How do we support left-handed children in a predominantly right-handed world? Mark Stewart, founder of Left n Write Ltd, shares his journey and insights on the unique challenges faced by left-handed individuals, particularly in educational settings. With over 1 million left-handed children in schools across England, Mark emphasizes the lack of awareness and training for educators on how to assist these students effectively.

Mark started his small business about 30 years ago as a result of trying to find left-handed scissors for his youngest son when he was 4.

Mark's wife Heather had no training in helping left-handed children during her Teacher Training so they started to campaign with their left-handed MP, Peter Luff, to change the Education system to be proactive rather than passive.

They had meetings with Ministers, questions and a 30 minute adjournment debate in the House of Commons, produced a training video in 1999 (now downloadable/interactive and was updated last year) as well as writing an information/activity book titled "So You Think They're Left Handed?" and 3 books titled "Left Hand Writing Skills". We have also produced other resources specifically for left-handed children in education. Over the years I have run over 200 training workshops.

In 2021 Mark co founded and is co-chair of a global group called "LEFT-IN" Left-Handers Education Forum and Training International Network (left-in.org) with the aim to improve the information and education available to the educators of left-handed children around the world.

Takeaways:

• There are over 1 million left-handed children in schools in England, yet teacher training lacks essential support for them.
• Simple adjustments, like seating arrangements in classrooms, significantly benefit left-handed children and their right-handed peers.
• Left-handed children face unique challenges in a right-handed world, emphasizing the need for awareness and adjustments.
• The lack of data on left-handed children in education hinders understanding their needs and potential challenges.
• Mark Stewart encourages parents to advocate for left-handed children in schools to ensure they receive adequate support.
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Website

www.leftshoponline.co.uk

Social Media Information

Facebook.com/LeftnWrite

Instagram: leftshoponline

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mark-stewart-52271020

Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)

https://nape.org.uk/

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Dr. Shelby Kretz is the creator of Little Justice Leaders, an organization that provides social justice education resources for educators and families. Shelby earned her Ph.D. in Education from UCLA, and her research explores social justice education at the elementary school level. Over the past decade, Shelby has worked with thousands of parents, teachers, and school leaders to bring social justice education to elementary aged kids.

She emphasizes that biases begin to form as early as three years old, making it crucial for educators and parents to have resources that support age-appropriate conversations about complex topics such as race, gender, and disability justice.

With a focus on collaboration and continuous learning, this conversation underscores the significance of fostering critical thinking and empathy in children as they navigate today’s multifaceted world.

Takeaways:

• Parents and educators must engage young children in conversations about social justice early.
• Little Justice Leaders provides resources for teachers to address complex social issues effectively.
• The shift to digital resources allows for more accessibility and affordability in education.
• Building a supportive community among educators fosters collaboration and shared learning experiences.
• It's crucial to keep up with changing language and terminology surrounding social justice topics.
• Creating a curriculum that evolves with students ensures they grasp the principles of justice.

Website

www.littlejusticeleaders.com

Social Media Information

@littlejusticeleaders on IG, TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube

Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)

https://nape.org.uk/

Discover more about Education on Fire

🔥 https://www.educationonfire.com/

🔥 Support the show with a One-Off Tip

https://educationonfire.com/support

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https://educationonfire.com/ecamm

🔥 Captivate.FM – My podcast host

https://educationonfire.com/captivate

🔥...

Karen G. Foley from the Juvenile Protective Association emphasizes the critical role of relationships in supporting children's mental health and well-being. She highlights that just as chronically hungry children cannot learn, neither can those who are emotionally hurting. The discussion explores how the organization provides school-based mental health services, fostering long-term relationships with educators, parents, and students. Karen shares insights on the importance of understanding a child's intent behind their actions and the necessity of a supportive environment for both children and teachers. The episode underscores the need for an intergenerational approach to address the struggles faced by middle school girls today, illustrating how vital it is to nurture connections that help children thrive.

Karen joined JPA in 2014. She earned her MBA from the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College. Prior to joining JPA, Karen served as the President and CEO of The Hope Institute for Children and Families, serving children with autism and developmental delays across Illinois.

Takeaways:

• Building strong relationships in schools leads to positive impacts on the entire school community.
• Understanding the intent behind actions can foster forgiveness and stronger relationships.
• Chronically hungry children can’t learn, just like those who are chronically hurting.
• Intergenerational approaches provide unique support for middle school girls facing challenges today.
• Teachers need to recognize and adjust to the various ages of their students.
• Creating a nurturing and safe environment is crucial for children's development and learning.

Website

https://jpachicago.org/

Social Media Information

www.linkedin.com/company/juvenile-protective-association

www.facebook.com/JuvenileProtectiveAssociation/

www.instagram.com/jpachicago

Show Sponsor – National Association for Primary Education (NAPE)

https://nape.org.uk/

Discover more about Education on Fire

🔥 https://www.educationonfire.com/

🔥 Support the show with a One-Off Tip

https://educationonfire.com/support

🔥 Ecamm Free Trial – How I record and produce this show.