Owner @Bright Ideas Tuition

[katnaidoo]

Raising Readers: Teaching reading using the whole word approach.

Hello again all! Today I want to continue our discussion on teaching reading. In my last article, we looked at the phonics method of teaching reading, you can find the video to that on my youtube channel, or the article above. I will post the link at the end of the article.

The next method I'd like to discuss is the whole word approach. It focuses on learning to read words as a whole and recognizing the sound it makes and the patterns the letters make within the word. In my last article, I mentioned that reading is sort of like decoding symbols or letters into sounds and fitting those sounds together to form a word.  The phonetic method does this with individual letters, or groups of letters. The whole word approach does this with the entire word. Children learn to recognise the patterns of words and associate that with sounds. Just like with the phonics method, mastering these symbols and sounds will result in reading fluency.

The whole word approach promotes reading fluency most out of all the methods as it focuses on learning to recognise words as a whole unit instead of sounding out the individual letters which make it up. However, it is still very important for children to be familiar with the phonetic method and know the sounds individual letters make. When they come across a word they have never encountered before, they will need the phonetic method to sound the word out and read the word themselves. The phonetic method will give them some independence if nothing else. Thereafter the whole word approach can be applied.  Think of the whole word approach as a holistic way of teaching reading. Instead of teaching individual pieces, you are teaching the whole.

The whole word approach teaches children to read by sight and memory through repetition. When you teach using this method, I want you to remember the acronym EEM. Eyes. Ears. Mouth. Eyes: Your children need to see the word in it's written form. Ears: They need to hear it in its spoken form. Mouth: They need to practice saying it- Verbal form. These are your three tools when teaching using the whole word approach and should be taught together.

So, how do you teach using this method? You will need flashcards! Flashcards are your friend. They should be used when teaching reading, maths skills, anything and everything! Make, or buy flashcards with simple 2 or 3 letter words on them, try to avoid blends and remember no words ending in e! The words must be printed and should be in large print so that your child can easily see the letters. Do not use words which are all in capital letters as this is not a true representation of how words will look in books and your children will not recognise them. Along with the flashcards, they will need to hear the words read. If you are using a recording, find one with a neutral tone and accent. Alternatively, and a cheaper option, read the words out to your child or make a recording on your phone. Next, ask your child to repeat the word after you. Repetition and memory are key to the whole word approach.  So, the more you practice reading words with your child, the easier it will become for them to recognise and read them. Please also correct pronunciation immediately before a pattern develops and avoid telling your child they are doing/ saying it wrong.  Rather ask them to pay closer attention to the sounds of the word as you are saying it and ask them to repeat it carefully.  If your child is struggling with a particular word and repetition is not working, move on and come back to the word at a later stage.  Your child could become frustrated or feel like they aren't good enough if they continually get the word wrong. This is to be avoided at all costs!

Remember that regardless of what or how you teach, your child needs to feel secure enough to take chances and brave enough to experiment. Mistakes are not failures, they are discoveries that can be corrected!

Until next time, thanks for taking the time!

Kat

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYiWmrmflT2a4ZDQfxVM8eA?view_as=subscriber

[katnaidoo]

Raising Readers: Teaching reading using the phonics method.

When children learn to read they are learning individual sound 'codes' which are represented by letters, or groups of letters. If we view these letters as symbols, then what your child is actually doing by learning to read, and what we do every day, is decoding symbols into sounds and putting them together to form words. You are doing it right now! When you consider reading this way, it's really very awesome! No other method exploits decoding more than the phonics method. We are all word spies, part of a global decoding society!

So, how do you teach your children to become international word spies using the phonics method? First, we need to understand what exactly the phonics method is. Phonics instruction has to do with studying the sounds of the alphabet so that these sounds can be identified on the page when reading their symbols.  This method of reading will be particularly helpful for children when they are confronted with an unfamiliar word. Using the phonics method they will be able to breakdown the word into its individual sound elements and then put them back together and sound the word out as a whole. By looking at a word and recognizing the symbols (letters) within it your child will also be able to predict, to a degree, what the word will sound like when reading out. This is a very important skill to have as it promotes reading fluency. As your children grow and their vocabulary broadens, they will begin to be able to read longer, more complicated words by looking at the patterns the symbols, or letters create within that particular word.

Before beginning to teach your child to read using this method, they first need to master all 26 letters of the alphabet and their corresponding sounds. It is important to teach both letter names and sounds together. Remember that the sounds letters make are different from the names we have for them! Your child should also be able to recognize letters written down before learning to read. So to summarize, before learning to read your child should know letter names, the phonics sounds which accompany them as well as what they look like written down. It sounds like a lot, but your children are intelligent and their brains are quick to learn. Teach them and allow them to surprise you! Please remember, however, to always take your child's individual skill level and development into account. They will be able to recognize letters by sight and associate them with their sound long before they learn to write. This, in turn, will help make learning to write easier. Start early. Ensure success.

