Monthly Archives: February 2011

Who are the experts?

Posted on February 25, 2011 by

A recent TED talk about the limitations of experts led me to pose the above question.  In the education of our children – who are the experts?  For some it is the teacher’s job to teach reading , writing  and … Continue reading →

Posted in early education & play, education, experts, home school partnership, parenting, parents | Tagged | Leave a comment

Breast Milk Ice cream

Posted on February 24, 2011 by

  This made me chuckle.  I was just reading a news item on Netmums about an ice-cream parlour in Convent garden who are selling Breast Milk flavour ice cream.  They have paid £15 to mums for donating milk and they’re … Continue reading →

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Who touched your life when you were a child? – Michael Morpurgo’s Richard Dimbleby Lecture

Posted on February 21, 2011 by

I have finally managed to watch Michael Morpurgo’s Richard Dimbleby Lecture.  How refreshing to hear someone from outside of the world of Education recognising how undervalued the Early Years profession is.  The lack of financial reward and status means that … Continue reading →

Posted in books, childhood, children, early education & play, literacy, Michael Morpurgo, passion, Random Thoughts & Life Stories, reading, Richard Dimbleby Lecture, Sir Ken Robinson, teaching, The Element, uniqueness, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Turning 40

Posted on February 18, 2011 by

As my 40th birthday approaches, my plans for celebrating it with all my friends in a large house together have been thwarted.  I had booked a beautiful manor house in Monmouthshire http://www.Treowen.co.uk , and was looking forward to partying in … Continue reading →

Posted in 40, birthday, Random Thoughts & Life Stories, Treowen | Tagged | 2 Comments

Hooray for Kindle!

Posted on February 16, 2011 by

My most useful recent purchase has to be my Amazon Kindle.  As part of a de-clutter my husband suggested selling/giving away our room full of books and replacing the ones that we really like on a Kindle.  I wasn’t really … Continue reading →

Posted in Amazon Kindle, books, children, reading, review | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

I see and I forget, I hear and I remember,I do and I understand.

Posted on February 10, 2011 by

    The Chinese proverb above illustrates the common practice of active learning in early years education, except that maybe we would say ‘ I play and I understand’. Early years educators are often criticised for having an easy job, … Continue reading →

Posted in active learning, early education & play, Jenny Mosley, play, reflection, Reggio Emilia | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Brain Food – Junk Food may lower IQ.

Posted on February 8, 2011 by

As parents we are keen to get our children the latest educational toy, send them to the best nurseries and pre-schools and give them the best preparation for school that they can.    A research study conducted by the University of … Continue reading →

Posted in brain development, childhood, early education & play, healthy diet, IQ, junk food, parenting, toddlers | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment