Derwent Inktense blocks differ from other watercolour mediums in that once the colour has been wetted out and allowed to dry, it becomes permanent, it is rather like acrylic ink in block form. In this post we look at how it can be used in the classroom. Read more

Many people will look at these spoons and think ‘that’s just a spoon.’ I see them differently. They are the tools that are going to be used in lots of imaginative adventures. To see their potential you need to see them from a child’s perspective. They are not just spoons but treasure-like magical spoons. Read more

Childhood is all about discovery and learning. Do you remember making perfume with rose petals or mud pies to take home for Dad? Thinking about our own childhood provokes memories and experiences that we had growing up. What memories will you create at home or in the classroom for your children? Do your children have the freedom to experiment, discover and explore? Who knows what trigger will ignite the spark that leads to the next architect, scientist or explorer? Read more

Dyspraxia, also known as Developmental Co-ordination Disorder, is a common disorder that affects movement and co-ordination. It does not affect intelligence, but it may make daily life more difficult. It can affect co-ordination skills – such as tasks requiring balance or playing sports – and fine motor skills, such as writing or using small objects. Read more

Outdoor Classroom Day is a global campaign to celebrate and inspire outdoor learning and play. Thousands of schools around the world take part and sign up on the Outdoor Classroom Day website to access lots of wonderful lesson ideas and to share their experiences. It is completely free! There are a choice of dates to suit different term times and climates around the world - the next one is Thursday the 1st November 2018 and Thursday the 23rd May 2019. In this digital age there are so many benefits to children being outdoors and having a connection with nature: It can improve children’s health, both physically and mentally, engage them in learning and make their childhood fun! Children learn important life skills such as teamwork, resilience and creativity. Autumn term in the UK is a fantastic time to be outdoors as much as possible. As long as everyone dresses appropriately it is an incredible learning experience and a fun way of teaching children about seasons. Read more

A mud kitchen is a great way to get children outdoors and playing amongst nature in the most creative way. Whether building, baking, mixing, painting or potion making, the activities offered by a mud kitchen are limited only by the imagination! Read more

Looking for some Eco themed inspiration? In this blog we have collated and share 25 ideas for your school or Eco Club. Read more

The key to print making and creating printing blocks is in the preparation; having time to experiment with shapes and textures, making allowances for pattern joining and building the understanding that sometimes less is more. Read more

A cross-curricular STEM class kit for 30 pupils working in groups of 3 to design, build, wire up and program four different computer controlled working models incorporating structures, mechanical and electrical systems. Read more

‘A Boy Called Christmas’ by Matt Haig was first published in 2015 and is essential Christmas reading for 7-11 year olds. It is the ‘true’ story of how Father Christmas came to do what he does! Filled with heart and humour, this is a fantastic book to inject Christmas spirit into your lessons, whilst keeping up the learning until the end of term. Read more

A shimmering selection of environmentally friendly glitter - ideal for messy play and adding sparkle to any craft. A biodegradable glitter, offering the same glittering experience without the environmental worry. Read more

Childhood should be a magical time, filled with wonderful events and activities which then become treasured memories. To celebrate this we have put together a few ideas, including small mementoes that are fun to make and special to look back on for years to come. Read more

An autistic pupil once explained to me that autistic people were like Apple technology products - they had an IOS operating system - whilst the rest of the world, the neurotypicals, ran on Windows. I thought that this was brilliant. In my opinion both IOS and Windows operating systems are fantastic but different. Read more

Open-ended play is nothing new, but these Crates are our new staple for play, fun and developing engaging scenes to spark curiosity! Read more

Recognising that a huge range of computing technology is available, we have put together a guide to help you choose which resources you might use at each stage of the programming journey. Read more

Zentangle© is a method of drawing that was developed by Maria and Rick Thomas. It is a way of drawing structured patterns that is focused, meditative and calming. If you can write your own name then you can do Zentangle© drawing. The aim is to focus on the line you are drawing and nothing else. A lot of people use Zentangle© as a form of mindfulness and some claim it helps with relieving stress and anxiety. Read more