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🎙️ S2 E8: Supporting Every Learner with Lorraine Petersen

In this thoughtful and empowering episode, we’re joined by SEND specialist and inclusion advocate Lorraine Petersen to talk about what truly inclusive education looks like in today’s schools. With decades of experience supporting children, families, and educators, Lorraine shares practical insights, compassionate advice, and a clear vision for how we can better meet the needs of learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

We explore the realities teachers face, the importance of strong school–family partnerships, and how small changes in practice can make a big difference to a child’s confidence, independence, and success. This episode is full of reassurance, expertise, and actionable ideas for anyone working to create classrooms where every child feels seen, supported, and valued.

✨ In this episode, we explore:

• What meaningful inclusion looks like in everyday classroom practice
• Supporting children with SEND without overwhelm
• Working positively with parents and carers
• Building confidence and independence in learners with additional needs
• Bridging the gap between policy and real classroom life

A must-listen for educators, school leaders, and anyone passionate about making education more inclusive, compassionate, and effective for all children.

Remember to explore all of the Muddy Puddle Teacher Resources, including SEND packs.

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🎙️ S2 E7: Growing Greener Schools with Edd Moore

In this inspiring episode, we’re joined by environmental educator, author, and primary teacher Edd Moore, founder of EcoEd. Edd has worked with schools across the UK and beyond to turn environmental concern into meaningful action, helping children see that their voices — and their everyday choices — really do matter.

We talk about practical ways to bring sustainability into the classroom without overwhelm, how to nurture young changemakers, and why eco-education isn’t an “extra” but an essential part of preparing children for the future. Expect realistic ideas, honest reflections from school life, and plenty of encouragement for teachers who want to make a difference but don’t know where to start.

✨ In this episode, we explore:

• Simple ways to embed sustainability into everyday lessons
• How schools can move from eco-awareness to eco-action
• Empowering children to lead environmental change
• Avoiding teacher burnout while still making an impact
• Building a whole-school culture of care for the planet

Find Edd’s work:
🌱 Website & resources: https://www.ecoedd.com/

📘 Book: 100 Ideas for Primary Teachers: Greener School — packed with practical, classroom-ready ideas for weaving sustainability into school life

Perfect for educators who want to raise environmentally aware children while keeping learning hopeful, practical, and empowering.

Gain more Eco ideas from The Muddy Puddle Teacher.

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S2 E6: Come and Write Children’s Stories with Caryl Hart

Join us for a creative and joyful episode with bestselling children’s author Caryl Hart — the imaginative force behind over 80 picture books and inspiring stories for young readers. Caryl shares her personal writing journey, practical tips for sparking ideas, and how to help children (and adults!) feel excited and confident about writing stories. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or aspiring writer, this conversation is packed with fun, insight, and encouragement.

✨ In this episode, we explore:

• Where story ideas really come from
• How to build characters that stick
• Making writing feel playful, not pressured
• Classroom activities you can use right away
• Encouraging reluctant writers to find their voice

Follow Caryl & explore her work:
🔗 Website: https://carylhart.com/
— find her books, workshops, activities and author insights
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carylhart/
— creative inspiration and updates
👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarylHartAuthor/
— news and community posts

Perfect for anyone who wants to make writing more engaging, creative, and fun — for kids and for themselves!

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What does a Learning Mentor really do each day? In this episode, Faye opens the door to her world, sharing the heart, humour, and challenges of supporting young people in an alternative provision setting for pupils excluded from mainstream education. From building trust and restoring confidence to navigating tough moments with empathy and patience, she shows how the right support at the right time can change a child’s path.

Expect real stories, honest reflections, and a behind-the-scenes look at the relationships that help students feel safe, understood, and ready to learn again. Whether you work in education or simply care about young people’s well-being, this is a warm, eye-opening listen that highlights a role that often operates quietly in the background — but makes a life-changing difference every day.

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Guest: Georgia Lucas – Reception Teacher & Content Creator

Host: Sarah Seaman

Come and teach With Joy: How Georgia Lucas Brings Real-Life Classroom Magic to Social Media

🌿 Episode Overview

In this episode, Sarah talks with Georgia Lucas, a Reception teacher from England whose down-to-earth posts on Instagram and TikTok capture the everyday beauty, chaos and creativity of early years teaching.

