Game: What If …

What If … is a great game for encouraging children to think about the consequences of actions, which is important for developing good self-control and forward-planning skills, about how the world around them works, and about how to deal with any mistakes and failures which Read More …

Core Life Skill: Growth Mindset

What Is It? A growth mindset is a way of looking at the world which embraces mistakes and failures, seeing them as opportunities to learn something new, rather than being something to be afraid of and avoid. This means it makes people more open to Read More …

Online Resource: To Raise Brave Girls, Encourage Adventure (Ted Talk by Caroline Paul)

This is a thought-provoking Ted Talk by Caroline Paul that I consider a must-watch for parents of young girls. It discusses how you can raise girls who are willing to take on the world, rather than sit back and watch it passively pass them by. As the Read More …

Game: Three Things I Learned Today

Three Things I Learned Today is a game that will help your child see learning as a positive experience, to s find positive outcomes from mistakes and failures, and promote a growth mindset. If you play this regularly, it will create a life-long love of learning and a mindset Read More …

Opinion: Ten Ways To Have A Positive Impact On A Child (No Matter How Much Time You Spend With Them)

Most people wish to have a positive impact on the children in their lives, but many assume that to do so takes a lot of time and effort. This means that they leave such things to others, such as their partners, parents or teachers. However, the science Read More …

Book Recommendation: Growth Mindset Pocketbook (2014)

A mindset is the way that a person’s brain assesses and responds to particular situations, and there are two basic types. These are a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. Those with a fixed mindset believe that their ability to cope with situations and resolve problems are constrained Read More …

Game: Outdoor Chalk-Drawing

There is something that seems very old-fashioned about the idea of children spending time outside drawing pictures on a driveway or other suitable outside space using chalk, but even in the modern age, it’s an activity that many children will love. It’s also very cheap, and Read More …

Picture Book: Your Fantastic Elastic Brain

Your Fantastic Elastic Brain by JoAnn Deak and Sarah Ackerley is a great way to introduce your child to what goes on inside their head, and how they can shape and stretch their brains to allow them to get better at doing whatever task they might want Read More …

Picture Book: Beautiful Oops (2010)

Beautiful Oops! by Barney Salzberg is a wonderfully unique picture book which shows children that, rather than being a cause of despair, every paper tear, paint spill or bent page is a new opportunity to be ever more creative. In short, it’s a great way to encourage your child to own their mistakes Read More …

Book Recommendation: The Gift Of Failure

Parents, by their very nature, wish to protect their child as much as they possibly can, but if this protection is taken too far, then it ends up causing deep and long-term damage to a child’s development, self-confidence and ability to grow into a fully functional Read More …