In Episode 21 — The Selkie: Between the Land and the Sea, Jan travels north to Orkney and down to the shore for a traditional story that belongs to the sea.

A man discovers Selkie women dancing on a beach after shedding their seal skins. He steals one of the skins, leaving its owner unable to return to the water. She remains on land, becomes his wife and has children — but she never forgets the sea. Years later, when her hidden skin is discovered, she finally has a way home.

There isn't only one Selkie story. These tales have been told and retold in different places for generations, with versions of Selkie traditions found beyond Orkney, elsewhere in Scotland and in related stories in Ireland.

Living close to the shore in Orkney, Jan reflects on the landscape in which stories like these have travelled: seals watching from the water, creatures disappearing back beneath the waves and thick seaweed lying along the coastline. She doesn't claim this explains how the Selkie tradition began — we don't know — but it's easy to understand how landscape, animals and imagination might make somebody wonder: what if?

Jan also considers echoes she hears in other stories about land, sea and the human imagination, while being careful not to equate Selkies with The Little Mermaid or the Sirens of The Odyssey.

And underneath it all is a question she keeps returning to:

What did the Selkie want?

Different listeners may hear love, belonging, homesickness, possession or freedom. Others may simply hear a wonderful story about people who become seals.

Perhaps that's part of the reason these stories continue to travel.

Explore further

Scottish writer and storyteller Kenny Boyle is someone Jan thoroughly enjoys listening to. His YouTube channel offers another doorway into Scottish folklore and storytelling:

https://www.youtube.com/@KennyBoyleOfficial

Hinemoa lived at Ōwhata on the eastern shore. Across the water, on Mokoia Island, lived Tūtānekai. They loved one another, but Hinemoa's family did not consider Tūtānekai a suitable match.

They were so determined to prevent Hinemoa crossing the lake that they removed the hoe, the paddles, from the waka.

Hinemoa found another way.

In Episode 20 — Hinemoa and Tūtānekai: The Story That Crossed the Water, Jan tells the story of Hinemoa tying together six empty gourds to help keep herself afloat before swimming through the darkness towards Mokoia Island and the sound of Tūtānekai's music.

But the story doesn't end at the shores of Lake Rotorua.

Jan remembers how it travelled into her own family. Her brother Richard, a strong swimmer who knew what Hinemoa had done, decided as a teenager to swim Lake Rotorua himself. Years later, the family is still telling that story.

Then there's cousin Vinnie — talented musician, definitely not a gangster — who encountered the story during a family trip to Rotorua, found a nose flute and decided he was Tūtānekai.

Jan also carefully distinguishes that family memory from the tradition surrounding Tūtānekai. The instrument associated with him is a Māori flute, and one treasured kōauau connected with Tūtānekai is Te Murirangaranga. Accounts differ in some details about the flute and even who produced the music Hinemoa heard.

It's a story about Hinemoa and Tūtānekai — but also about what can happen when stories are told again and again, travelling through generations and sometimes becoming woven into our own family memories.

In Earth Mother and Sky Father: The World of Light — Papatūānuku and Ranginui: Te Ao Mārama, Jan tells a Māori creation story she has known for many years.

Ranginui and Papatūānuku are locked together in a close embrace, with their children living in darkness between them. After others try unsuccessfully to separate them, Tāne, god of the forests and trees, pushes Sky Father upwards from Mother Earth and creates the space for Te Ao Mārama — the world of light.

Jan reflects on what she hears in the story now: not only earth, sky and the forests of Aotearoa, but a family facing different opinions, a difficult decision and its consequences. The children gain light, space and a world in which to grow, while their parents lose one another.

She also remembers standing beneath Tāne Mahuta, the great kauri tree in Waipoua Forest, in the early 1980s — an experience whose majesty and silent power has stayed with her.

The episode considers the enormous question human beings across cultures have explored in different ways: how did all this begin? Jan also distinguishes these creation stories from the scientific account of the Big Bang while reflecting on the curiosity behind questions about beginnings.

And she returns to something very simple: the way an old story can make us look again at a tree, the earth beneath our feet and the sky above us.

