Teaching & Homeschool Articles - Page 6

Christmas and other winter holidays are a fussy time for the majority of people. Almost everybody of us finds ourselves shopping for presents or food, decorating and cleaning the house, and cooking treats. Also, our favorite holiday movies and cartoons are being broadcasted on TV during the winter break, and Christmas books are being reread to jog one's memory.

While the holiday season is at its height, we suggest some holiday-related learning activities your kids can engage in while you’re busy with the final preparations for the holiday dinner and wrapping up presents.

As an ESL teacher, English Literature graduate and an experienced journalist I am incredibly familiar with the English language with all of it’s idiosyncrasies. I understand the extensive conventions that need to be mastered in order to use it fluently - specifically in the written form. I think sometimes, as adults and fluent speakers, we can forget the amount of time and effort it took as youngsters to perfect our written communication skills.

Rhyming poems are popular with pre-schoolers and kindergarteners; they’re playful, they’re interactive, and they help lay a foundation for reading. 

Learning to read is an essential skill that opens the doors to the world of knowledge for children. It allows them to take charge of their learning, become more adaptable and self-sufficient in their academic study, as well as boost their imagination and creativity through exposure to various types of literature. As young students progress through elementary school, their knowledge of specific subjects should increase and deepen to ensure a stronger comprehension of the academic material at each successive grade level. 

Ensuring children develop their handwriting skills is important not just for their educational progress, but also for their ability to express themselves and communicate with others. 

As children grow up, their desire to communicate by mark-making advances, and there are many tools and techniques you can adopt during their early attempts to do so. Whether you are a child’s parent or guardian, caregiver or teacher there are many ways you can support the little writer. Let’s dive into some of them. 

Technological advances made in the past 30 years have changed how the world shops, communicates and works. But just as significant, modern technology has vastly affected education and how parents now help their kids with their homework and growing academically.

Getting a call from school and being informed that your child was bullying someone else would never be any parent’s dream. Learning that your child is possibly a bully may cause mixed emotions, there is disappointment, denial, and guilt. Some parents may blame themselves for this, and some may be in denial because their child is well-behaved at home. Remember that children may act differently at home and at school. Do not assume that you know your child well, be ready to hear other people’s opinions about your kid.

Technology has infiltrated almost every layer of our lives, and our kids are reaping the benefits of access to the newest technology, including instant connection to various types of knowledge, differentiation of instruction, and social learning platforms. While many can agree screen type devices offer positive learning opportunities, parents are left to navigate how much screen time is appropriate for growing children from the ages of 2-10. Risk of lack of physical activity, developing language delays, symptoms of ADHD and sleep disruption can arise if screen time boundaries are not established.

When I was in secondary school, I had a classmate, Rio, who my friends and I didn’t like. She was the smallest in the class, a bit friendly but she was really shy and often alone. She was never part of any group, we never accepted Rio to our circle. One time, our teacher asked us to write an essay, so I grabbed her work and read it to the whole class. Everyone started laughing, and I felt great because we were having fun. However, I never realized what I did to her  —  not until I experienced the same thing, and worse.

Throughout the early years of life, children engage with mathematical concepts in many different ways. They compare quantities, find patterns, build with shapes, and tackle real-life challenges such as counting the number of sleeps till their birthday or sharing cookies fairly with a friend. If you are looking for a way to encourage, support, and advance your child’s learning - we are excited to present an effective and time-saving solution for busy parents!