Stories from the Mat, with Jan

Jan Falconer

What if confidence begins long before a child enters a classroom? Stories from the Mat, with Jan brings together families, educators and experts to explore the ideas, stories and practical tools that help children become confident learners from the very beginning. Hosted by best-selling children's author Jan Falconer, each episode combines thoughtful conversation, practical insight and real-world experience to help parents, grandparents, carers and educators support children with confidence. Because the smallest moments can shape a child's future.

Episodes

  1. 5d ago

    Episode 4: Is my child ready?

    Have you ever found yourself wondering whether a child is ready? Ready for school. Ready for reading. Ready for the next step. It's a question many parents and grandparents ask. Yet readiness is often more complex than we think. In this episode of Stories from the Mat, with Jan, I explore why children develop at different rates, why comparison can sometimes create unnecessary worry, and why readiness is about much more than milestones and test scores. Drawing on personal experience and the work of Urie Bronfenbrenner, Carol Dweck, Howard Gardner and Todd Rose, we consider what happens when we stop asking whether a child is keeping up and start asking what is developing. Because readiness is not about being ahead. It's about feeling safe enough to try. 🌿 Join the Club for stories, family resources, reading ideas and updates: https://www.janfalconerauthor.com/join-the-club #StoriesFromTheMatWithJan #JanFalconer #IsMyChildReady #ConfidentLearners #ChildDevelopment #Parenting #Grandparenting #EarlyLearning #FamilyLearning #SchoolReadiness #ConfidenceBeforeCurriculum #HowardGardner #CarolDweck #ToddRose #UrieBronfenbrenner

    10 min

  2. Jun 14

    Episode 3: Small Moments That Shape Big Learners

    Confidence is seldom built in the big moments. More often, it grows quietly through everyday experiences: helping in the kitchen, asking questions on a bus journey, trying something difficult, making mistakes, and trying again. In this episode of Stories from the Mat, with Jan, I explore how attachment, attention and attempt come together in ordinary moments to help children develop confidence, resilience and a love of learning. Drawing on personal stories from my own childhood and the work of developmental psychologist Urie Bronfenbrenner, we'll consider why some of the most powerful learning happens long before a child enters a classroom. Sometimes the smallest moments leave the biggest footprints. 🌿 Join the Club and receive family resources, stories and updates: https://www.janfalconerauthor.com/join-the-club #StoriesFromTheMatWithJan #JanFalconer #ConfidentLearners #EarlyLearning #Parenting #Grandparenting #FamilyLearning #ChildDevelopment #Attachment #ConfidenceBeforeCurriculum #LearningThroughPlay #EverydayLearning #RaisingReaders #LifelongLearning #Bronfenbrenner

    10 min

  3. Jun 7

    Episode 2 – Confidence Before Curriculum

    What matters most in a child's learning journey? We often focus on letters, numbers and milestones. Yet before children learn what to think, they learn how learning feels. In this episode of Stories from the Mat with Jan, we explore why confidence comes before curriculum, how children learn naturally, and why the experiences we create in the early years can shape learning for life. Drawing on personal experience, educational research and practical observation, this episode considers how confidence develops, why comparison can undermine learning, and what parents, carers and educators can do to help children become confident learners. Stories from the Mat is a quiet place to think, notice and begin. Join the Club: www.janfalconerauthor.com/join-the-club Visit: www.janfalconerauthor.com/podcast #StoriesFromTheMatWithJan #ConfidenceBeforeCurriculum #EarlyYears #Parenting #LearningThroughPlay #ConfidentLearners #Education #FamilyReading #JanTime #JanFalconer

    11 min

  4. May 31

    Episode 1:- What learning feels like.

    Episode 1: What Learning Feels Like What children learn before the age of five isn't just skills, it's how learning feels. And that feeling stays. In this first episode of Stories from the Mat, with Jan, Jan Falconer explores the early experiences that help shape confidence, curiosity and a willingness to try. Drawing on neuroscience, personal stories and everyday family life, she reflects on why emotional safety matters, how children learn through connection, and why the feeling of learning may be more important than the lesson itself. A gentle conversation for parents, grandparents, carers and educators who want to help children become confident learners.  That is about the right length for Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Riverside. It tells people exactly what they're getting without giving away the whole episode.

    10 min
  • 4 Episodes

About

What if confidence begins long before a child enters a classroom? Stories from the Mat, with Jan brings together families, educators and experts to explore the ideas, stories and practical tools that help children become confident learners from the very beginning. Hosted by best-selling children's author Jan Falconer, each episode combines thoughtful conversation, practical insight and real-world experience to help parents, grandparents, carers and educators support children with confidence. Because the smallest moments can shape a child's future.

Information