The Golden Science Series – Book Three - Elsie Knight (1937)

I found this book in a second-hand bookshop. It wasn’t something I was looking for, but it caught my attention. What stands out most is how science is presented as part of ordinary life rather than as something that belongs only in laboratories. It appears in air, water, plants, weather and the human body. Much of what is explained can be noticed, tested or thought about at home.

The chapters move through a wide range of topics. There are sections on plants and how they adapt and change, including how roots, stems and leaves respond to their surroundings. Air pressure and moisture in the atmosphere are explained through everyday observations, linking weather patterns to what can be seen and felt. The book also introduces the nervous system, using familiar actions and responses to show how the body reacts to its environment.

Throughout the book, the child is encouraged to observe the world carefully, to notice cause and effect and to follow an explanation step by step. Ideas are built gradually rather than presented as isolated facts. Science is treated as a way of understanding everyday life, not as a separate subject removed from it.

The illustrations and diagrams are simple and functional. They are used to clarify ideas, such as plant structures or basic apparatus, rather than to decorate the page or replace the text. This is a book that can be read independently or shared. It offers a glimpse into how science was once taught to children.

Childhood & Play

Before my children were born, I spent a lot of time reading about education and child development. I did this in order to understand what children actually need, rather than what the modern world keeps selling to parents.

I read about different philosophies: Montessori, Steiner, Charlotte Mason, progressive education and traditional schooling. I did not choose one approach and follow it rigidly.

Different stages of childhood and different needs, called for different ideas. What mattered most to me was the respect for childhood where children were not rushed, overloaded or pushed into adulthood too early.

My children played a lot.

Not games designed to teach something every second, not toys that flashed, talked, or rewarded them. Mostly wooden toys, dolls, blocks, cars, simple things. Toys that did not do anything unless the child did something with them.

I noticed very early on that toys with lights and sounds did not hold their attention for long. They were noisy, but empty. The play ended quickly. With simple toys, the play lasted much longer. They made up stories and constantly used their imagination.

I was careful about what came into our home. We chose toys that left room for imagination and those were the ones the children returned to.

Books were always part of daily life. We read aloud every day, sometimes for a long time, often the same book again and again. Books were everywhere: on shelves, in baskets, beside beds. They were not precious objects kept out of reach. Children who grow up surrounded by books see reading as normal, not a task or a chore.

As my children grew, they were able to sit with a book, focus for long stretches and entertain themselves without constant input. Their language and imagination developed through play and reading.

Childhood today is often busy and structured. When less is planned, children often do more with their imagination, and have space simply to be children.

Journey with a Screen-Free Childhood

Surrounded by a world where screens were the epitome of everyone’s lives, my childhood was an exception. I was raised screen-free without TV’s , video games, or the constant need to be entertained. Instead, we filled our days with creative activities like drawing and painting, reading classic stories, and exploring the world. Looking back now as a 19 year-old with my own jewellery business, a successful school life, and equipped with life skills, I can see how this has benefited me.

One of the most important ways that having a screen-free childhood helped me was by teaching me to engage with my surroundings, listen to people actively, and appreciate the smalll things in life. I wasn’t passively consuming content; I was actively engaging with it. Unlike many children today, who often struggle with short attention spans, limited vocabularies, and a constant desire for entertainment, I have been able to develop passions, value human connections, and find joy in hobbies.

Reading played a central role in my upbringing. With no TV or devices to distract me, books became my primary source of entertainment. Classic stories like The Secret Garden and Anne of Green Gables opened up new worlds for me, filled with complex characters, and meaningful life lessons. These stories shaped my thinking, helped me understand different perspectives, and built my vocabulary in ways that still serve me today. Reading also instilled in me a love for lifelong learning it’s a habit I still treasure and one I know has been integral in my personal and academic growth.

Books and stories, whether read or listened to, have been a constant source of growth and inspiration in my life, and I can’t imagine growing up without them.

Now, as a psychology student, I can see how this upbringing aligns with what research tells us about development. A screen-free childhood supports attention regulation, language development, and empathy which are key for cognitive and emotional growth. Stories help children understand emotions and human behaviour, which may explain why I feel so naturally drawn to studying psychology today.

“No story lives unless you are willing to listen.”

-Daughter of founder, 19 year old university student studying psychology