Episodes
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Is your little one going to be starting Forest School this year?
Or maybe your school already provides forest school and you want to know more about it?
We have put together a great mini course with ALL the information you need to get started! https://www.stages4ages.com/stages-4-ages
In this episode of the Balancing Business and Babies podcast, Lucy Howell speaks with Alison, a Forest School leader, about the transformative power of outdoor learning. They discuss how Forest School education supports child development, fosters emotional well-being, and encourages nature exploration. Alison shares her expertise on managing safety and risky play, addressing common parental concerns, and creating an inclusive environment for all children. They also cover how parents can support their child’s connection to nature at home and how experiencing Forest School firsthand can shift perceptions of risky play.
Key Takeaways:
Forest School fosters emotional well-being, teamwork, and problem-solving through outdoor play.
Risky play is an essential part of learning, but safety is always prioritized through careful supervision and risk assessment.
Forest School is inclusive, adaptable, and designed for all children, regardless of their abilities.
Parents can encourage nature exploration at home with activities like scavenger hunts and outdoor adventures.
Understanding the balance between freedom and structure is key to successful outdoor learning.
Parental involvement can help shift mindsets about risky play, improving overall perceptions.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Forest School
02:20 - Ensuring Safety in Forest School
05:12 - Embracing Risky Play and Supervision
08:30 - Shifting Parental Mindsets on Risk
10:20 - Forest School's Inclusive Approach
11:10 - Encouraging Nature Exploration at Home
12:59 - Balancing Freedom with Structure in Outdoor Learning
14:12 - Hopes for Children’s Development in Forest School
15:27 - Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Parents
#ForestSchool #OutdoorLearning #ChildDevelopment #ParentingTips #RiskyPlay #NatureExploration #EmotionalWellBeing #ParentingPodcast #InclusiveEducation #OutdoorEducation
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In this empowering episode of For All Stages and Ages, we speak with Kim Guche, founder of Entrancing Inspirations, who has transformed her career from pediatric speech and language pathology to holistic wellness, specialising in hypnotherapy and emotional regulation for parents.
We look into the benefits of hypnotherapy, especially for parents of children with special needs, and discuss Kim’s ‘Five Minute Chaos to Calm’ method—a practical tool designed for parents to regain a sense of peace amidst daily responsibilities. Kim emphasises the profound impact that parental self-care and emotional awareness have on child behavior, highlighting that managing stress is key to effective parenting.
Throughout the episode, Kim shares practical insights on hypnotherapy, meditation, and self-hypnosis, including the importance of consent, openness, and self-care. They discuss the empowerment of single parents balancing business goals, self-care, and parenting.
The conversation also includes guided meditation techniques for reducing anxiety and promoting inner calm. Whether you're navigating the challenges of raising a child with special needs or seeking balance between parenting and self-improvement, Kim’s tools offer a path to clarity and resilience.
Get Your Free Gifthttp://www.entrancinginspirations.com
Takeaways:
Kim transitioned from speech pathology to hypnotherapy to provide deeper support for children and families. Hypnotherapy enables parents to release guilt and find emotional balance. Children with special needs are highly sensitive to their caregivers' emotions. The 'Five Minute Chaos to Calm' method offers quick, accessible relief for busy parents.
Self-care is essential for effective parenting and managing stress. Hypnosis reveals strengths and helps manage parenting challenges. Emotional regulation in parents directly impacts children’s behavior. Parents can practice self-hypnosis to manage daily stress. Starting a business as a parent requires a strong motivation and personal 'why.' Self-care supports the whole family; it’s not selfish to prioritise it.
Chapters: 00:00 – Navigating Technical Difficulties
05:53 – Introduction to Holistic Wellness and Hypnotherapy
07:47 – Kim's Journey: From Speech Pathology to Hypnotherapy 1
7:05 – Hypnotherapy for Children with Special Needs
22:49 – The Five Minute Chaos to Calm Method
30:48 – Managing Parental Guilt and Stress through Hypnotherapy
35:43 – Understanding Hypnotherapy and Its Limitations
38:06 – Empowering Parents: Starting a Business Amidst Challenges
45:48 – Meditation Techniques for Managing Anxiety
01:00:36 – Guided Meditation: Finding Calm and Clarity
Sound Bites:
"I didn't know anything really about hypnosis."
"It’s really just about getting grounded and releasing negative emotions."
