FUNCTIONAL LEARNING
I trained as a teacher (PGCE, Early Years) in Manchester more than 40 years ago and also have a Diploma in Therapeutic Skills with Children and Young Adults. I have worked in schools for developmentally delayed children using an approach called Functional Learning. I have also taught in mainstream schools and for many years was a Reception Class teacher in Kent. I now work privately supporting families whose children have learning delay often with feeding problems and challenging behaviours.
My Functional Learning approach is based on the book Every Child Can Learn (KatrinStroh et al). I have given Workshops on The Waldon and Functional Learning Approach in a variety of venues including Edinburgh, Oxfordshire, Berlin and New York City. For the past 6 years I have been supervising colleagues at the Autismus Institute, Berlin.
PUBLICATIONS
I have published on the importance of fathers as well as the response of bilingual children to picture books.
My other writing includes a picture book for babies, BOOKS ALWAYS EVERYWHERE (Nosy Crow, 2013).
I was runner up for the Early Years Writer-in-Residence for the Scottish Book Trust 2013 and my picture book is in the Booktrust Catalogue for their recommended Children’s Books for 2013.
I am working on a series of books for families about a 4 year old boy Jem, who has developmental delay told through the eyes of his older sister, Amy. The series includes Feeding with Jem, Dressing with Jem and Cooking with Jem and is illustrated by Anouk van der Putten (2019)
I have recently published the second revised edition of Every Child Can Learn (Jane Blatt 2021) based on the first edition by Katrin Stroh, Thelma Robinson and Alan Proctor (Sage 2008).