Author Archives: patguyschoolandfamily

Benjamin Spock “Play is the work of the child.” Play develops children’s physical skills. Play helps to develop children’s physical ability: strength, stamina, spatial awareness and handeye coordination, in a natural and enjoyable way.  Play enables children to burn off surplus energy. When young children begin to fidget and lose concentration in the classroom, aContinue reading “Why is play important for children’s physical and mental well-being?”

In addition to improving children’s general levels of physical fitness, playing sport provides other, perhaps less obvious, opportunities. Sport will help children to: – Understand the importance of healthy living. When children are interested in sport, they will be more aware of what a healthy diet looks like, the dangers of smoking, and the consequenceContinue reading “Sport and well-being”

How do we compensate for the interruptions to children’s education caused by Covid? How will gaps created in children’s knowledge be filled? Looking back on my own school days, I wonder about the usefulness of many of the topics I studied. So much knowledge turned out to be superfluous to my needs as an adult:Continue reading “Compensating for Covid disruption in school – challenging the educational status quo.”

The start of a new term in September is always an important occasion for families: some children will be excited and enthusiastic about returning to school, others less so.  It is important for adults to remind themselves of the immaturity of children’s emotional systems. Even the most confident child can be thrown by transitions: startingContinue reading “Back to School – Advice for Parents”

Following yet another set of excellent ‘A’ level and GCSE results for girls, Professor Alan Smithers, Advisor to the Commons Education Select Committee, wrote in the Times of his conclusion that ‘girls are cleverer than boys.’  However, if women are the cleverer sex, why do so few hold positions of responsibility in politics, business andContinue reading “Woman Spreading”

(The Matthew Effect = To those that have, shall be given more.) Corandic. Corandic is an emurient grof with many fribs: it granks from corite, an olg which cargs like lange. Corite grinkles several other taranaces, which garkers excarp by glarcking the corite and starping it in tranker-clarped strobs. The tarances starp a chark whichContinue reading “Reading and the Matthew Effect.”

‘Give me a child till he’s seven, and I will show you the man’. (Aristotle) Aristotle maintained that an individual’s personality is formed before their seventh birthday. The foundations of character are laid early in life, and to become happy and successful adults, babies and young children need the same sort of care: – ParentsContinue reading “Aristotle and the Marshmallows.”

I wanted to share with you today this wonderful drawing by my grandson Jamie – which goes alongside a brand new Olivia and the Proverbs story. I have always loved the enchantment of children’s drawings – I think they are so special. I adore their colour choices, the creativity and the often hilarious innocence ofContinue reading “Good things come to those who wait…”

Bullying happens to lots of people, so how can you deal with it? Speak out. Ensure that no-one can ignore the situation. Everyone should be aware of what is happening: subject teachers, parents, form tutors, Heads of Year, lunch time supervisors, school counsellors and peers. This will help everyone: you may be the target thisContinue reading “Bullying at School”

While all young people find transitioning to university challenging, ASD students may find it more challenging than most. Research and preparation are essential. Look at the websites of the universities that you are considering: they will provide information of the support the university offers students with additional needs.  Contact each university’s Disability Advice Team forContinue reading “Higher Education and Autistic Spectrum Disorder – different strokes for different folks.”