The gift of knowledge is one of the greatest gifts you could give yourself, or your loved ones. It might sound like a bit of a cliché at first, but if you think about it, what better way is there to live a life of independence, happiness, and fulfilment than expanding your horizons and enriching your memory palace with truly valuable information?
Phonics is a method of teaching children to read by linking sounds (phonemes) and the symbols that represent them (graphemes, or letter groups). Phonics is the learning-to-read method used in primary schools in the UK today.
A phoneme is the smallest unit of sound such as the ‘oo’ in boot or the ‘er’ in writer. The phonemes in the English language are:
The move from school to university is perhaps the biggest step between teenage years
and adulthood. The idea of moving away from home and into an independent lifestyle can be daunting; so much so that many teens don’t manage to see their degree through to the end. So what can parents do to help their son or daughter feel more prepared for things to come?
As a parent, we want to do everything we possibly can to help our child succeed. These could range from you buying them warm clothes to choosing the best schools; there’s little we wouldn’t do to ensure their success.
Finding a suitable nursery for your child can be challenging and sometimes stressful, especially if you are a first-time parent. Selecting a perfect nursery will assure that your kids continue to blossom, and develop socially, emotionally and physically. However, some parents may prefer their children spend time with them at home or with a nanny, which is also a good choice.
There are many ways through which you can research on the right nursery for your child, including looking for them online or contacting your local children’s information service, to get the best list of preschools in your area. Alternatively, you can look for advice from other parents or friends in your location, to see whether they can recommend excellent nurseries for your toddler. You can look online at an example of a good nursey, such as paintpotsnurseries.co.uk, to find out what qualities you are looking for. However, you should be cautious when basing your selection on other parents’ ideas because every child is different, and what seems right for their offspring may not be suitable for your kid.
In some cases, it is also important if you would select a particular junior school to recommend a nursery for you because; for instance, some admission rules restrict some institutions from admitting children from certain preschools, maybe because of discipline or bad behaviors.
After identifying several nurseries, it is time to pay a visit to these preschools to see whether they meet your desires. Besides, you can get answers to questions, such as the opening hours, the age bracket, of which they admit the children, the costs, or the number of kids they accommodate per room.
First, you should visit the preschools alone to focus keenly on details, such as the number of staff in the center, the condition of the children, and hygiene. As young children tend to be more susceptible to infectious diseases, it is vital to make sure the facilities are often disinfected using advanced cleaning methods (dig this site to know more). On the second visit, accompany your child with you to identify how he or she reacts to the new environment or interact with other kids in the nursery. It is advisable that you visit the place most often and at different times of the day, to get a dependable report on the nursery.
Registration to the preschool is also important as most nurseries get booked months earlier before the parent gets the child. Placing your reservation early saves you time, resources, and prevents you from making unsuitable choices due to desperate searching for an excellent childcare facility.
Some children require extra attention; for instance, toddlers with hearing or sight impairment, and a good nursery should be able to provide special facilities for the kids. The setting to place your child will depend on the severity and the condition of her son’s or daughter`s disability. Luckily, there are nurseries specifically established for children requiring particular attention, and most of them are inviting parents to be taught the right way to handle, communicate and feed the babies.
Other Tips When Selecting a Nursery for Your Child
Another important aspect you need to consider is the condition of the building in the centre; they should be safe, warm and inviting to the kids. Facilities such as tables, equipment and lavatories should encourage independence toward the children, and the management should display pictures which direct the offspring, where certain things, for example, toys should be kept. The rooms should be well ventilated, and the nursery should have an outdoor play area.
The characters of staffs in the nursery will have a significant impact on the children because they are the ones spending most of the time with them. Workers appropriately dressed and those who genuinely like interacting with the kids are your best choice as some childcare centres have employees only chasing money and have no passion towards the babies.
In any setting, the parent should also consider the curriculum of the preschool of which he or she intends to take the child. They should also ask themselves whether they are looking for a nursery only to provide childcare for a few hours a day or are a place of learning, to experience for their children. Some parents may opt the responsibilities of coaching their young ones from home, then take them to a nursery to acquire additional simulations and socialisation needs. However, most parents consider preschools as the best places to gain intellectual, physical and social stimulus.
We want our children to learn as many skills as possible. But how can we make learning these new skills exciting? Below are a few tips and tricks on how to make learning a new skill exciting for your tot.
Learning to swim? Talk to the fishes!
Pretend like there are fishies in the pool! Practice talking to them by encouraging your child to blow bubbles into the water, then ask them to put their ear into the water to ‘listen’ to the fishies response. Obviously, your kids might love playing in bubbles and as a parent, you may have even invested in the Best Refillable Bubble Solution for them. Taking that interest of theirs, you can make their bathing time also fun by playing with bubbles along them.
This is teaching breath control, which is the very first step in teaching your kid to swim on their own. Swallowing water can be frightening to a child, so make sure you are encouraging them to submerge their face and blow bubbles to help them get comfortable with the feeling of the water around them. Make sure when you submerge and resurface you have a smile on your face – your child will be much more excited to try this on their own if they see how much fun you are having!
Learning a new language? Take a shot at flashcards!
