Inspiring children to grow & learn

Fast approaching half term? Here's the thing: 🏕🛩⛵This Book Stinks ⛵🛩🏕 Who is it for? Children who are going on holiday! Why is it good? Because Emma has included lots of fun ideas and activities for all those in-between moments when you are on holiday. Ideas that will help you to have conversations at the end of a day or whilst waiting for a meal or on a train journey or that will include a little opportunity for writing (in a fun way – no marking scheme!). The travel journals are mindful and fun and a great way of recording memories of a trip/vacation whether big or small. What next? If you want a version for an older teen or a parent then take a look at You are here. #ebclarke #thisbookstinks #emmaclarke #youarehere #mindfultravel #traveljournals

**Last Children's Mental Health Week post.** There is an amazing quote about living life forwards and understanding life backwards… Do you know the one? I can't recall who said it right now but I think it is so true. By presenting a simple and visual explanation, we can help a little – especially with understanding and emotional literacy. For example, I think the feeling of anger gets a bad press. There's sometimes a different emotion layered behind the anger feeling – sometimes it might take a bit of time to process what is that feeling underneath. Or we might only understand it in hindsight. Once again, illustration credit to brilliant @marionibird and writing credits to @lindsay_in_other_words The Emotions Poster Pack, Bosky Publishing. These posters are general and educational and not individualised support or advice. #emotionalawareness #emotionalliteracy

🍫I'm literally drinking a hot chocolate right now whilst typing this post! 🍫@lindsay_in_other_words wrote the Emotions Poster Pack and wrote this poster about moving emotions. This illustration by Marion is all about hot chocolate breathing which is one way you can move and do something with your breathing. It involves imagining that you are breathing in and noticing the lovely smell of a hot chocolate and then breathing out gently. (There's a little more to it but that's a good summary!) I love this illustration and using our imagination to move our energy and not get stuck in one place. #energyandmovement #movingemotions #breathingideas Illustration credit: @marionibird From the Emotions Poster Pack, Bosky Publishing

For me, I find mindfulness a really good way to focus on the present moment and to help when my brain is busy. When a lot is going on in life and it feels like I am constantly on a screen, then standing at the window and looking outside helps. I narrate what I can see and describe the colours. I normally try to think of 5 things I can see. And I find that when I have got to the fifth thing, it has helped. Even better for me, is going out for a walk. I like hearing and noticing my footsteps and looking at the sky and how it is changing. These posters are a good reminder of the ways we can be present or notice what is going on for us. They are general ideas (and not individualised therapy advice of course) but I believe they are all helpful and present feelings in a way that is understandable and gentle. #mentalhealthmindfulness #mindfulmentalhealth illustration credit @marionibird from the Emotions Poster Pack, Bosky Publishing.

Here's the thing: 🐝Step-by-Step to Spelling (7-9)🐝 Who is is for? Children who are learning to spell the Year 3 & 4 common exception wordlist. (In England, Year 3 & 4 is age 7 to 9 years old but your child may be ready to learn these at a different point.) Why is it good? Because I have made these with very short bursts of practice; the spellings aren't learnt once and forgotten – they appear for 5 days in a short burst each day. The way to practise them is #multisensory which helps children to make links with the meaning of the word, a little sketch and the way it is written. There are common letter patterns which help to make the group of words. You can set up a really tiny habit to learn how to practise spellings. It's all laid out in a really easy-to-use format so you as a parent can pick it up and help really quickly. It has all the Year 3 & 4 common exception words in one 🐸bright green🐸 book. a) You are less likely to lose it and b) You know you are working through all those words in the one book. And you can focus on helping with one thing which helps some children rather than a book that covers lots of different aspects of learning all at the same time. What next? When your child knows these, you can move onto the Year 5 & 6 words. Ta-dah! There you have it. One useful (and low cost) resource to help you and your child. #spellingathome #learntospell #commonexceptionwords #commonexception #nationalcurriculumforengland #nationalcurriculum #primaryschoolparents

January has been interesting – there has been a lot packed in the last month. I went to BETT with my EdCon role, went to a Greater Manchester Business Growth Hub networking event, done an activity session at the Potting Shed in Compstall and today I have been looking at fonts. Variety is good for the soul. Sunshine is also good for the soul and you'll be pleased to know I've put in an order for more of that in February 😆🤭. Happy weekend!