Half of the prison population cannot read…….. make reading for 15 minutes with your kids your PRIORITY !
As a former Deputy Head and class teacher and of course now as a writer, I am supporting the Evening Standard’s Campaign “GET LONDON READING” because being able to read empowers children and adults alike and gives people confidence, self esteem and a key life skill. Here is an uplifting article from last week’s Evening Standard. “For 20 years, […]
The Sue Atkins Parenting Expert Podcast – The Positive Parenting MINDSET interview with Dr Rosina McAlpine!
Listen in as I’m interviewed by the very lovely Dr Rosina McAlpine from the “Win Win Parenting” website all about how having a positive mindset can make such a difference to your parenting. We discuss practical tips for giving children self esteem, to ways to help children reach their true potential, and feel good about […]
Why begin Teaching Reading through Games?
As a former Deputy Head and Class Teacher for 22 years teaching children to read is a vital life skill that I feel very passionate about – as kids who can’t read lack confidence, lack opportunities and are disempowered in all areas of life. I used to teach Reception children for a number of years and still […]
Scandal of the homes with not a single book to read.
As a former Deputy Head teacher and class teacher for 22 years I was appalled by the latest survey by the London Evening Standard that points out that thousands of 11 year olds start their secondary school with a reading age of 7. I was interviewed on London LBC Radio this week about this shocking statistic. […]
Watch this video! “Gotta Keep Reading”
Here’s a great version of the Black Eyed Peas video “Gotta Keep Reading” Click here to watch the video – a fun and inventive recreation of the Black Eyed Peas song, “I gotta a feeling.” Get your kids or students excited about reading!
ERIC – and not everyone reading in class !
When I was a class teacher we used to have a 10 -15 minute slot each day called ERIC – Everyone Reading In Class but this is a super site to help with bedwetting – a very common but widely undiscussed problem for families. It can be worrying, frustrating and very stressful for everyone and […]
Reading – the key skill of success
I’ve been working in quite a few schools recently teaching my “Confidence Classes for Kids” workshop and I’ve noticed the different styles of teaching, mentoring and motivating. I was in a failing school with extremely low morale a couple of weeks ago and found myself in full “Tony Robbins” motivational style as I battled to […]
Reading, Rainbows and Rituals
Sometimes in life you just feel so blessed and grateful for the opportunities that come your way don’t you? Well last week I went to a wonderfully inspirational talk about “ Play” at my friend Kathy Kershaw’s excellent School in Esher, Rowan Prep School with Neil Griffiths the author and inspiration behind the Storysack Play […]
Mr Thorne Does Phonics
I am delighted to introduce you to a great friend of mine, a pioneering teacher from Solihull, who has become an internet sensation after helping almost a million people around the world to read. Chris has quite literally taken the world by storm through his amazing videos on YouTube called Mr […]