Flashcards are a really great resource to have to teach your child a new language. You can present, practice and recycle the vocabulary. You could use them for memory games for example – put the cards in a circle and give your child one minute to memorise as much as they can. Then turn them over and ask them to tell you which ones they remember. Flashcards come in many languages including English, French, German and Arabic to name a few.
It is also really easy to make your own English Flashcards using templates that you can find online.
Learning A Craft? Try Origami
Origami is a great craft to teach little hands dexterity and following instructions. Start with simple folds like paper planes or boats. Let your child pick fun, bright paper to start with. Sit together and walk through the steps, going slowly. Make a game of counting the folds or singing songs. Praise your child when they complete a model on their own. As they improve, introduce more complex models with valley and mountain folds.
With origami, kids learn sequencing, spatial skills, math concepts and patience. The sense of accomplishment from creating something with their own hands makes origami rewarding and boosts self-confidence. Display finished creations proudly or use them for play. Approaching origami playfully and positively will get your child excited to keep learning this skill.
Want to unlock the magic of numbers? Learn tricks in math!
Discovering the joy of learning can be an exciting journey for children, especially when it comes to acquiring new skills. One fascinating avenue is the world of mathematics, a subject that offers a multitude of variations to explore. From traditional arithmetic to the captivating realms of algebra, geometry, and beyond, math provides an opportunity for young minds to develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. For personalized guidance and support, consider enrolling your child in a reputable math tuition centre. These centers often employ skilled educators who can nurture your child’s mathematical abilities and cultivate a lifelong love for the subject.
Additionally, exploring math in unconventional ways, such as through coding or game design, can further ignite a child’s curiosity. Embrace the adventure of learning, and watch as your child’s confidence in math blossoms.
Learning to read? Let them choose their own book
Kids love to be in control of their lives. Let them choose the books that interest them rather than picking them out for your child. Visit the library and ask your child to pick up a book that they find interesting. You will find that they will be much more excited and eager to read if they think they have made the decision themselves. Once you are done, re visit the library and repeat.
Learning to write? Make a messy alphabet!
Writing is a crucial skill – it will be one that they use throughout their lifetime. But how can you make it fun? There is an early learning method that says it’s beneficial for your child to learn the motions of how to create a letter. Help your child learn the motions of creating each letter in the alphabet – make a messy alphabet together to show your child how to write. Use shaving cream or ketchup, whatever you can find! Spread it on the counter and use your finger to write a letter of the alphabet into it. Ask them to trace the letter you made so that they can feel the movement for themselves and then ask them to try to duplicate the letter in the substance themselves. The idea of making a mess and being allowed to draw in it is very exciting for a young tot!
Whether it’s your child’s first year going to school or it’s just the beginning of another school year along the road to graduation, it’s important to help your child feel prepared for the upcoming year in any way you can. While some kids easily adjust to change and new environments, many children struggle getting their bearings and becoming comfortable in a different place. So to help your child have the best chance of reaching academic success this year, here are three tips for helping your kids prepare for the new school year.
As a parent, it’s normal for you to worry about your child’s health and safety. However, with our financial futures being so heavily impacted by credit scores, many moms and dads are now starting to feel concerned about their child’s credit, too.
With that in mind, at what point can you start building a credit rating for your child?
Start Building a Credit Score for Your Child Today
The answer is as soon as you want to, just as long as you’re comfortable with making them an authorized user on your own credit card. In most cases, to get a loan or credit card, your child will need to be at least 18 years old, but it’s different when you use authorized usership.
Many credit card issuers (check here) won’t have a minimum age requirement for these types of users because they’re not the ones who are responsible for paying the bills.
Therefore, by allowing your child to use your card responsibly, they’ll start to build a good credit history for themselves. Of course, the strength of their credit rating won’t be as good as it would be if they were the sole user, but it’s a great place to start. And, it’s the perfect way to teach them how to use credit cards safely.
If having your toddler as an authorized user on your credit card seems a bit much, you may want to consider co-signing their first credit card instead. This is perfect if, at the age of 18, they’re heading off to college, and you can also co-sign their student loan or car loan.
By co-signing a credit card or loan, your child will be the primary user, so they’re credit rating will build up quickly. However, it’s important to be aware that there are some risks involved in this. If your child doesn’t pay their bills, you’ll be the one who’s responsible for it, so make sure you’re comfortable with this before you proceed.
Deciding if Your Child’s Ready to Start Building Their Credit Rating
As a parent, you’ll know when your child’s ready to do something. So, if you think they’re ready to have their own credit card, get them set up with one. This might be when they start driving, or it might be in case of emergency.
However, if you’re still not sure whether your child is ready for their own credit card, look out for the signs that they might be ready. This includes showing a genuine interest in building a credit score for themselves and showing an ability to spend and save their money wisely. If they know how to manage their money well, and understand how credit cards work, this is a good sign they’ll be able to manage one effectively.
Even though you can help your child build their credit score as soon as you want, it doesn’t mean you should. Instead, it’s important you’ve educated them about money first, before getting them on the right path once they show a good understanding of how money, and credit cards, work.
Being better educated might improve your memory but it does not protect against brain power declining as you age.