"You have to want to do it."
"You can achieve anything as long as it's humanly possible."
"Self-care is essential, not selfish."
This episode is packed with insights for parents navigating the challenges of self-care and empowerment while raising children, particularly those with special needs. Tune in for valuable guidance on managing stress, reclaiming calm, and empowering yourself to pursue both personal and business goals with confidence.
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Episodes manquant?
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In this special episode you can listen in to our full weaning webinar! - This conversation covers the essential aspects of weaning babies, including the stages of weaning, the concept of baby-led weaning, common myths and challenges parents face, and a Q&A session addressing specific concerns. Kim and Alison from The Stages 4 Ages Team talk about the importance of patience, understanding, and creating a positive environment for both parents and babies during the weaning process.
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In this episode of For All Stages and Ages, Lucy Howell welcomes Mia Dixon, founder of Celebrate Sleep with Mia, to discuss gentle and supportive sleep training for babies and toddlers.
Mia shares her personal journey into sleep consultancy, how she went from struggling with her son’s sleep to becoming a certified sleep consultant, and the methods she uses to help parents create better sleep routines for their children.
Key Topics Covered:
Mia's personal experience that led her to pursue baby sleep consultancy The challenges of sleep training and how every child’s sleep needs are different
Understanding your child’s temperament and how it impacts sleep training Mia’s gentle, non-judgmental approach to sleep training, and why she doesn't advocate for methods like "cry it out"
Establishing effective bedtime routines and creating a safe sleep space
How to handle sleep transitions, like moving from a cot to a bed or dropping naps
Managing sleep disruptions due to big life changes, such as moving house or welcoming a new sibling
Techniques for parents to help their children settle into sleep, including sensory activities and bedtime role-play
Mia also shares practical tips for parents who feel overwhelmed by sleep challenges, emphasizing that the journey is about finding the right approach for both parents and children.
Where to Find Mia Dixon:
Instagram: @CelebrateSleepwithMia
Free Bedtime Routine Guide: Available through the link in her Instagram bio
Upcoming Bedtime Routine Workshop: End of October/beginning of November — sign up through Mia’s Instagram or email list for early access and exclusive offers
Whether you’re a new parent or a parent of multiples struggling with sleep routines, this episode offers a wealth of tips and expert advice to help make bedtime more peaceful for the whole family.
Stay tuned for Mia's upcoming workshop designed to help parents create customized bedtime routines that fit their children’s unique needs!
Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!
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In this episode of For All Stages and Ages, Lucy Howell sits down with Kate Kurdziej, a business consultant and founder of Olivier Consultancy, to explore the delicate balance between parenting and running a business. Kate shares her personal journey of transitioning from a corporate career to motherhood and launching her own business. She talks about the challenges of relocating to Spain with her family, emphasizing the importance of building a life-first business and balancing personal needs with professional ambitions. Key topics discussed include: Overcoming limiting beliefs and finding a balance between parenthood and entrepreneurship The reality of juggling family, business, and self-care as a parent Tips for parents considering relocation abroad, and lessons learned from Kate’s move from the UK to France and then to Spain The power of automating your business and standardizing systems to achieve growth How to maintain self-care and prevent burnout while managing a busy family and business life Kate’s advice for parents feeling guilt when balancing work and children Insights on how parents can design a life that suits their family’s needs Kate also shares details about her upcoming retreats in Spain, where she helps business owners create efficient strategies while enjoying the sunny Spanish climate. If you're a parent looking to start or grow a business, navigate life changes like relocation, or simply balance it all, this episode is packed with advice and encouragement.
Where to find Kate:
Instagram: @OlivierConsultancy
Website: olivier-consultancy.co.uk
Don't miss out on her business retreats in Spain! Check out the details on her Instagram or website for upcoming opportunities to work on your business in a beautiful setting.
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Tina Southwood, a sleep training consultant, shares her background and journey in the baby industry. She discusses the common sleep challenges parents face with newborns and infants, such as trapped wind and incorrect winding techniques. Tina emphasises the importance of recognising and understanding a baby's awake window and implementing a consistent routine. She also addresses the guilt some parents may feel about seeking help with sleep issues and reassures them that it is normal and necessary. Tina provides advice on creating a safe and comfortable sleep environment for babies, including the use of blackout curtains and the avoidance of cot bumpers. She finishes by encouraging parents to enjoy their babies and to observe and respond to their sleepy signs. You can get more information and advice from Tina in our Parenting Support Community https://www.stages4ages.com/join-our-parenting-community You can also connect with Tina on her social media https://www.facebook.com/SleepBabySleep/ https://x.com/babysleepuk
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This episode of 'For All Stages and Ages' features a discussion with Alison, a nursery manager, about the important topic of children transitioning from nursery to primary school, as well as starting nursery for the first time.
