing on the lost culture of childhood. Nursery rhymes and traditional outdoor play has been replaced by TV, video games and the internet, with children age 8 to 18 spending about 7 1/2 hours a day using electronic media. Instead of play children are increasingly passive consumers of entertainment. David Elkind, a professor at Tufts University, has found that less play increases bullying and it’s clearly contributing to the childhood obesity epidemic.
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But what makes play so important? According to education.com, play is vital for the child development. In play anything can happen; Imagining and living out one’s mental images in play are ways of testing things that the child will later encounter in a larger scale in real life. But they are also ways of developing the link between emotion and thought, emotion and language. And a way to connect with yourself, mature and feel content and happy.

“Human children play more and longer than any other known animal species. There’s also an interesting link between how human children play and their rich interior worlds, their self-consciousness. We are in fact the only animals that carry on role-play, the only ones who can pretend to be someone else…”
Professor Peter Gärdenfors, a Swedish philosopher to sweden.se

Like the the English blogger Kickan & Conkers say: I for Imagination!
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© Mononcle SS13, imaginative accessories, spotted by Kickan & Conkers

Top tips to how to encourage play

1. Switch off
Turn of the TV and confiscate all tablet and devices. You will get an immediate negative response, but this is a necessary step to achieve play.

2. Allow downtime
Limit your children’s extra-curricular activities, don’t fill up the diary with playdates and social activities. Allow the children to be at home, bored.

3. Encourage
Show an interest in their play by occasionally ask what they are building, making or what’s happening in the play. Praise the play without interfering. We know it’s tempting to make suggestions and wanting to jump into the imaginative world… but witheld yourself. Other than providing the blanket for the tent, stay clear.

4. Clear the premises, prepare for play
Make sure the children’s bedroom is not overflowing with toys and clutter. Secure sufficient storage to keep it tidy and inviting. One tip is to rotate toys, another is having regular clear outs and donate unwanted toys to charity.

We have two girls, age 11 and 8, both still playing. They can’t wait to emerse in the imaginative world after school. Creative Lego, duplu and miniature figures from the Sylvanians Family are still in frequent use. Dressing up and dolls not so much any longer. We also try to use the outdoors, the garden and the nearby parks to allow free movement and outdoor fun. In fact we did write an article about The Importance of Free Play for VUP Baby a year ago. How old are your children and what do they play with? And do you think imaginative play is important?

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Christina Rohde Liberty prints and relaxed styles for Summer 2013

Danish designer Christina Rohde, almost regarded a veteran in the Scandinavian Fashion industry with the children’s clothing brand dating back to 1991. In fact Christina Rohde was the brand that opened my eyes to children’s designerwear.
Having a child can be quite owerwhelming, and it’s nothing you’d like more than giving your newborn the very best. But the very best, a few French brands that was available in Oslo at the time, cost a small fortune. Then one autumn day, a Christina Rohde dress came dancing into our lives. And I discovered an entire new world of well made high quality affordable children’s fashion. Christina Rohde has since then delivered one gorgeous collection after the other.

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Christina Rohde Summer 2013, with a base of essential subtle shades introduces new vibrant colours such as emerald green, burnt red and steel blue. But probably what’s most important is how versatile the styles are, and that they will fit nicely into and update any summer wardrobe. Some of the styles will also last into the colder autumn months.

See more at christinarohde.dk

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