How did I get here?
In launching the new website I rewrote all of the text. It occurred to me that the old site didn't really explain how I got where I got to, and why I might feel I am qualified to write materials that others might want to read!
Raising children is a very personal thing, and quite frankly the most important job in the world. So why would want to be told how to do it by me?
Here’s what I wrote on the new site. Hopefully you will see that I have had input throughout my life which has allowed me to build up knowledge about children and their learning, but I also have lots of contacts with whom I can talk, discuss things, look at key developments, and the things I have learned from being around children so much are not just my lifetime of interest, but that of all of the people I know and who I have had the privilege of working with.
Who is Blossom?
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.
My Mum and Dad and both grandmothers were teachers and headteachers. My parents also founded an educational publishing company themselves and so I was aware of the importance of early years thinking and theory since before I can remember. I even helped out in my Mum’s classroom as a kid, listening to readers, and I worked on play-schemes in my summer breaks while at Uni. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t surrounded by talk about children, education and play.
From before I had my own children, and right through their childhood, I was so lucky. I had advice, support, guidance, theory, explanations, and inspiration from my Mum, who was by that time a local authority early years advisor.
Parenting is a tricky journey, but I had an expert holding my hand and informing my decision making. This gave me confidence in my judgements and what I did at home to support my sons. When I became a teacher, I passed much of my experience and advice on to appreciative parents and some of those parents still ask for my advice today!
I felt that this support should be available to all parents. Sound, level headed, factual and research based advice for parents who don’t want to read a whole book. Parents who are busy and want to get the best out their time with their children. There’s stuff all over the internet, but parents need a one stop place which combines the teachers and parent’s perspective and helps you navigate your child’s learning path. A place where you can find ideas that work, not just the ones that look pretty!
So I set up Blossom. Blossom materials and resources are all based on the advice and support I give to the parents of kids in my class, received from my colleagues and my parents, and all the gems I have ‘magpied’ along the way. I have taken all the key bits of my teaching practice, parenting, and training and made them accessible and easy for busy parents to fit into their lives. And now they are available to everyone!
My mission is to empower parents and involve them in their child’s education. To help them to be hyper-effective with their time and to boost their child’s learning power in ways that will last throughout their lives. There’s a funny thing about working with kids under the age of 6. Everything you do with them leaves a lasting footprint well into their adulthood. Working with them now is more effective than at any other point in their lives.
Engaged parents are like magic to their children’s education. You can make the difference to your child’s future now with Blossom and just ten minutes together each day.
And my promise to you is that I am here to support you. If I don’t know something, I will know someone who does, and the network of teaching colleagues I have cover all aspects of education right up to degree level!
Take a look at our Blossom Guides. They are a great place to start!
I hope you will let me help you and your child to blossom.
