<![CDATA[Ackworth Acorns to Oaks: The Trunk...Our Parent Podcast]]>261131b3-2e3f-5be4-b16a-f9387122396eMon, 30 Mar 2026 16:43:24 +0000Captivate.fmRachel Belkhttps://artwork.captivate.fm/97cf1650-beea-48a8-84a2-8f56e18bbe0b/ackworth-acorns-to-oaks-trunk-safe-EDITED.jpgAckworth Acorns to Oaks: The Trunk...Our Parent PodcastRachel BelkRachel BelkThe Trunk: The heartwood of the Ackworth community is the work of teaching and learning. In this series, Ackworth staff share ideas from educational research and classroom practice to support parents in helping their children grow and flourish. We explore practical questions about learning, development and wellbeing, while also reflecting on The Ackworth Way — how the Quaker Testimonies and the belief in the inner light of each person shape the school’s approach to education. These conversations look beyond exams to the wider purpose of schooling: helping every young person discover their strengths, develop their character, and find the passions that will guide their future.https://ackworth-acorns-to-oaks-trunk.captivate.fmfalseepisodicnopodcastManaging Childhood Allergies: Part 1 - Our Parents' PerspectiveManaging Childhood Allergies: Part 1 - Our Parents' PerspectiveThis podcast episode explores the intricate realities of living with childhood allergies, emphasizing the necessity for awareness and understanding. We hear into the powerful narratives of parents navigating the challenges posed by allergies, revealing the emotional landscape that accompanies these medical conditions. The discussions illuminate not only the day-to-day difficulties faced by children with allergies, but how their families, including their siblings, support them. We reflect on the importance of effective communication between parents, educators, and medical professionals to build a supportive environment for children with severe allergies. The conversation gives a strong message that vigilance, compassion, and education can significantly enhance the lives of those managing allergies in a world with hidden risks.

Takeaways:

  • The podcast emphasizes the importance of awareness and education for children with allergies and those surrounding them.
  • Parents share their experiences navigating the complexities of managing childhood allergies.
  • Open communication with teachers and caregivers is crucial for ensuring child safety at school.
  • The discussion highlights the emotional challenges faced by children with allergies in social situations.

]]>This podcast episode explores the intricate realities of living with childhood allergies, emphasizing the necessity for awareness and understanding. We hear into the powerful narratives of parents navigating the challenges posed by allergies, revealing the emotional landscape that accompanies these medical conditions. The discussions illuminate not only the day-to-day difficulties faced by children with allergies, but how their families, including their siblings, support them. We reflect on the importance of effective communication between parents, educators, and medical professionals to build a supportive environment for children with severe allergies. The conversation gives a strong message that vigilance, compassion, and education can significantly enhance the lives of those managing allergies in a world with hidden risks.

Takeaways:

  • The podcast emphasizes the importance of awareness and education for children with allergies and those surrounding them.
  • Parents share their experiences navigating the complexities of managing childhood allergies.
  • Open communication with teachers and caregivers is crucial for ensuring child safety at school.
  • The discussion highlights the emotional challenges faced by children with allergies in social situations.

]]>125731f4-3c3b-4f55-b255-e5355ef18421Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:30:00 +010051:54falsefull33Empowering Children Through Guerrilla LearningEmpowering Children Through Guerrilla LearningToday's discussion revolves around the concept of guerrilla learning. Guerrilla learning emphasizes the importance of facilitating learning opportunities for children in a way that is both engaging and unobtrusive. Elizabeth Bowey and Amanda McShane explore ideas that can help children acquire knowledge and skills in playful contexts, so enhancing their retention and enjoyment of the learning process. As the Christmas holidays approach, they suggest various activities that parents can engage in with their children, particularly during the down days between Christmas and New Year. These suggestions include imaginative play, planning family outings, and even baking, all of which can cultivate independence, critical thinking, and creativity in young learners. Ultimately, they advocate for a balanced approach that allows children the freedom to explore and learn without the constant oversight of adults, thereby developing their autonomy and self-direction.

