For an author like myself, who's recently had a book published, the lockdown has been a particular blow. It all started out so well. I had a brilliant launch day, on World Book Day, where I gave a whole-school assembly talk, did workshops with the children and signed...
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...
I’ve made it my goal for this year to get out and meet more of my readers. Whilst this, on the surface, seems perfectly obvious and a natural thing to want to do, I can tell you for sure that, for me, it’s been no easy feat. Though a natural introvert, at one point, I...
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...
As we approach the end of the year, I always take the time to think about my intentions for the year ahead and whether I stuck to, or achieved, what I had set out to for the current year. It’s also the end of a decade and this is a good opportunity for all of us to...
Unleash your creativity by rediscovering your inner child. Creativity is about putting your imagination to work. And when it comes to imagination, let’s face it, kids have it by the bucket load. As a creative writing tutor for children, I see this all the time and it...
The first cup of coffee of the day. Waking up and realising it's the weekend and you don't have to get up so early. Clean, fresh sheets on the bed, cool and crisp. Wrapping up in a blanket when it's cold outside. Thick, knitted socks. Losing myself in my writing....
I am sitting in a bedroom of a house dating back to the 1600s. The upstairs floor is so warped that my desk is at a slight angle. The white-washed walls are cracked and anything but smooth or symmetrical. I adore this room. It's cosy and charming and I keep finding...
Do you see social media as a positive thing? A recent discussion with friends got me thinking about my own relationship with social media. Some of these friends have come off it completely, but I'm not sure I could do that, or even if I would want to. What about you?...
It’s a miserable, damp Sunday morning. Too early to be out and about, but when your teen has a job and needs transport, there’s not much you can do about that. The rain is pelting the car. The automatic lights have come on, even though it’s almost 9 a.m. It should...
“Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know which one you’re gonna get.” Remember who said that? It was Forrest Gump. I love that film don’t you? I find it impossible to say that quote, though, without adding the southern lilt (even if it’s in my head). I love...
French novelist, Marcel Proust, famously wrote about the childhood memories that came flooding back to him when he dipped a Madeleine in a cup of tea. He had been feeling down up until this point, but the taste of the cake evoked in him, memories of being a child when...
My thoughts for today are on the importance of rituals and routine. We’re creatures of habit are we not? When the children were small, they needed a routine in place for them. It was so much easier on us all if we knew what to expect out of our day. As an adult, I...
I’ve been thinking a lot recently, about being an introvert and what that means. I guess that’s something an introvert might typically do, but it’s helped me gain an understanding of the type of person I truly am. I often joke, there’s a reason why I’m a writer and...
Over the May Bank Holiday, I took part in the Chiddingstone Castle Literary Fair. The fair, which takes place both inside the castle and around the ground, runs from Saturday to Tuesday and this was it’s fourth year. I was there on Family Day, running workshops with...
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....