Explore further

Te Ao Māori — New Zealand Ministry for the Environment
Explore one telling of the Māori creation story and discover more about Ranginui, Papatūānuku and their children:
https://environment.govt.nz/te-ao-maori/te-timatanga-o-te-ao-maori/

The OER Project — Origin Stories
Explore origin stories from different cultures around the world:
https://www.oerproject.com/topics/origin-stories?WT.mc_id=00_00_2026_CONV_CLM_TOP_ROWT2_CK-topics_AK-originstories_OER-SEM_&WT.tsrc=OERSEM&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23936471894&gbraid=0AAAAACd_5E3n0l1D5eMQafRoxtb_fmEEh&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4orUBhCjARIsAIbF3qzIExZY4BNBnBzHHfbr_n16jF7OiNrRIH_IpTC_ORCqx9tVXU28eJwaAtbAEALw_wcB

Series 3 of Stories from the Mat with Jan begins with The Boy Who Cried Wolf, a story so familiar that even people who haven't read Aesop's Fables may know exactly what's coming.

But how did that story travel all the way to us? And why are we still telling it?

Jan explores the extraordinary way stories have carried memories, history, culture and identity from one generation to another. She considers why stories from very different cultures can sometimes contain familiar patterns, from Hinemoa and Tūtānekai in Aotearoa to Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story and even Lady and the Tramp.

This episode also opens the door to the journey ahead in Series 3: an adventure through traditional stories, legends and storytelling from around the world.

Because sometimes learning begins with one very simple question:

“Have you ever heard the story about...?”

What I didn't expect was how much they would change the way I saw the world.

Linda Murphy encouraged me to think differently about what "enough" really means. Laura Strachan reminded me that children don't always need new stories – sometimes they simply need familiar ones read with love. Julie Ball showed me that wonder begins with noticing, and Ruth Shevlin helped me recognise that creativity often lives quietly in the ordinary things we do every day.

This final reflection isn't a summary of the series. It's a chance to pause, look back and consider the things we've come to appreciate along the way.

I hope these conversations have encouraged you to notice the confidence, wonder and creativity already present in your own family life.

Thank you for joining me on the mat this series.

And as Julie would say... here's to a little more joyment.

Find out more about:-

Linda- https://www.lindamurphybooks.com

Laura- https://laurastrachanbooks.com

Julie- https://www.julieballauthor.com

Ruth- https://rdschildrensbooks.com

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Is it something reserved for artists and musicians, or is it woven into the everyday moments of family life?

In this episode, I explore how imagination grows through lived experiences, relationships and play. Inspired by Ruth's stories and supported by the work of Sir Ken Robinson and Lev Vygotsky, we consider how baking, gardening, storytelling, making and sharing memories are all creative acts that shape children's lives.

A gentle reflection for parents, grandparents, teachers and anyone who has ever wondered whether creativity is much closer than we think.

Learn more about Ruth Don Shevlin and her books at Ruth Don Shevlin Children's Books

In this episode of Stories from the Mat with Jan, I talk with children's author and illustrator Ruth Don Shevlin about the childhood memories, family experiences and everyday moments that inspired her writing.

From the story behind Rebecca's Dream That Wasn't to the origins of Esmeralda and the Lollipop Tree, Ruth shares how imagination, creativity and a lifelong love of children shaped her journey as an author.

Along the way, we discuss storytelling, teaching, illustration, photography, puppet shows and why some of the most memorable children's books begin with the ordinary moments of family life.

To learn more about Ruth Don Shevlin and her books, visit Ruth Don Shevlin Children's Books.

Following my conversation with children's author Julie Ball, I found myself thinking about the quiet moments that so often become the beginning of learning.

A gecko hiding behind a cinnamon broom. A butterfly in the garden. A child who notices something the rest of us walk past.

In this reflection, I explore how curiosity, imagination and a sense of wonder develop through noticing the ordinary rather than searching for the extraordinary. Drawing on Julie's experiences, together with the work of Alison Gopnik and Rachel Carson, we consider why children don't always need us to teach them wonder—they may simply need us to make space for it.

A gentle reflection for parents, grandparents, teachers and anyone who believes learning begins with curiosity.

Learn more about Julie and her books at Julie Ball's website

In this episode of Stories from the Mat with Jan, I talk with children's author Julie Ball about the inspiration behind Tucker the Gecko and the Cinnamon Broom and why curiosity is at the heart of childhood.

