Learning through play is how young children. make sense the world - in fact play is important at all ages! Sometimes we feel that learning play has to be more serious or more profound and it can be a scary prospect. This blog gives many ideas for easy ways to turn your house into a play arena for young kids!

Ah, the summer half term break! The time when teachers supposedly kick back, relax, and soak up the sun. Picture this: sandy beaches, cool drinks, and not a care in the world. For many, this is the dream. For UK infant and primary school teachers, however, this idyllic vision is often taken over by the reality of report writing. Yes, while the rest of the world is enjoying barbecues and sunbathing, teachers are hard at work, hunched over their laptops, crafting the perfect blend of praise and constructive feedback for each of their pupils.

Rain on a school day is the teacher’s worst enemy. Wet playtimes mean that you don’t get a break as a teacher. Having a quick banana and a sit down can make or break you some days, am I right?

It also means dirty shoes, floors, carpets, uniform, wet coats and trousers and socks. And forget setting anything up outside that can withstand a rain storm, because, while you might have a few things in your toy cupboard that don’t mind getting wet, chances are, your staff don’t like getting wet either and will hide in the role play to avoid it!

My phone distracts me endlessly, so how can I tell others not to be distracted with theirs. I can’t!

Introduction: The first day of school marks an exciting milestone in every child's life. It's a time of new beginnings, boundless possibilities, and the start of a journey that will shape their future. As parents, teachers, and caregivers, we play a crucial role in ensuring that this transition is smooth and positive. In this blog, we will explore the significance of children starting school and provide practical tips to help both children and parents navigate this important milestone.

This week parents all over the country will have found out which school they have been allocated a place for their little person. It’s very stressful waiting, and once the waiting is over, it can be such a relief, or such a worry. Feeling like things are not going to plan for your child is such a triggering experience and finding out you’ve been given a school you were less keen on may well send you into a tail spin!

Today it snowed. And snowed. And then snowed some more. And as I stood in the Y2 classroom I was teaching in, I could see the playing field gradually being covered in a blanket of snow. The tips of the tallest grasses peeking out, and then submitting to the rising tide of frozen flakes. I thought about my car on the car on the car park. It isn’t very good in the snow, but at least I live within walking distance of today’s school….

At around the age of 3 children begin to understand that they are a separate being from everyone else. They can start to see when things are fair or unfair, and they can understand other people’s feelings, recognising emotions in others more easily. This is a gradual process and all children learn and mature at different rates, so some children might show signs of being able to do this earlier, some might not be ready yet. This is all normal.

Blossom was created by me, Sarah Featherstone. I have taught for 14 years, mostly in outstanding infant schools in Sheffield. I have been fortunate enough to work with some amazing people who shared their practice with me over the years. Here’s how I got here so that you can feel confident that I know what I’m doing…

Will break my bones but words will never harm me. What a funny phrase - of course words can hurt me! A classroom exchange causes me to reflect on how we speak to our children.