The story

 I first came up with the idea behind Bond Blocks in 2016. In the classroom I had been struck over and over with the stark contrasts between those who ‘got’ maths and those who found it really hard. I kept noticing students using inefficient methods, such as counting in ones on their fingers to complete simple calculations. I looked high and low for resources to help. In comparison to literacy there was a complete lack of high-quality resources to choose from. So I got inspired and set about working to ‘be the change’.

During this time in my personal life my son had been diagnosed with an overwhelming number of challenges including Level 3 High Functioning Autism. I was head and heart deep in therapy and learning how to best support neurodiverse children.

It was the colliding (honestly, quite painfully) of these worlds that led to the creation of Bond Blocks. With the support of my legendary husband and help from my two kids Bond Blocks were born. Hubby did a Bunnings run. The kids and I sat outside sanding the protype blocks, getting sawdust up our noses. My third child had arrived! I took the idea to Paul and as they say the rest is history. Well not quite – after extensive trialling, revising, learning a bunch of new skills including website development and making hundreds of videos – after an 8-year gestation period of labour, love and prayer, Bond Blocks were born.

My hope is that through Bond Blocks teachers, parents and students will build Curiosity, Connections and Confidence with maths.

Narelle