Geraldine Hyman

Parents often describe their child as either "confident" or "shy." After more than twenty years working with children, I've come to think it's rarely that simple.

Many children aren't frightened of the activity itself. They're worried about all the things they don't know yet. A little familiarity before they arrive can make those first few minutes feel much…

Many parents worry they're not giving their child enough opportunities. But over the years, I've realised that sometimes the biggest gift we can give children is a little more space to breathe.

A little while ago, a young girl arrived for her first Theatretrain session. She was holding tightly onto her mum’s hand. She looked nervous. Unsure. I wasn’t convinced she’d come through the…

One of the questions parents ask me from time to time is: “How do I know if they’re actually enjoying it?” It’s a fair question. Especially if your child isn’t someone who…

You’ve picked them up after what looked like a brilliant day. You ask what they did and all you get is “I don’t know.” If that sounds familiar, you’re definitely not alone.

Many parents judge whether an activity is right for their child after just one session. Over the years, I’ve learnt that the first visit often tells you the least about what happens…

For many parents, the first 10 minutes of a taster session are the bit they worry about most. Will my child be okay? Will they know what to do? Do I have…

It's one of the most common concerns parents have before booking a taster session. The good news is that most of the children already at Theatretrain arrived feeling exactly the same way.…

Some children walk into a new activity and jump straight in. Others need a little more time. If your child is shy, quiet in groups or nervous around new people, you may…