Nature Data Collection

Can you estimate the percentage of children in the UK who cannot identify an oak leaf? I have been carrying out little surveys in the classes I’ve been teaching.

Depending on the intensity of the planning left, it’s always an exciting adventure to have the opportunity to get the kids out of class into nature.

The other day I visited a wonderful wildlife garden in a school and the class hadn’t been outside once this term to visit it.

Another school has an entire woodland area, and again the kids hadn’t stepped on a single twig. One teacher had been requested to no longer take his kids there as it was eating into too much curriculum time.

This isn’t true of many lovely schools I visit, however there are many not appreciating the benefits of getting kids outdoors.

What’s the impact of this nature disconnection?

Each evening, I lay out my supply teaching clothes, CRB lanyard, and an oak leaf for my own data nature connection collection.

Will share my statistically unreliable findings soon 😉

Jane

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Sticks and Stones Do Hurt Kids

As usual there was an intense amount of work left to cover and no time factored in to create connection.

People say, ‘Jane how do you know what to do, what’s it like walking into a class you have never met and teaching them, do they mess about?’

A handwritten 2 page letter was left on the desk informing me of the 12 most troublesome children including: ‘f has ADHD, x, y and z are trying to be the alpha males, s is sooo lazy really stamp on him, t is aggressive, l calls out all the time, s daydreams. ‘I’ want to know all the details, please leave as much feedback as possible’

The simple exchange of a smile, taking an interest in a book a pupil has on their desk, or noticing their pencilcase design, can make the difference between a successful or exhausting supply cover day.

Alongside the endless writing abd back to back lessons I weaved in 5 minutes of my ‘Community Circle’. A circle of connection, which positively transforms the energy in any classroom. Not just for schools.

In these circles we celebrate our uniqueness and wholeness, get present to eachothers’ stories and develop a flourishing community and culture.

Take care when casting words and spells as they can stick and hurt. U get my drift?

Jane 🕉️
Boosting Resilience. Resourcefulness and Real World Thinking
Play Alchemist
#frustrationexpert

Sleep and the benefits of Bedtime Routines for children

Do your children have a bedtime ritual? 

Below is a gentle idea to soothe them before bedtime and ease them into sleep.

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A Simple Bedtime Idea

My brother in law responded to my newsletter, ‘Simple Ways To Enhance Children’s Sleep‘ by sending over a beautiful message about his evening wind down routine. This included lighting a candle before he snuggles under his soft covers. I shared his story with my daughter.
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After she’s cleaned her teeth, my daughter lights our little buddha statue, and then settles back for a short and calming foot massage. When she was little she would enjoy calming yoga poses too.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Yesterday, my husband returned from Indonesia with stories of the recent dreadful earthquake, which we didn’t share at bedtime.

Sleep tight.

Jane

In a world of constant distraction and stimulation teaching your children the magic of silence©

via Are You Paying Attention?

Are You Paying Attention?

The simplest things in life can have the most profound effects.

Would you agree?

Papayas Pinched by the Monkeys

Our porch in Tanzania was overlooked by a volcano called Mount Meru, breathtaking on clear days.

Monkeys would climb the papaya tree, pinching fruit, often boldly entering the house.

Grazes, rashes or burns eased with juice from the aloe vera

The children played on the grass infront, or went off on adventures around the vast school campus.

Adults strolled together through the surrounding villages and coffee plantations.

It’s not always easy to measure the impact an experience has on us.

A conversation with a stranger.

A connection with a family member or friend.

A family adventure

Are you paying attention?

Jane Tyson
Solving World Problems One Mum at a Time
#Frustrationexpert

How Can Eating Together Improve Our Kids’ Well Being?

How eating together improves health and wellbeing and family connection.

Jane Tyson

What’s It Like Eating Together?

Do you enjoy mealtimes together as a family, do you have time to sit together, are you happy with the food choices you make and feel you have good variety and balance, is eating with your kids an enjoyable, relaxed experience?

The Benefits of Eating Together

The knock on effect of eating together isn’t just that kids usually eat more healthily, studies have found there’s a whole host of other benefits including reduced stress, good mental health, improved grades, saving money, better family relationships and greater happiness, more here.

But We Don’t Have Time To Eat Together

Its not always easy though for us to eat together, life is busy with work, busy-ness, kids’ activities and maybe our kids aren’t great eaters, are getting on our nerves, and we don’t actually want to sit with them as it’s stressful!

What About The Fussy Eaters?

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Why the Dandelion Wee-d

 An invasive, independent and stubborn plant beneficial for Bees, Bugs, Birds & Us.

Due to the jagged young leaves it is also know as ‘Lions Tooth’. The roots, leaf and flowers are medicinal and parts are rich in vitamin A, C and Calcium, and pupport to support treating diabetes, UTIs, freshening skin, relieving acne, weight loss, and much more. It’s been around a while, 30 million years.

 Young leaves can be added to salads as can the yellow flowers, the roots made into various therapeutic brews, poultices, coffee, smoothies etc😯

What do you do with yours? 😉

JaneTyson.co.uk