Nestled among the rocks and trees, my children, Noah (13) and his little brother Rhion (3), sit perched on a natural ledge, barefoot and immersed in their surroundings. The sunlight filters through the dense canopy above, casting playful shadows on the rugged terrain below. This moment—of climbing, exploring, and experiencing the raw beauty of nature—reflects the very essence of learning through risk.

The idea of “risky play” is gaining momentum worldwide, as educators, parents, and policymakers recognize the importance of allowing children to engage in unstructured, adventurous play. The Woeste Westen play forest in Amsterdam exemplifies this movement, providing children the space to explore boundaries through climbing, wrestling, playing with fire, and even using tools like hammers and knives under supervision.

In an era where digital screens dominate childhood, outdoor play is becoming an endangered experience. Mascha van Werven, a charity director, highlights a growing concern: “...

Reading Together and the Bedtime Bond: Why Books Matter More Than Ever

There’s something sacred about bedtime. The soft light, the slowing breath, the quiet stillness between one day and the next.

And then…

“Can we read a book?”

It might seem like a small request. But reading together at bedtime isn’t just a habit — it’s a ritual of connection, comfort, and emotional growth.

At My Wellbeing School, we believe stories have the power to soothe, strengthen, and connect — especially during that tender, winding-down part of the day.

💛 Why Bedtime Reading Matters

Whether it’s a picture book, a feelings journal, or the same story for the 47th time, the act of reading together at night has enormous emotional and neurological benefits.

Bedtime stories help:

• Regulate the nervous system

• Signal safety and routine

• Build emotional bonds between parent and child

• Develop emotional language and empathy

• Create space for calm conversations about the day

It’s no...

Raising Brave Learners: Risk-Taking, Mistakes, and the Gift of Safe Boundaries

We want our children to grow up confident.
Curious.
Resilient.
Willing to try, fail, and try again.

But so often — especially when emotions are high — we rush in to protect, prevent, or perfect.

The truth is, learning involves risk.
And growing involves getting it wrong.

At My Wellbeing School, we believe in raising brave learners — children who feel safe enough to take emotional, social, and physical risks, and supported enough to bounce back when they stumble.

🧠 Why Risk-Taking Matters in Childhood

Healthy risk-taking is a vital part of development. Whether it’s climbing the big slide, trying a new food, asking a question in class, or admitting “I don’t know” — every risk is an act of courage.

When children take risks, they learn to:

• Test their limits and build confidence

• Problem-solve and adapt

• Develop resilience after failure

• Handle uncertainty and fear in healthy ways

• T...

Let Them Be Bored — and Remember to Wonder

The Joy and Power of Thinking Before Getting the Answer

“I’m bored.”

Two words that can make even the most patient parent or educator sigh.

But what if boredom wasn’t something to fix…
What if it was something to honour?

At My Wellbeing School, we believe that boredom is not the enemy of learning — it’s the gateway to wonder. And wonder is where creativity, curiosity, and emotional depth begin to bloom.

🌱 Why Boredom Is Actually a Gift

In a world of instant answers, flashing screens, and constant stimulation, our kids rarely have the chance to just… be.

When children are bored, their minds begin to:

• Drift

• Imagine

• Reflect

• Create

• Ask their own questions

Boredom makes space for original thought.
And in that space, children remember how to wonder — to sit with a question instead of rushing toward an answer.

🧠 Wonder Builds Better Thinkers

When we give kids the answer too quickly, we deny them the joy of ...

Book Review: Ergo — A Big Book of Ideas for Little Thinkers

Every now and then, a picture book comes along that lingers.
Not just in the mind — but in the heart.

For me, that book is Ergo by Alexis Deacon, illustrated by Viviane Schwarz.
It’s one of those quiet masterpieces that invites children (and adults) to stop, think, wonder… and maybe even see the world — and themselves — a little differently.

🌱 The Story (Without Spoilers)

Ergo is a small chick inside a shell.
Her world is the shell.
She names her body, names the shell, and names the world — all from inside her tiny, contained space.

And then… she starts to wonder.
What’s outside this shell?
Am I all there is?
What else might be real?

What follows is a gentle, beautifully illustrated exploration of existence, thought, identity, and curiosity.

Yes, really. In a picture book. And it works brilliantly.

💡 Why I Love Ergo

This book manages to:

• Introduce big philosophical ideas in a child-friendly way

• Spark cur...

The fifteen primary school children that came to the Liverpool John Moores University Library ranged from ages 8-12. These children were bright sparks, and as reading buddies, they assisted younger students with their reading skills. My initial thoughts were that My Bare Feet would be too young for these students, and I was apprehensive about "reading down to them", so I framed the book as something they could read with their reading buddies.

Conversation flowed from the beginning, and on each page, the students and I enjoyed discussing how walking through different surfaces and settings makes us feel.

After the reading, we looked at the reflexology chart at the back of the book, and the students took off their shoes and gave each other or themselves a foot massage. They observed how pressing on different parts of their feet affected other parts of their body. Feedback from one girl was that it made her so relaxed she would use foot massage before her exams to calm her down. ...