The conversation covers practical advice for parents on preparing their children for the change, including adapting to new routines, the role of school uniforms in easing transitions, and how to support children who may feel anxious about starting school. Alison provides insights into the differences between nurseries and preschools, tips for building a child's independence, and strategies for toilet training and adjusting sleep patterns.
The importance of establishing communication with teachers and addressing the needs of children with additional support is also emphasised. The episode aims to assist parents in supporting their children through these significant milestones, highlighting the role of nurseries in preparing children for the school environment and offering reassurance that concerns about transitions are common among parents.
The Montessori Coat Flip!
00:00 Welcome and Introduction to the Episode
00:51 Insights on Transitioning from Nursery to School
01:38 The Role of School Uniform in Transition
03:11 Addressing Parental and Child Anxiety about School Transition
05:26 Understanding the Difference Between Nursery and Preschool
06:48 Preparing Children for School: Practical Tips for Parents
10:36 The Importance of Early Years Education and Choosing the Right Time for School
15:33 Enhancing School Readiness: Home Visits and Teacher Engagement
18:13 Addressing Special Educational Needs During Transition
19:52 Identifying Happiness and Addressing Concerns in School Settings
26:09 Final Thoughts and Advice for Parents
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In this episode, Alison, a nursery manager and forest school leader, shares insights on the philosophy and benefits of outdoor learning through forest schools: -
Forest schools emphasise children's innate connection to nature for their health and well-being. Activities like building rope walkways develop teamwork and emotional resilience.
- Forest schools can be inclusive by making adaptations for children of different ages, abilities, and special educational needs
The key is knowing each child and making necessary adjustments.
- Forest school offers a unique learning environment that complements traditional schooling, especially for children with additional needs. It allows controlled risk-taking and hands-on outdoor experiences
- Forest school leaders require specialised training to ensure safety and tailor activities to individual needs, finding the right balance between risk and benefit.
- Alison highlights how forest school supports children's overall development - physical, cognitive, social, emotional - by allowing them to direct their own learning experiences in nature.
- She also shares heartwarming examples of children's creativity thriving outdoors and the joyful reactions children and parents have had during forest school sessions
- Alison discusses the importance of being prepared for outdoor hazards and how children often surprise with their imaginative games and activities like building fairy houses.
Key Lessons Forest schools can be inclusive and accommodate children of different ages and abilities, including those with special educational needs, through adaptations and tailoring activities to individual needs.Forest school empowers children, boosts their motivation to learn, and helps them develop important life skills through controlled risk-taking and hands-on outdoor experiences.Forest school benefits not just the children, but the adults as well, providing emotional wellbeing advantages of spending time outdoors.00:00 Welcome to For All Stages and Ages: Exploring Forest School 00:34 The Philosophy and Importance of Forest Schools 01:28 A Day at Forest School: Activities and Routine 02:26 Key Skills and Lessons from Outdoor Learning 03:45 Inclusivity and Adaptations for Diverse Needs 05:01 Becoming a Forest School Leader: Training and Qualifications 05:49 Ensuring Safety and Managing Risks in Outdoor Learning 06:55 The Transformative Impact of Forest School on Children 07:37 Forest School vs. Traditional Schooling: Complementary Approaches 11:02 Creative Play and Learning in Nature 13:04 Engaging Parents and the Community in Forest School 15:36 Preparing for Forest School: Tips for Parents and Children 18:38 Unexpected Lessons and Closing Thoughts
Chapters 00:00:00 - A Day in the Life of Forest School00:01:49 - Adapting Forest School Activities for Diverse Learners00:05:02 - Requirements for Running a Forest School00:07:41 - Forest School: Nurturing Child-Centered Learning00:09:37 - Children's Confidence and Self-Regulation at Forest School00:11:53 - Child's Heartwarming Hug of Grandfather Oak Tree00:15:09 - Embracing Muddy Forest School Adventures00:19:20 - The Benefits of Forest School for All
