“A Mother’s Instinct” was the theme of the previous blog, but what do we understand by ‘maternal ‘instinct’? Maternal instinct is evident in animals, for example a zebra whose infant had died at birth observed trying to steal another zebra’s foal, so intense was her grief and inability to understand what had happened to her…
Since becoming pregnant with Poppy I had so much advice given, but the most important guide for me was to follow my instincts. I would think, ‘But how will I know?’ However, as soon as I gave birth to this tiny little baby, the one thing I remember the most was that all my senses…
Today, July 18th 2019, the newspapers, and the media in general, are leading on children’s mental wellbeing, or rather lack of it. Again. This time the statistics are telling us that there has been an almost 50% increase over the last 3 years in mental health referrals by primary schools. Primary Schools! It would be…
‘A stitch in time saves nine’ is a brilliant proverb because it is reminds us of the power of timely action. Unfortunately, the plan announced by Theresa May, calling for all new teachers to be trained to spot early warning signs of mental illness and for NHS staff to be encouraged to take suicide prevention…
Received wisdom has it that babies and toddlers up to about 30 months/3 years thrive best if they enjoy a warm and stable relationship with at least one adult, responsive to their needs. This notion is well-supported by scientific evidence. Sound attachment, established first with the mother, is forged through consistent and committed care. OBSERVATIONS:…
At the end of November 2018 the first of three programmes, focusing on the under-twos and entitled Babies: Their Wonderful World, was televised. I was looking forward to the programmes, which I hoped would explore the rapid development of a baby’s brain in the first two years of life and how consistent, sensitive loving care…