Whittling at Ambleford: more than the finished object At Ambleford, whittling is a firm favourite. Children arrive brimming with ideas: knives, spears, bows and arrows, walking sticks, tent pegs, little figures, bits of “useful” woodland kit. We support all of that creativity, but what consistently surprises parents is this: more often than not, it isn’t the finished object … [Read more...] about Keeping Children Safe While Whittling at Home
Children
The Silent Crisis in Childhood: No One Knows How to Be Bored Anymore
Modern childhood is filled with stimulation. Screens, organised activities, toys that “do” the imagining for them, and the constant pressure to be entertained — all of it adds up to a lifestyle where many children rarely experience true downtime. Yet developmental science is increasingly clear: boredom is not only healthy for children, it’s essential. Boredom Sparks … [Read more...] about The Silent Crisis in Childhood: No One Knows How to Be Bored Anymore
The 5 Skills Children Will Need in an AI Future (and 5 they wont)— And Why Traditional Schooling Isn’t Preparing Them
The world of work is transforming faster than at any time in the last century. Over the next five years, advances in artificial intelligence will automate many of the routine tasks that have quietly propped up whole industries. Data entry, form processing, basic customer service, software development, early-stage legal drafting, and even content creation are already being done … [Read more...] about The 5 Skills Children Will Need in an AI Future (and 5 they wont)— And Why Traditional Schooling Isn’t Preparing Them
It’s Just a Game… Or Is It? Why Children Not Knowing Conkers Should Make Us Pause for Thought
The other day, I brought out a basket of freshly fallen conkers at our weekly class of home educated kids, thinking we might enjoy a round or two of the game I grew up with. I expected instant recognition—excitement, even. But what I got were curious looks and genuine questions: “What are these for?” “What’s a conker game?” I was taken aback. Not in a judgmental way, but in … [Read more...] about It’s Just a Game… Or Is It? Why Children Not Knowing Conkers Should Make Us Pause for Thought
Outdoor Schooling: just playtime or a necessity?
Why Outdoor Schooling Offers a Rigorous Yet Child-Centred Alternative to Traditional Education In recent years, outdoor schooling has grown in popularity as parents and educators search for alternatives to traditional classroom-based education. Often mistakenly perceived as less academically rigorous, outdoor schooling is proving to be not only equally challenging but also … [Read more...] about Outdoor Schooling: just playtime or a necessity?