If you have time I highly, highly recommend watching or listening to this absolutely fascinating parliamentary evidence on screen time, digital poverty and education, with Baroness Kidron who’s career has taken her from making movies for Stephen Spielberg to groundbreaking protections for young people online Screen time and Wellbeing Speakers include: John McGee, Senior Policy […]
‘The New Digital Divide’ is digital wellness — which means responsible and healthy relationships with technology — all part of overall children & student wellbeing which is an essential 21st-century skill. It is not uncommon that children spend 6 to 8 hours on digital screens every day. Some children are taught knowledge and skills necessary […]
As a former Deputy Headteacher I read with dismay a rather unhelpful tweet from Lord Andrew Adonis to say he’d written to Ofsted chief, Amanda Spielman, concerned that schools are not providing enough online learning. Teachers who were just recovering from Sir Michael Wilshaw’s Newsnight suggestion that schools should work evenings and weekends to […]
Being a teenager is fraught with being self conscious, yet in this digital age where image is everything teenagers are under a lot of pressure to be ‘perfect.’ The survey by the ‘Be Real Campaign’ suggests that schools could do more to combat this unrealistic expectation of what it is to have a perfect body. […]
Help may be at hand for you if you are guilt-ridden, time-poor parents who always think you’re not quite up to the mark! Parenting is fantastic, rewarding and the most important job in the world but sometimes it’s tough, challenging and time-consuming. A new parenting technique called FAST could be the answer to stop you […]
As regular readers of my blog will know I was a Deputy Head & Class Teacher for 25 years so I have seen quite a few playground toys fads and crazes in my time. From Ninja Turtles to those colourful loom wrist bands, to Tamagotchi pets I’ve seen them ALL. So, its no surprise that […]
An interview with my great pal across the pond – Dr. Lynne Kenney on how kindness and collaboration can improve children’s behaviour in the classroom. Lynne Kenney, Psy.D., is a practicing pediatric psychologist, author and international educator in Scottsdale, AZ. With a keen interest in changing the trajectory of children’s learning through cognitive-exercise, Dr. Kenney […]
Due to my fantastic partnership with KidZania London, I am delighted to extend an exclusive offer for your school as a “Thank you” for buying the Can Do Kids Journal! KidZania London are offering your school a FREE CLASS VISIT between the 1st and 16th December 2016! Simply call 0330 131 3331 and quote “SUE […]
As my regular readers will know I used to be a Deputy Head teacher and I also taught Reception Class children starting school. So I was surprised to read about the rising number of children still in nappies when they start primary school. Staff say they are increasingly forced to disrupt classes to change pupils or […]
Are you kids using i pads at school ? Here’s an interesting article about the positive impact the introduction of iPads are having in schools from Edudemic
I know just how this teacher feels as a former Deputy Head ! Schools quake in fear of Ofsted instead of seeing it as an opportunity to get inspiring new ideas and positive feedback. The culture of blame and shame really doesn’t help schools or teachers feel valued or improve morale as everyone has become […]
As a former Head of PSHE Department I was interested in this new survey by Mumsnet. When Mumsnet heard that the government was conducting an internal review into Personal, Social, Health and Economics (PSHE) education, they thought it would be useful to conduct a Mumsnet sex education survey to gather your views on the thorny matter of […]
The New York Times has been running articles examining the effectiveness of what people call e-learning in US schools. In a nutshell, they have found little or no evidence that it boosts students’ grades, despite a widespread belief by schools that it does. Schools it appears invest in expensive digital learning aids in the hope that […]
We were away in South Africa last week when Jamie Oliver’s new Dream School programme aired on Channel 4. As a former Deputy Head and Class Teacher for 22 years before changing direction into writing, broadcasting and parent coaching I found it fascinating. Some of you who follow me on Twitter will remember a rant I had […]
I’ve just been interviewed on LBC London Radio about Chinese schoolchildren sitting mandatory manners classes in an attempt to smooth some of the rougher edges off modern Chinese society and whether we should introduce the idea over here in the UK. Personally I think social skills help children build and maintain positive relationships with […]
A Practical Guide
A calm, practical starter guide from Sue Atkins to help you handle smartphones, social media, gaming, sleep and online pressure — without rows or panic.
Download the free scripts and tips here.