Julie shares how years spent as a nanny, teacher and lifelong lover of nature shaped her writing, and why she believes children learn best when they are free to notice, explore and ask questions about the world around them.

Together we discuss storytelling, imagination, illustrations, bravery and the importance of helping children build a lifelong connection with nature—one small adventure at a time.

To learn more about Julie and her books, visit Julie Ball Author.

Following my conversation with children's author Laura Strachan, I found myself reflecting on the quiet power of familiar stories.

Children often ask to hear the same book again and again. As adults, we sometimes wonder why. Yet perhaps every return to a favourite story helps build something much deeper than literacy. It builds confidence.

In this episode, I explore Laura's observations alongside the work of Jerome Bruner, Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Roberta Golinkoff and Todd Rose, reflecting on how children learn through repetition, relationships, conversation and shared experiences.

This is a gentle reflection for parents, grandparents, teachers and anyone who believes that learning begins long before a child walks through the school gates.

We explore her journey into writing, the inspiration behind her books, the importance of illustrations in storytelling, and why familiar stories continue to delight young readers. Along the way, Laura shares insights from her years working with children and reflects on how creativity, kindness and curiosity help shape confident young learners.

Whether you're a parent, grandparent, teacher, aspiring author or simply someone who loves children's books, I hope you'll enjoy this thoughtful conversation.

To discover Laura's books, visit Laura Strachan Books.

What does enough really look like?

Inspired by Linda's picture book Olli's Cave of Treasures, this episode explores gratitude, value, financial literacy, confidence and the quiet lessons children—and adults—discover through stories.

Drawing on Linda's experience as a former accounting teacher, together with reflections on Carol Vorderman's work in financial literacy and Todd Rose's research on individual learning, Jan considers how stories gently help children develop confidence, curiosity and an understanding of what truly matters.

If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about children's learning, storytelling and family life, we'd love you to subscribe and join us for future episodes.

Linda shares her journey from accounting and education into children's publishing, and explains why she believes stories are one of the most powerful ways to help children explore gratitude, value, financial literacy and the idea of "enough."

Together, Jan and Linda discuss reading aloud, confident learners, curiosity, and how picture books can open conversations that stay with children long after the final page.

If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about children's books, parenting and learning, we'd love you to subscribe and join us for future episodes.

What learning feels like before five.

Over eight episodes we've explored confidence, stories, readiness, repetition, relationships and the ordinary moments that shape childhood. And perhaps all of those conversations have been leading us towards the same idea.

Children are not simply learning facts.

They are learning what learning feels like.

In this final episode of Series 1, I reflect on the themes that have emerged throughout the journey and explore what we are really building when we help children feel safe, curious, confident and connected.

Because those feelings may stay with them for a lifetime.

🌿 Join the Club for stories, family resources, reading ideas and updates:

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A child helping in the garden.
Feeding a pet.
Setting the table.
Helping tidy up.

These moments may not look educational, yet they are often where some of the most important learning takes place.

In this episode of Stories from the Mat, with Jan, I reflect on how children develop confidence, responsibility and a sense of belonging through ordinary family life.

Drawing on personal stories, the work of Urie Bronfenbrenner and Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, and years of watching children learn, we explore why childhood is built not only from special occasions but from the thousands of everyday moments in between.

Because learning isn't just about information.

It's about becoming.

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As adults, we can sometimes worry that repetition means a child isn't moving forward. Yet what if the opposite is true?

In this episode of Stories from the Mat, with Jan, I explore how repetition helps children build language, confidence and understanding. Drawing on the work of Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Lev Vygotsky, Jerome Bruner and Urie Bronfenbrenner, we consider why familiar stories create safe spaces for children to participate, predict, connect and grow.

Because the story may stay the same.

But the child doesn't.

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They already know the characters. They know the favourite parts. They know how it ends. Yet they keep coming back.

In this episode of Stories from the Mat, with Jan, we explore what stories do for children, why familiarity can be just as powerful as novelty, and how favourite stories become active learning experiences.

Drawing on the work of Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Lev Vygotsky and Jerome Bruner, Jan reflects on how stories help children make sense of language, relationships, emotions and the world around them.

Because stories are about much more than entertainment.

They help children learn how life works.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.