‘To be able to ideate, to think a fresh thought and offer it, is the only hope for our future.’

Join us for an enlightening chat with Lindi Bell, educational innovator and the founder of Small World School in Johannesburg, the first Reggio-inspired school in South Africa. She shares how a child’s imagination and creativity are linked, and explains how reading, playing, listening, boredom, open-ended time and a space to create are the keys to a child’s success. You will find out how to help your children thrive this holiday!

Listen here now – Apple and Spotify.

With over 30 years of experience teaching across every age group, Lindi has become known for her fierce belief that children are strong, capable, creative and deeply intelligent—and that this should be celebrated.

Before founding Small World, Lindi was part of the executive leadership of a government high school in Cape Town, and before that, she taught English in full Dead-Poets-Society spirit. She is also a mother of three, which deeply informs her perspective on education, connection and childhood wonder.

Lindi has studied and taught widely in the fields of Multiple Intelligences, Emotional Intelligence, Play Therapy, Art Therapy, Imago Relationship Theory and the Reggio Approach. She has seen first-hand what children can do when they are given a “yes” environment—one that trusts their curiosity, honours their voice, and invites their creativity.

Today, her work continues to focus on building environments that allow children, parents and teachers to inhabit wonder, imagination and courage—and to rediscover their creativity along the way. Find out more about Small World School here.

Plus we have a list of great books for holiday reading from Penguin Random House’s Children’s Sales Representative, Shinola Govender.

Listen here! Apple and Spotify.

Find the books mentioned in the podcast, below.

Find us on Apple and Spotify. Follow us on @booktreetalk

Read more on the books mentioned:

The Twits: The Terrible Tale of Twitlandia

(Inspired) By Roald Dahl (Penguin Random House)

Ages 8-12

A brand-new story about the the meanest, smelliest, nastiest people in the world. Based on the global Netflix movie and inspired by the characters of Roald Dahl’s The Twits.

Family

By Patricia Heggarty and illustrated by Britta Teckentrup (Penguin Random House)

Age 3-5

In this latest addition to the bestselling series of nature-themed books, animal parents and their young help you celebrate families, love, and the wonders of nature.

The Princess Swap: Cinderella and the Beast (or, Beauty and the Glass Slipper)

By Kim Bussing (Penguin Random House)

Age 8-12

What would happen if Cinderella found herself in the beast’s castle, and Beauty woke up in some evil stepmother’s home? Fairy tales meet Freaky Friday in this series, where there’s a magical mix-up for every princess! A fun and imaginative series that mixes up popular fairy tales with surprising results!

Jan Braai Junior In The Kitchen

By Jan Braai (Penguin Random House)

Ages 6 up

Following on the massive success of ‘Jan Braai Junior’ this is the perfect recipe book to start your child’s lifelong journey of enjoying cooking and good food. Expect good basics and some fun recipes. Read more here.