What scares children at night?

A creak on the floor, a shadow on the wall, a half opened cupboard door; children find a way to conjure the scariest scenarios in the dark of night. Explaining that monsters don’t skulk in the shadows and beasts don’t wait under the bed can become a nightly ritual for...
Why does being human complicate happiness?

Why does being human complicate happiness?

Our human experience is simple, and yet being human is excruciatingly complex. We have opposing forces within us, and that’s the core of the battle. On one side, the mind has this natural tendency of using its sense of self and its single focus is on recreating that...
Early Literacy: What is it, and what do I do?

Early Literacy: What is it, and what do I do?

The phrase ‘early literacy’ pops up a lot in the parenting world. Because it sounds like something to do with school, it often lands in the ‘worry about that later’ basket amidst the many other daily challenges of raising a little one. So, what is early literacy, and...
Imaginative play – should we set boundaries?

Imaginative play – should we set boundaries?

Does your child have a vivid imagination that lands them in ‘trouble’? During my thirty years as a primary school teacher, I’ve often come across children just like this – children who, by using their imagination, land themselves in trouble. They might become a little...