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About...


About my Blog

It's all about stories is just what it says - a blog about stories!

I believe in the power of stories to help parents and carers and families to inspire their children to read, chat, share stories and to bring families together to build babies' brains and help them to understand the role they play everyday in their childrens' communication development.

I believe in taking a holistic look at children's speech, language and communication development.  So we don't just think about whether children can speak, but whether they are ready to learn to speak - can they listen and pay attention, do they interact with us and show a desire to communicate, how do they play?  All the layers on the pyramid below need to build from the bottom so that children can eventually become confident communicators.  And stories, being read to from birth, sharing stories from birth, are one of the most important things we can do for our childrens' communication development.


I love stories, I've always loved reading, and have always got a book on the go.  I love picture books, and there is some amazing talent among the many artists and illustrators that bring our childrens' picture books to life. I share many of these on the blog and on the facebook page, picture books that I've picked up in charity shops, picture books that publishers have sent me to take a look at, and picture books that I share with the children in my daily work.  

There's a regular bimonthly blog (that's one every 2 months) where I review all the books I shared, loved, read and enjoyed in the past 2 months.  Then there are one off blog postst where I write about a topic that I am passionate about - recently Black Lives Matter, and looking after our planet and our biodiversity.

The blog contains an archive of inspiration from my Story Cafe sessions that I ran for my local preschool over a number of years - a workshop cafe session based on a story theme - The Very Hungry Caterpillar is what the children are exploring in this picture!  Our sessions were based on using a story as inspiration for creative and exploratory play, and as a prompt for talk to build vocabulary and the language of feelings.

And there's plenty of inspiration from my favourite authors and illustrators, play and exploration inspired by stories, communication friendly spaces, loose parts play for babies, toddlers and older children and encouraging communication and language development.

I'm passionate about stories and their connection to early communication and language - inspiring families to help their children's developing communication and language skills.

I'm also passionate about sharing the Brain Story with families - as we understand how childrens' brains develop, and the things we can do to help, we begin to understand that every interaction matters, and that we, as parents, carers and early childhood practitioners, are building babies' brains.

And life is a story - so there will always be some stories to share here.  Stories about authors, illustrators, professional development, reflective practice, outdoor play, embodied maths, diversity and inclusion, stories about our world, climate, biodiversity, stories about what childrens' lives are like, attachment, the lived experiences of children and adverse childhood experiences, and stories about learning because we nver stop learning.

There's also lots of my own ideas for activities based on stories plus links, tips, videos, ideas, photos, and fun, joyful learning...

About Me


I'm a qualified teacher with an additional level 4 Certificate in Early Years Practice. I was chair of a preschool trustee committee for many years.  At present I work with my good friend who is a local childminder, and we run an Ofsted outstanding setting for local children and families.

For many years, as part of my work with my local preschool, I ran family Story Cafe workshops called Rainbow Cafe for preschool families, as well as workshops for families with younger children with a communication and language emphasis. 

And I've been part of a group of friends running a drop-in parent and toddler group for the last 17 years (wow!), First Steps, which has grown since the pandemic to open three mornings as week offering stay & play sessions, Story Cafe sessions, and story sessions in the park.


It's All About Stories on Facebook

It's All About Stories now has a Facebook page.  It will have links to all the blog posts plus other updates regularly about stories, children's books, play and learning, and which books we've been reading and buying recently.

Click here to see the page...

It's All About Stories on Pinterest


I've got some great boards on Pinterest, all about the blog, stories, story activities, treasure baskets, heuristic play and activities and spaces for play for child minders.  Plus, my personal likes such as birds, cycling, books and art.


Click here to see my boards...

It's all about stories on Instagram

Every month, "pick of the stories" on my instagram

Click here to see my Instagram

2 comments:

  1. Hello!
    I have discovered your blog with great delight! I think you and your readers may be interested in discovering a series of stories entitled 'The Adventures of Enzo' by Sonia Colasse.
    Enzo is a whimsical and imaginative boy who sets off to discover his world under the watchful eye of his lucky star. This 12-book series follows Enzo as he makes friends with each character of the zodiac. In these adventures, children learn life’s basic values (patience, love, forgiveness, etc.) through delightful vivid illustrations.

    Here is a link to the series' site: www.soloinfinity.com/enzo
    We would love to have you write a review if you feel so inclined. Please connect with me at soloinfinity.mel@gmail.com

    I look forward to hearing from you!
    Sincerely,
    Melissa Christensen
    Assistant to Sonia Colasse

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello Nicky!

    Apologies for the post here on your About page, I couldn't see an email form. I found your blog through The Federation of Children's Book Groups. I am a Barefoot Books Ambassador and would love to work with you by providing free review copies and/or hosting give-aways on your blog. If you're interested please contact me at: http://kate-blackham.barefootbooks.com/ or via email to barefeet@kateblackham.co.uk.

    All the best,

    Kate

    ReplyDelete