Stepping Stones to success - a conversation with our very own Rachel

Rachel, thank you so much for taking the time to chat! We’re really excited to dive into your journey of  becoming a published author and learn more about your book, Stepping Stones.

Let’s start at the beginning - what is Stepping Stones all about?

The book is a series of graded gross motor skills programmes intended to support adults to support young people to master very specific motor skills, like throwing and catching a ball, balancing and bike riding. It is all about breaking skills into achievable chunks and building on these towards success that the child can see and celebrate!

What inspired you to write the book?

I’ve always loved making resources and thinking about how to support children and young people. A resource can reach a young person that I may never get to meet. I was blown away when I first piloted the book and was told that a parent had used a Stepping Stones programme with their child and successfully taught them to ride their bike!! That gave me tingles!

You’re a highly skilled Occupational Therapist with a huge amount of experience.  Was there a lightbulb moment for you where you just knew you had to write this book? 

Yes, I used to write a number of individual programmes for young people and realised that I was reinventing the wheel and repeating myself. It occurred to me that a graded guide to a specific activity might be used with a number of children. It was a former colleague who approached a publisher (unbeknown to me!) on my behalf and when they showed an interest, it suddenly felt possible…so I went for it!

Writing a book while juggling work and family life sounds intense - how did you manage it?

I was just really energised by the possibility of creating Stepping Stones…the reality is that it took 7 years, start to finish, as I could never commit a huge amount of time to it exclusively, with work and family commitments…I just kept going…even though I didn’t always feel like it…there were several really important people who kept me going at the right time too…

What was the most challenging part of the process?

I was so scared to submit the manuscript to the publisher and dreaded the editing process, but this was not nearly as arduous as I thought it would be…the most challenging thing was to organise, plan and execute the photography for the book, as I had a tight deadline. I was so grateful for my photographer, a fellow school mum, Fiona Georgeson-Powell, who willingly gave her time and skills to the project: she was a godsend…

What did you learn along the way?

That anything you set your mind and energy to IS possible!! I never knew I had a book in me, although I always had the ambition to be an author.

I learned about the generosity of colleagues and staff from the schools who welcomed me with enthusiasm and spent time with me to pilot and review the programme in its infancy. 

I learned that I am a writer!

Finally, how does it feel to be a published author? And what’s next?

I’m so proud of Stepping Stones and I have a couple of ideas that I’d like to develop…using a similar approach to Stepping Stones but with a slightly different focus. I’m considering a School Readiness Stepping Stones, so watch this space. If anyone reading this feels inspired to get involved…get in touch and let’s see what we can create…

Thanks Rachel, we are lucky to have you as part of the Now, Next & Then team and can’t wait to read your next book!

Here’s where you can get a copy Helping-Children-Improve-Their-Skills

Lou and Rachel
Children’s Occupational Therapists