At around the age of 3 children begin to understand that they are a separate being from everyone else. They can start to see when things are fair or unfair, and they can understand other people’s feelings, recognising emotions in others more easily. This is a gradual process and all children learn and mature at different rates, so some children might show signs of being able to do this earlier, some might not be ready yet. This is all normal.

Blossom was created by me, Sarah Featherstone. I have taught for 14 years, mostly in outstanding infant schools in Sheffield. I have been fortunate enough to work with some amazing people who shared their practice with me over the years. Here’s how I got here so that you can feel confident that I know what I’m doing…

Will break my bones but words will never harm me. What a funny phrase - of course words can hurt me! A classroom exchange causes me to reflect on how we speak to our children.