Together they explore how Georgia uses social media to celebrate teaching, inspire others and show that EYFS life is full of messy, meaningful moments — much like The Muddy Puddle Teacher® approach.

🧩 Key Themes

• Authentic teaching in Early Years
• Creativity, play and outdoor learning
• The teacher-creator balance
• The power of storytelling and community online
• Finding joy and well-being in teaching life

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Guest: Angie Jenkins – Forest School Leader & Nature Preschool Founder (USA)

Host: Sarah Seaman

Episode Length: 35–45 minutes

“Growing Little Explorers: How Angie Jenkins Is Nurturing Nature-Based Learning in the USA”

🌿 Episode Overview

In this inspiring international episode, Sarah connects with Angie Jenkins, a Forest School leader and founder of a thriving nature preschool in the United States.

Angie shares her journey from traditional teaching to outdoor education, how she’s built a nature-based school from the ground up, and what it means to let children learn through curiosity, freedom, and connection with the land.

Together, they explore the similarities — and differences — between the Muddy Puddle Teacher® approach in the UK and the growing Forest School and outdoor preschool movement in the US.

🌎 Key Themes

• Building a nature-based preschool from scratch
• Forest School philosophy in the American context
• Child-led, inquiry-based learning outdoors
• Supporting emotional well-being and resilience through nature
• Community engagement and parent involvement
• Bridging the gap between UK and US outdoor education models

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Grab your wellies and your wild imagination — this week on Come Chat with Muddy T’s, we’re joined by the brilliant Antoinette Portis, author and illustrator of the much-loved picture books Not a Stick and Not a Box!

In this episode, we dig into the power of child-led play and the beauty of seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary. Antoinette shares how a simple stick (or box, or puddle!) can become a gateway to creativity, confidence, and storytelling magic — the very heart of early years exploration.

So whether you’re in the mud kitchen, the forest school, or curled up with a cuppa, join us for a joyful chat about imagination, art, and the wonder of open-ended play.

Discover more from Antoinette Portis:

• 🌐 Website → antoinetteportis.com
  
  
• 📸 Instagram → @bathingonthemoon
  
  
• 🐦 X (Twitter) → @aportisa
  
  
• 📘 Facebook → facebook.com/antoinette.portis
  
  
• 📚 Books → Not a Stick
  | Not a Box
  
  

Let’s celebrate imagination, one muddy stick at a time! 🌱

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Jo Schofield and Fiona Danks

Jo and Fiona are on a mission to encourage more families and children to discover the joys of wild places and to reconnect with nature. By spending time outdoors, children learn vital new skills, find out how to judge risk, and experience the joy and wonder that nature inspires. They also start to understand how we are all connected with the diverse ecosystems on which all of our futures depend.

For over twenty years Fiona and Jo have been writing their inspiring Going Wild books, all packed with an incredible variety of fun activities to tempt children outdoors. The books are designed to be used wherever you live (wild spaces can be found everywhere!) and at any time of year. Their thirteen books include Nature’s Playground, Go Wild, Make it Wild, Run Wild, The Stick Book, The Wild Weather Book, The Beach Book, The Wild City Book, The Den Book, The Wild Year Book, Wild Things, Make This Book Wild and the soon to be published Make Every Week Wild (February 2026). All the activities are designed for the outdoors, and don’t need much preparation. The activities are very varied, ranging from creative and imaginary to practical and games. The books are used by teachers, environmental educators and forest school leaders, families and also some have been used in health care settings to improve and promote well being and mental health. Fiona has a degree in ecology and worked in environmental education for two Wildlife Trusts, and Jo was an educational psychologist before a successful career in creative photography.

They met in the school playground when their children were young and shared some amazing outdoor experiences with their growing families. They are now each enjoying taking their young grandchildren out into nature. As well as writing their books they have given talks and keynote speeches, written articles, run workshops (including for CBeebies), training events for teachers and activities at book festivals and worked with a range of organisations including Natural England, The National Trust, The Forest School Association, Scouts and the Wildlife Trusts.

Our website - www.goingwild.net
Facebook - Going Wild
Instagram - @goingwild1
Emails - fionadanks@gmail.com and jo1schofield@gmail.com

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