Takeaway messages:

  1. Guerrilla learning allows children to learn without realizing they are learning, enhancing retention and enjoyment.
  2. Encouraging children to experience moments of boredom is crucial for fostering independent thinking and problem-solving skills.
  3. Facilitating imaginative play is essential; providing minimal tools enables children to create and explore their creativity.
  4. Engaging children in planning family outings promotes autonomy and decision-making skills, essential for their development.

]]>Today's discussion revolves around the concept of guerrilla learning. Guerrilla learning emphasizes the importance of facilitating learning opportunities for children in a way that is both engaging and unobtrusive. Elizabeth Bowey and Amanda McShane explore ideas that can help children acquire knowledge and skills in playful contexts, so enhancing their retention and enjoyment of the learning process. As the Christmas holidays approach, they suggest various activities that parents can engage in with their children, particularly during the down days between Christmas and New Year. These suggestions include imaginative play, planning family outings, and even baking, all of which can cultivate independence, critical thinking, and creativity in young learners. Ultimately, they advocate for a balanced approach that allows children the freedom to explore and learn without the constant oversight of adults, thereby developing their autonomy and self-direction.

Takeaway messages:

  1. Guerrilla learning allows children to learn without realizing they are learning, enhancing retention and enjoyment.
  2. Encouraging children to experience moments of boredom is crucial for fostering independent thinking and problem-solving skills.
  3. Facilitating imaginative play is essential; providing minimal tools enables children to create and explore their creativity.
  4. Engaging children in planning family outings promotes autonomy and decision-making skills, essential for their development.

]]>a6266ee3-f93d-4be4-bda0-049e86760af6Fri, 12 Dec 2025 15:00:00 +010015:08falsefull22The Power of Thinking About Thinking: Metacognition ExploredThe Power of Thinking About Thinking: Metacognition ExploredThis first episode in the new Ackworth School podcast, Ackworth Acorns to Oaks, explores the pivotal concept of metacognition and its profound influence on a child's learning journey. Elizabeth Bowey and Amanda McShane discuss the importance of fostering metacognitive skills, which empower children to actively engage in their own learning processes by 'thinking about their thinking'. They emphasize that metacognition is consistently shown to be one of the most effective ways in which educational outcomes can be enhanced. Throughout the discussion, they provide practical strategies for parents to support their children's metacognitive development, including fun ways in which children can plan, monitor, and evaluate their own learning experiences. By encouraging children to take ownership and reflect on their thought processes, they show how children grow independence and self-motivation inside and outside of school.

Takeaways:

  1. 'Thinking about thinking', the concept of metacognition, is crucial as it empowers children to take control of their own learning.
  2. By engaging in metacognition, children learn to plan, monitor, and evaluate their own strategies effectively.
  3. Successful education requires parents and teachers to model thinking out loud, helping children's cognitive development and decision-making skills.
  4. Encouraging children to reflect on their learning and embrace mistakes is essential for fostering resilience and a growth mindset.

]]>This first episode in the new Ackworth School podcast, Ackworth Acorns to Oaks, explores the pivotal concept of metacognition and its profound influence on a child's learning journey. Elizabeth Bowey and Amanda McShane discuss the importance of fostering metacognitive skills, which empower children to actively engage in their own learning processes by 'thinking about their thinking'. They emphasize that metacognition is consistently shown to be one of the most effective ways in which educational outcomes can be enhanced. Throughout the discussion, they provide practical strategies for parents to support their children's metacognitive development, including fun ways in which children can plan, monitor, and evaluate their own learning experiences. By encouraging children to take ownership and reflect on their thought processes, they show how children grow independence and self-motivation inside and outside of school.

Takeaways:

  1. 'Thinking about thinking', the concept of metacognition, is crucial as it empowers children to take control of their own learning.
  2. By engaging in metacognition, children learn to plan, monitor, and evaluate their own strategies effectively.
  3. Successful education requires parents and teachers to model thinking out loud, helping children's cognitive development and decision-making skills.
  4. Encouraging children to reflect on their learning and embrace mistakes is essential for fostering resilience and a growth mindset.

]]>6523c195-3745-42aa-80df-f32e9de2a7d1Fri, 21 Nov 2025 15:00:00 +010021:52falsefull11