Today, I am sharing something important and very close to the heart of the Space Ranger Fred universe – a new word and a new idea developed through years of writing, observing, and working with children, parents, teachers, and storytellers.
The word is Menturity™.
Menturity™ is a term I have created to describe something that is incredibly valuable, yet often overlooked:
The measurable skill of thinking, imagining, communicating, and taking action through real-world experience and play.
Children today know more facts than ever before. They can swipe screens before they can write their names. But many are experiencing less – fewer opportunities to try, jump, experiment, build, imagine, fail safely and try again. Menturity™ exists to name, protect, and value that part of childhood.
Because childhood is not just about what a child knows.
It is about what a child can do with what they know.
Where the Idea Comes From
The Space Ranger Fred books were born from curiosity, laughter, and a love of adventure – but something deeper soon became clear. When children read the stories, act them out, jump like Fred jumps, or turn puddles into planets, something changes. They become braver. Louder. More imaginative. More willing to try.
That change – that growth – needed a name.
Menturity™ is that name.
It allows us to talk about:
- language and expression
- confidence and emotional resilience
- imagination and curiosity
- the ability to take an idea and turn it into action
all as one capability, instead of separate labels.
Why Menturity™ Matters
Menturity™ gives parents, teachers, librarians, schools, youth clubs and community groups a simple way to notice and support the growth that happens outside a classroom test.
A child who whispers on Monday and shouts “I can do it!” on Friday has grown.
A child who jumps their first puddle with courage has grown.
A child who imagines a story and shares it aloud has grown.
That is Menturity™.
What Happens Next
Menturity™ will become a foundation of the Space Ranger Fred universe moving forward.
It will sit quietly in the background, guiding:
- new books
- mission-based activities
- downloadable printable packs
- school and library programmes
- and a future framework to help measure children’s growth in a human-centred way
Nothing becomes more complicated. The stories remain stories. The magic remains magic. But now, the purpose underneath has a name.
A Note on Ownership
This post formally marks the creation and authorship of the word Menturity™, developed by me, Matt Newnham, and used exclusively within the Space Ranger Fred universe. All rights reserved.
Closing Thoughts
Children do not just need information.
They need adventure. Play. Movement. Imagination.
They need space to become capable, confident humans.
That is the mission of Space Ranger Fred – and Menturity™ is how we will describe that mission moving forward.
Thank you for reading.
Thank you for sharing this journey.
And thank you for helping children everywhere – grow.
—
Matt Newnham
Author of the Space Ranger Fred series
www.mattnewnhamauthor.com
