Reading: Finding the Joy

Reading: Finding the Joy

Reading is a magical, joyous gift we can share with our children. Fluent literacy opens innumerable doors, to other areas of curriculum, to in depth understanding, to the future. But despite our best efforts, it’s not always easy, or pleasurable, for our children. How...
Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year

Excitement abounds in our family this week as we prepare for Chinese New Year.  It’s such a rich celebration, filled with opportunities for creativity, discussion and exploration. Here are just a few ideas. ? Phonics: Little ones early on in their literacy journey can...
The Magic of Storytelling

The Magic of Storytelling

Stories Are Everywhere We tell stories all the time. We tell stories on purpose – hushed and giggling at teenage sleepovers, delighting in frightening our friends; gathered around a smoking campfire; tucking our children up in bed. And we tell stories without really...
Who Is Educating Whom?

Who Is Educating Whom?

    The perpetually enigmatic and shifting nature of parenthood means I have never in all my life been so acutely in agreement with Socrates, who is reputed to have said, “I know only one thing, and that is that I know nothing.” I have, however, learned a...

Instincts

Instincts Motherhood is an extraordinarily humbling experience. Before, I thought I knew about children. I babysat, I harboured ambitions of a career as a perpetually adored Miss Honey in an idyllic village primary school. Most of all, I dreamed of motherhood with an...
Journey to the Rainbow

Journey to the Rainbow

When I was pregnant, I made the obligatory list of ‘Vital Things for Baby’, many of which I didn’t understand and a good number of which also turned out to be entirely unnecessary. We did not buy toys. It did not occur to me to buy toys until I suddenly looked at the...