JAMIE VARDY AND CASEY STONEY JOIN FORCES TO HELP PARENTS CELEBRATE KIDS’ EVERYDAY MILESTONES

LEGO® DUPLO® has partnered with football greats Jamie Vardy and Casey Stoney to help parents celebrate their toddlers’ milestones, from kicking a ball to playing with bricks, with a little help from child psychologist Sam Wass.

In hilarious video footage released today on the LEGO YouTube channel, Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy (as you’ve never seen him before, wearing dinosaur ears!) and former Team GB captain Casey Stoney, can be seen high-fiving, bunny hopping and tickling their little ones as they encourage parents to celebrate their own kids milestones to the max.

Vardy and Stoney, LEGO DUPLO’s resident ‘Experts in Celebration’- so called for their experience celebrating their footballing achievements - have all the moves on and off the pitch…From mirroring behaviour, to getting the tone right, there are small steps parents can take to make a big difference to their child’s development. And Vardy, who knows a thing or two about celebrating on the pitch, and Stoney, always on the side-line encouraging the best from her own team, bringing these steps to life with their own little ones, couldn’t be funnier!

The video, features Vardy challenging his son to a kickabout, before celebrating a goal by showing off his (corner flag) air guitar moves. Meanwhile, Stoney’s ditching the traditional coaching tactics after congratulating her daughters great work go way over her head. Finally, Vardy wearing dinosaur ears as he mirrors Finley’s behaviour is not to be missed!

Jamie Vardy, Leicester City striker and Dad, says, “I’ve definitely been known to get creative when it comes to goal celebrations and the same goes for us celebrating milestone moments at home with the kids. Learning at home during lockdown was challenging for children and lots of them found it frustrating, but as a parent I know that encouraging and supporting even the smallest achievements goes a really long way to making them feel happy and confident.”

Casey Stoney, former Team GB captain and Mum of three, says, “The biggest job as a football manager is to support and encourage your team, and there’s no better way to do this than by celebrating with them. By cheering them on from the side lines and lifting their energy at half time, I boost team morale and help my players’ development. I use the same tactics as a mum. I’m my kids’ biggest supporter and celebrating moments with them helps nurture their development and growth. With mum cheering her on, Willow knows she can tackle anything she puts her mind to.”

Child Psychologist Sam Wass, of The Secret Life of 4 and 5 Year Olds, shares his knowledge on the importance of championing these moments, for parents and toddlers, with his top tips for Celebrating like a Pro.  First steps and first words are important milestones that have parents jumping with joy, but Wass reminds us that cheering toddlers on for the everyday wins, like kicking a ball or building a brick creation, can help supercharge their capacity to further learn and develop, and make mum and dad feel great in the process.

SAM WASS’S TIPS FOR CELEBRATING YOUR TODDLERS MILESTONES’S, BIG OR SMALL, LIKE A PRO

 

MEET ON THEIR LEVEL

Don’t stand over them like a towering centre-back, get on their level so you can see all their achievements up close, and they can see your smile when they get it right.

 

GET YOUR TONE RIGHT

When acknowledging your child’s achievements, your tone of voice is really important. Speak in short sentences, and at higher pitch, to really land that ‘well done’, instead.

 

BE SILLY

You can’t get booked for over celebrating in this world! Don’t be afraid to go with silly faces and noises – they make everyone laugh… especially little ones.

 

THE TIME IS NOW

Kids live in the moment, so celebrate their achievements in the moment and double it up – go for the action replay!

 

MIRROR THEIR BEHAVIOUR

Children love it when you simply copy their behaviour… it boosts their confidence and turns learning into a game.

 

APPRECIATE THE EFFORT, NOT JUST THE RESULTS

Like footballers, kids can be brilliant one day…and look out of sorts another. Be patient, they will score again!

If you feel inspired to train to become the ultimate supporter, visit lego.com/duplo to find out more.