The return to school often comes with renewed plans for better routines. There may be promises to pack bags the night before, keep track of every letter and complete homework without the usual last-minute scramble. A few weeks into term, however, the kitchen table is covered in books, someone has lost a charger and an unfinished assignment is causing tension just before bedtime.
Whenever temperatures in the UK rise significantly above what we would normally expect during the summer months, a familiar debate begins to emerge. Should schools remain open during periods of extreme heat, or should they close to protect pupils and staff?
Early childhood is an extremely important window of opportunity to shape a child’s brain as it is developing rapidly from age one to three. Toddlers are constantly learning about their environment and how to move and explore during this time. All experiences, particularly play, influence their physical, emotional and cognitive development. Toys are not only for play, they are also tools that enable learning and skill development. They are important for developing motor skills and sensory skills which are essential for growth and development. Motor skills are those using the body’s muscle movement, and sensory development is the way in which children take in information through their senses. This article will delve into how toys can help these areas.
For many students, university is about far more than lectures, coursework and exams. Increasingly, degree programmes include opportunities for work placements, internships, year-in-industry schemes, teaching practice, clinical placements, and other forms of hands-on experience designed to prepare students for life after graduation.
It happens to the best of us. The weekend finally arrives, but the British weather has other plans, leaving families stuck indoors watching the rain pour down the windows. Finding ways to keep children entertained without relying entirely on screens can feel like a daunting task for parents.
You’re making breakfast, hunting for a missing shoe and trying to get everyone out of the door, so “learning time” may sound like one more thing you’re supposed to fit in. The good news is that children don’t only learn from worksheets, clubs or carefully planned activities.
If your teenager is in the middle of GCSEs, you’ll know what I mean when I say the whole house feels it. Late nights, slammed doors, the silent meltdown over Maths Paper 2 at 9pm on a Sunday. It’s hard on them and it’s hard on you, and you spend a fair bit of the term trying to help without really knowing how.
Screen-free STEM activities for kids are becoming a popular solution, offering a way to combine play with real learning. One standout option is Build Your Own Kits, a range of eco-friendly construction kits designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and hands-on exploration.