The smell of newly polished school shoes and pristine new exercise books.
- By Louise Bond
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- 12 Aug, 2018
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A very familiar feeling is stirring as the daylight hours shorten and the temperature drops – back to the school books as the new academic year is about to start.
This sudden change in the weather has brought about feelings in me that are a few weeks too early, and something that has been instilled in me from a very young age. These are the feelings that come every year when the weather changes around September time and will always signify the start of a new school year to me. Even though I left school 25+ years ago the freshness of the darker mornings combined with the nights slowly drawing in all stir a mixture of emotions that signifies one event – the feeling of going back to school.
This annual routine begins for primary school age children when they start off in Reception spending their days painting and reading children’s books. The routine continues into secondary school as those children grow up and take their final exams and eventually leave the education system.
This time of year sparks off a strange combination of nervousness, excited anticipation and a keenness to do well – a difficult mix of feelings for any child but exasperated in children who struggle to deal with day to day feelings. As we well know at this time of change any child on the Autistic spectrum or those with additional needs can be thrown into turmoil with the anticipation and anxiety that it brings.
For me though these back to school feelings also bring with them the smell of a new school year. Fixed in my memories are the distinctive smells of newly polished school shoes, crisp new uniforms, a new pencil case, a new school bag, the smell of the classrooms and pristine new exercise books - which by the way I always made a promise to myself I would keep tidy with perfect handwriting for the whole year. That promise of course only lasted a week at most but the good intention was always there at the start. Although I’m not sure the rhymes, pictures and doodles in the back of those books were part of the promise!
So yes, we’re heading towards the start of another school year and with it will eventually come the colder days and dare I say it....Christmas!
Each bubble a gleaming, iridescent sphere of possibility
destined to travel through the world of imagination for every child and adult
that chooses to wonder – a fantastic story book in the making.
Bubbles capture the imagination of people of all ages, they always have. So
simple and yet so complex, so relaxing and tranquil in the way they move. Silent
as they float away, higher and higher a bubbles travels can really transport
you away with your imagination drifting. As they float across the sky taking
you with them on their journeys to far away countries – maybe even different worlds.
From the youngest of age’s children and adults cannot help but watch them as they swirl, twirl and dance around in the air while we wonder if and when they are going to pop! Gleaming and shimmering in the sunlight as they float higher and higher a bubbles beauty and iridescence is unrivalled. Every bubble has a story or a tale to tell.
With all of these amazing attributes bubbles really do lend themselves to being the lead character in a fun rhyming children’s book like Barnaby Bubble – maybe next time you should ask yourself is that Barnaby? Be careful Barnaby! I know my family does!
Bedtime stories help to develop the magic of imagination in young minds, taking your children away from the troubles of early life. From the moment they are born children relax hearing familiar voices. Relaxed tones and nursery rhymes are the best way to soothe babies into a comfortable sleep. As they develop continuing this routine is an important part of strengthening that bond between parent and child while at the same time easing them into speech and even early reading.
We must not forget how younger minds perceive the world and
how something meaningless to us adults can play on the mind of children causing
stress and anxiety. The comfort and fun of a good rhyming children’s book or
bedtime story can be just what a child needs to put these worries to one side
while they drift off into an imagination filled sleep!
A good children’s book can take them to a safe place where they create
characters in their own imagination while learning the early foundations of
reading and language. The power and importance of a great rhyming book with
bright, colourful illustrations cannot be overrated.
There is nothing quite as magical for parents or children as a good bedtime story. The bond that it creates within a family and the stimulation of young minds is so important and the memories can never be forgotten. All that is takes is a great children’s book and a reassuring voice to deliver the humour of rhyme, taking their worries away and strengthening their developing minds!
