I’m raising my teenage daughters to be Much stronger than me. To know their strengths, hold themselves in esteem, To follow their dreams. To know that happiness comes in many guises, To get out and see the sunrises. To stand up for themselves and each other, To...
I directed my World Book Day 2021 message specifically at reluctant readers. Why? Because I know how much of a struggle it can be. I know how disheartening it is to constantly be told you must read more when all you see are partially read books piling up beside your...
As a mum of a reluctant reader, this is not a new challenge for me. I’ve been all around the houses and back again trying to encourage a love of reading in my daughter, but nothing really seems to work. In fact, I’ve even written in defence of the reluctant reader...
It’s the moment we’ve been waiting for isn’t it? With both anticipation and dread, parents up and down the country have been keeping everything crossed that come September, children would be able to go back to school. Now we’re into the first week, how do you feel...
What does it mean to have to home educate your children now the schools have closed? The rapid spread of the Coronavirus has meant events moving very quickly indeed. I think we all knew, deep down, that schools would close evenutally, but I don't know about you, I...
I'm delighted to bring you a guest post today from Laura Hamm. Laura is the founder of Fabled (www.fabledkids.com) which helps kids create and share their stories. She’s a recovering bureaucrat - having worked in 10 Downing Street, The Treasury, and the National...
There is a common misconception that once a child can read confidently on their own, you should stop reading aloud to them. Most parents stop reading to their child by the time they are eight years-old, with only 19% of 8-10's being read to on a daily basis. Research...
Many children have no problems coming up with a story idea. Others can think of ideas, but struggle to write them down. Then there are those who not only find coming up with ideas an arduous task, they are reluctant to write at all. I’ve met all these types of...
You know how much emphasis I put on the importance of reading, and on encouraging children to love stories and enjoy writing. Today though, I’m championing the reluctant readers out there, those who feel the pressure of being constantly told they must read more. I am...
‘You’ve cancelled the cleaner?’ A friend said. ‘Why on earth would you do that?’ I have to admit, it was a throw-the-toys-out-of-the-pram moment that led to me giving notice on our weekly clean, but it was costing me over £50 a week of my hard-earned money, and the...
Although many would argue handwriting is a dying art, learning to write by hand is an important part of development, covering everything from hand-eye coordination, to cognitive and fine motor skills, gross motor skills and core strength. The brain works in a...
Which aspects of the internet tap into kids’ interests? Recent Ofcom research examined in-depth data collected from a panel of 40 boys and girls, aged 4-16, from around the UK. The children kept seven-day diaries and were interviewed regarding what they watch and why....
I have been helping people improve their writing for a long time. Using words is a powerful way to communicate, and businesses understand that. We may live in a digital world, but we can’t ignore the need to reach out to customers, to stand out from the competition...
Did you ever have a pen pal? Did you regularly write letters to friends? Recently, I shared a picture on Instagram of a box of old letters I’d kept, dating back to my early teens. I remarked on how this box of letters is my teenage life, catalogued. It is my email...
In a recent survey, the National Literacy Trust looked at the relationship between attitudes towards reading and writing and mental wellbeing amongst children. The results suggest children who have a more positive experience with regards to reading and writing are...
If you have a child who finds writing difficult and doesn’t enjoy it, have you considered whether it is the physical act of writing that is holding them back, rather than a disinterest in doing it? The physical requirements for writing are extensive and may surprise...
I’ve been reading a few blog posts recently about how to survive the summer holidays when you’re a work-at-home mum, how to keep your little ones occupied etc. and I realised I am at an awkward age with my three. At 9, 11 and 14 they don’t want to go to kids clubs...
The Summer Reading Challenge for 2018 is called Mischief Makers in honour of the much-loved children's title Beano, which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year. Children will follow clues and explore a map of Beanotown to find the mysterious buried treasure, with...
Storymakers is a creative writing club for kids. UPDATE: THE CREATIVE WRITING SUMMER WORKSHOPS HAVE NOW FINISHED. FOR DETAILS OF WEEKLY GROUPS FROM SEPTEMBER, PLEASE GO TO THE STORYMKAKERS WEBSITE: http://www/storymakersclub.com In addition to weekly groups, we offer...
Research by the National Literacy Trust examines attitudes towards writing among children and young adults. Much has been done in terms of studying the importance of wider reading for enjoyment and its connection to reading ability, but what about writing? The...