Mum’s testimonial: Parents are the real experts says learning disability charity founder

Deborah Gundle talks about www.netbuddy.org.uk and how other parents are the key to making it work. Read More »

Let me play (Trust me … I’m learning)

A picture speaks a thousand words and this is one of my favourites. A shame it wasn’t around in 1999 when my 4 year old son was being constantly scolded, chastised and persecuted by his teachers. I’ve felt for a long time that children in the UK start school far too early and when this is compounded by being an August born child – the odds for a smooth ride in the early years, dwindle to virtually zero. Read More »

Free accommodations at hospitals for families to stay close to their children

Parents dread the idea of their children being sick. And if that happens they want to be close to them all along. I have come across a great organisation called Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), an independent Charity which aims to provide free ‘home away from home’ accommodation at hospitals across the UK, enabling families to stay close to their child and maintain a degree of normal family life. Read More »

Why you shouldn’t stop your toddler from writing on your walls

Introducing cursive handwriting in the first years of schooling is a daunting task for parent and child alike. Yet, more and more primary schools are insisting that a child entering school should embark on writing at this seemingly complicated level. Read More »

If I ask questions will a child talk to me?

I work with children as a speech and language therapist. It is a job I love! It totally fulfills me; what a privilege that I get to talk to kids all day and listen to them express themselves in all their fantastic ways. As a speech and language therapist, it is my job to create a communication environment for a child that is warm, welcoming and therefore easy for a child to communicate in, both verbally and non-verbally. Recently though, I had to stop myself. Read More »

Why learning music is essential for every child

Music and actively playing an instrument helps a young child develop an assortment of skills. A simple activity of an infant banging on a sauce pan with a spoon is potentially developing rhythmic skills. The rhythms create an awareness of sequences. Creating a repeated sequence of noises adds logic to the whole process not to mention the hand eye co-ordination and large motor skill development. Read More »

“I wish you’d never been born!” – Living with a disabled sibling

How often have you heard one of your children say to their brother or sister ‘I wish you’d never been born !’ For the most part, you will choose to ignore it, knowing in the grand scheme of things, this is just a sibling spat which will resolve itself eventually. Read More »

ADHD? What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is predominately a genetically determined condition and not down to ‘bad parenting’ as once thought. Read More »

Why growing sunflowers can help your child with maths!

Parents often ask me about how to get their child interested in maths because ‘they just don’t get it.’ Understandably the same parents go searching for a maths tutor to help bridge the ever growing gap between their child and his peers….what they don’t realise is there is a lot of help they can give at home with a little guidance. Read More »

Why swimming is beneficial to children with Autism

Leading swimming expert Laura Molloy shares her thoughts. International footballer Paul Scholes recently revealed that his young son who suffers with Autism has a love of swimming. Children with emotional, behavioural and communication disorders are known to benefit from sensory stimulation and swimming can offer a child with Autism the perfect respite. Here, Laura Molloy, founder of Swimbabes (www.swimbabes.co.uk) explains why. Read More »