Hot on the heels of my 20th Anniversary Celebration, I am sharing my FingerTips Festive Advent Calendar, providing short reels via my social media accounts introducing my Five Finger Thinking following the Talking Together, Learning Together, Growing Together theme.
As sharing is part of my ethos, I will also be featuring links to some of my free resources
and in this time of giving, some details of charities that are close to my heart.
Please see below the links to the resources and the charities I am featuring
plus also links to my social media accounts, should you wish to follow my Advent!
ALI'S ADVENT LINKS
Day of Calm Foundation - Rescue-A-School: Brilliant Primary School, Uganda
Help the forgotten children in Uganda while creating peace at home for your own family
In the rural village of Kyarusozi, Western Uganda, there is a school that stands as the only safe haven for hundreds of vulnerable children — many of them orphaned by HIV/AIDS, abandoned, or forced to work in fields instead of classrooms. Brilliant Primary School was founded in 2015 with one mission: to give every child, especially girls at risk of early marriage a chance to learn, dream, and build a better future. Today, 417 children (240 girls) are cared for and taught by 15 dedicated teachers who fight every day to keep hope alive. But hope alone can’t keep a roof over their heads. The classrooms are overcrowded. The children lack books, supplies, and even food. Many walk miles barefoot each morning, arriving hungry and exhausted - yet they still smile, eager to learn.
This fundraiser has been created by the International Day of Calm Foundation
and you can make a donation here
Celia Kibler, founder of the International Day of Calm Foundation,
was a guest on Ali's 'Talking Together' Podcast earlier this year.
Find out more about Celia and listen to the Podcast!
Home-Start UK
Home-Start is a local community network of trained volunteers and expert support helping families with young children through their challenging times. We are there for parents when they need us the most.
Home-Start works with families in homes and communities right across the UK. Starting in the home, our approach is tailored to what the family needs. No judgement, it's just compassionate, confidential help and expert support. There are around 175 local, independent Home-Starts working in areas across the UK offering support tailored to what families need. Families struggling with post-natal depression, isolation, physical health problems, bereavement and many other issues receive the support of a volunteer who will spend around two hours a week in a family’s home supporting them in the ways they need.
Last year Home-Start supported 76,750 children in 58,938 families, in communities across the UK.
Find out more about Home-Start UK
Make a donation to support them and their work: Christmas Appeal 2025
Ali's First Advent Gift to You
My 'Talking Together' Podcast with Steve Biddle AM
Transforming Anxiety... in Children, Teens and Adults
I was so excited when Steve, who was one of the major influences in my career and life agreed to guest on my 'Talking Together' podcast earlier this year, despite it meaning that he had to get up at around 4.30 a.m. in the morning (he lives in Australia) as we were recording live with an audience.
Steve is one of the most supportive and caring men I have ever met and is a renowned international author and speaker my first meeting with him was when he came to a local event I was organising and donated his fees from a recent event to helping me start a charity to help children and families. Incredible!
Click on the following link to access all details of the Podcast, learn about Steve and of course, listen to it: TT with Steve Biddulph
The podcast is also available on all of the usual players along with the series
Another Advent Gift from Ali for You!
FREE Online, live and interactive session
Introducing FingerTips - Five Finger Thinking
Join me in January 2026 for my FREE Online and Interactive session (via secure Zoom session)
During this session, I will introduce the basics of my fabulous FingerTips, Five Finger Thinking... learn what each of the fingers represent and how to use them! Simply complete the form (link below) to register and also feel free to provide me with your avaialable days/times in the comments field - or provide me with details of when you are not available and we will contact you to confirm the date and time, which will be scheduled based on the availability of most registrants.
Click on the following link to register for your FREE place: Register now!
Date and Time to be confirmed.
Another Advent Gift from Ali for You!
Join Ali for 'Playing with Sticks' 2026
Fun in the Woods for all the Family
Join Ali and her family on Saturday 6th June 2026
By popular demand 'Playing with Sticks' 2026 is back and once again and Ali has booked the campsite at the beautiful woods on the outskirts of Guildford for the weekend...
| PLAYING WITH STICKS! | COOKING ON STICKS! | SLEEPING UNDER STICKS! |
Click on the following link to register for your FREE place: Register now!
Joining details will be provided closer ot the date!
World Forum Foundation
2026 World Forum
April 14 - 17, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Booking / Registration is still open if you would like to join Ali and early childhood professionals, colleagues and advocates from 40+ countries for an informative and inspiring experience as they gather in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to grow a global community and movement to impact young children and their families, today and into the future. Experience and contribute to open dialogue, sincere storytelling, and cross-culture curiosity through both structured and informal opportunities to connect early childhood professionals like YOU from around the world.
Click on the following links for more information:
| World Forum Foundation/Home | World Forum 2026 Event Page | World Forum 2026 Event Schedule |
A Special Event for Parents... and their Children
'It Started with a Stick' - Open-ended Play
Saturday Event in two sessions
Join me and an esteemed colleague for this special day
Starting with a session just for parents/carers we will look at open-ended play
followed ny a further session for the children will join in!
It's not about camping, it's not about the big outdoors -
it's sharing our ideas that can be used for open-ended play with your children -
things that you can do together!
Click on the following link to register for your FREE place: Register now!
Date and Time to be confirmed.
FOLLOW ALI ON THE SOCIALS!
Click on the image to be directed to Ali's corresponding social media account
