Practical Tips for Parents to Get Kids ‘School Ready’

  I’m a former Deputy Head and Class Teacher for 22 years so I know first hand about teaching Reception Class children – I taught 35 four year olds! I’ve also raised 2 children. So, I’m rather shocked by the new survey by Early Years charity Kindred² 93% of teachers say their school is increasing […]

Starting School ~ The Easy Way!

  From the moment you play peek-a-boo with your baby, you are preparing them for the process of moving away from you and learning about independence. Separation can be a difficult emotion not only for you as a parent but also for your child. As your child matures and gains in confidence, they grow into […]

The Dummy Tree, The Tooth Fairy & other quirky family traditions around the world !

I’m always encouraging my parents to create their own family traditions from bike rides to bowling, from having a film night in with popcorn to having a Sunday Lunch together as it builds memories that last a lifetime. I also love exploring and I came upon this really interesting  article about parenting traditions from different cultures around the world […]

The ‘Next Normal’ – Advice for Handling CHANGE

Handling change is one of life’s greatest challenges and is a major element in my work with parents & my intention is to help parents handle change positively and with clarity, direction and confidence.  Change is inevitable and although it’s perfectly natural to resist the changes in your life and feel overwhelmed and anxious about […]

Primer día de escuela de tu hijo

¿Puedes creer que tu hijo ya comenzó la escuela? Como puede ser un poco desalentador para ti y tu hijo, aquí te damos unos consejos útiles. Read more here   Antes del gran día, asegúrate de hacerle saber a tu hijo las expectativas. En las semanas previas a iniciar la escuela, háblale sobre lo que va a […]

Today’s four-year-olds often ‘not physically ready’ for school !

As a former Deputy Head and Reception Class Teacher I was horrified to read today that four-year-olds are often ‘not physically ready’ for school due to competitive  parenting, iPads and screens all contributing to a decrease in a young child’s mobility that can impact on their academic learning. This follows on from a client of mine with […]

Soiling (Encopresis)

    I’ve been working with a client going through a divorce and her 4 year old has been having accidents and whilst most parents assume that kids who soil their pants are simply misbehaving and being naughty or lazy, the truth is often that their child has a condition known as encopresis. This little […]

Dear Teacher.

  Here’s a beautifully heartfelt letter I discovered on Mamapedia as kids return to school this week. Dear Teacher, Today I relinquish my precious children into your care. Do you know how important you are to me? To them? From this day forward, you are a valuable force in what defines them. You will encourage […]

Books about Starting School to read with your children.

Shiny new shoes – how to prepare yourself (and your child) for their new school! From the moment you play peek-a-boo with your baby, you are preparing them for the process of moving away from you and learning about independence. Separation can be a difficult emotion not only for you as a parent but also […]

Growing up too soon?

I used to be a Deputy Head and Class teacher and I know first hand about teaching in a Reception Class where children first start school at 5 here in the UK. I’ve also watched as education has become obsessed with data – stressing over whether 5 year olds have gone up 2 sub levels and then watching […]

Too much – too soon? Should we delay starting school until 7 ?

  As a former Deputy Head and Class Teacher I read with interest today’s article in The Telegraph about a campaign to delay the start of formal education until the age of seven which is backed by the former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. While I can see that we have gone too far along […]

Premature children should start school a year later…… what do you think?

  Today the news is full of the idea that some premature babies should start school a year late to give their brains time to develop, according to research conducted by Bristol University. The idea follows a study which found that boys and girls born early are 50 per cent more likely to fail the reading, […]

New School Term – My advice in the latest Tesco Magazine.

  New term worries – sorted! Here’s my advice in the Tesco Magazine today. Tips for making the transition into secondary school or university easy and panic-free Secondary school 1. ‘Get everything organised and bags packed the night before to avoid a panicked rush,’ says teacher Charlotte Blake. ‘Know your child’s timetable so you can […]