ASK THE EXPERT:

Could my six-year-old son learn more if I sometimes wrote information down, instead of verbally telling him what to do all the time?

THE answer is likely to be yes, says Kathleen Corriveau, an assistant professor in human development at Boston University School of Education in the US. Working with universities in Nottingham, Warwick and Harvard University, research showed that children who could read preferred written information over verbal or symbol instructions.

“We’re currently exploring how children develop an understanding of text as authoritative, but our interpretation to date is that children learn this by watching other adults.

As adults, we constantly adapt based on what we see in writing (through street signs, menus, recipes) and our children are aware of that,” adds Prof Corriveau.

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NOW you can stock up your fridge and your bathroom cabinet with a bottle of plonk from M&S. Meet the new Pure Super Grape range. Featuring resveratrol from English grapes, Marks & Spencer has developed the natural skincare from crushed pulp left over from the production of its own English wine. The new collection of five antiageing products is priced from £12 (marksandspencer.com).

RECESSIONISTA ALERT

CREATE a spa vibe on a budget with TJ Hughes’ Affinity Bay products. Available in Truly Citrus, Lavender Dreams, Serenity Spa or Rose Romance, many products are currently half price, starting from £2.99 (tjhughes.co.uk).

Travel pal

IF you are taking your little one on a long journey, try this Skip Hop Zoo Travel Neckrest made from plush velour fabric. Soft and cosy, the owl is joined by a monkey, bee or ladybug, and can help children rest easier during the journeys. It’s suitable for children aged between two and four years. The pillows cost £15, amazon.co.uk