Once your child is confident with individual letters, start teaching them to blend letters together to form words. 3 – 4 letters max to begin. When you are first teaching your child to read, avoid words ending in e, this is a whole other bag of chips. The 'e'  at the end of many English words is usually silent and changes the pronunciation of the vowel sounds. You want your child to learn to sound all the letters in a word and piece them together. Introducing silent letters at this early stage will only confuse them. Now would also be a good time to teach common blends such as 'sh' 'ch 'and 'wh'. Blends which sound dissimilar to the letters they are made of are important to know.

A good way to teach phonics is to use flashcards.  These must be printed, avoid any curly or fancy fonts. The letters should also be quite large so your child can recognize them with ease. Some letters look very similar in written form, like o and a for example, or u and v. Ensure the letters are large enough for your children to clearly identify differences. Laminating your flashcards or buying laminated ones is a good idea. They will last longer and withstand a bit of manhandling. Show your child the cards individually and sound them out. Then say the letter name. So, for example, if you showed your child the letter A flashcard, you would then say 'ah' (sound) 'ay' said. Point to your ears to show the sound and to your lips to show the name. Once you have done this with all the letters, lay they down face up and say letter names and sounds and have your child locate the correct card.  Break letters down into smaller sets to do at a time for young learners and rotate these groups until your child has mastered all the letters. You can then move on to saying short 2 or three-letter words and asking them to locate the letters they can hear within the word. Then help them put the word together. Remember to use words where each sound can be heard clearly. Words such as dog, mat, hat are good starting points. I hope this helps you in your teaching. Have fun spying! Kat

[katnaidoo]

Raising Readers - The different methods of teaching reading

Hi there everyone,  I want to talk about teaching your young children to read and the different methods available to you as a parent to teach them.  In this article, I'm going to give you a brief overview of each method and what they entail. I will be following up with in-depth articles on each method and how to properly implement them with your child.  

First, let me stress how important it is never to 'force ' your child's milestones and developments. While all parents want their children to be 'ahead', pushing them to develop before they are ready will in the best case cause them to become frustrated and irritable and in the worst-case cause a learning block which can set their development and progress further back. Always remember that every child learns at different rates and that developmental milestones must always be considered flexible age guides. They do not take into account learning difficulties, cognitive special needs, social and economic situations or exposure to content. Having said that, I would encourage you to expose your child to beginner reading activities such as letter and sound association at a young age, however give them adequate time to master new skills.

Early reading can also help your children attain higher grades in school. This has to do the ease at which their brain takes in and process new information. A skill which early reading fosters.

Let's talk about how to actually teach reading. There are a few methods available to you, how you use them will depend on you and how your child responds and learns. Remember that each child is unique and so requires a unique learning style which focuses on an exploits their strengths, while accepting and improving on their weaknesses. There is also nothing wrong with combining more than one method if it means your child is successful and gains confidence. 

1.The phonetic method

This method focuses on learning letter sounds and how those sounds fit together to form words. 

2.The whole word approach

This method focuses on reading the word as a whole and learning recognize the sound words make and the patterns the letters create withing those word.

3.The context support method.

This method uses your child's interests and likes to get them to begin reading.

4.The language experience method

This method uses your child's life experiences to create short stories which they can learn to read.

Always remain flexible and fluid while teaching and allow your children to show you which method/s they enjoy most.In upcoming articles, I will be speaking about each method in more depth as well as giving you guidelines of how to teach each. 

Thank you for taking the time to read. As always, stay safe.

Kat

[katnaidoo]

Bright Ideas

Hi there guys, please check out my latest video on the different learning styles and how to teach them. You can also follow the link to my Tumblr...

[katnaidoo]

[katnaidoo]

Have expectations of your children and allow them to rise to meet them. Let them know what you think they are capable of. However, be realistic and be flexible. You aren't doing anyone any favours expecting your child to fly and then being disappointed when they don't. You aren't raising a bird. Teach them to strive towards a goal, and don't teach them that it's ok not to reach it. Teach them that it's ok not to reach it on their first attempt, or their second. Or their third for that matter. Teach them not to give up, even when it's difficult. That's all success is. Never giving up.

[katnaidoo]

The 7 different learning styles and how to teach them.

Young children, just like teens and adults have different learning styles and will benefit more by having content taught to them using methods which cater to their learning strengths. It is never too early to find out what type of learner your child is or which methods they respond to best. Identifying what type of learner your child is can make your child's schooling 100% easier for them. The responsibility isn't on children to make sure they understand the content. The responsibility is on us to ensure we deliver and teach content in a way that children will understand. Teach right and teach well.

There are 7 accepted learning styles, namely visual, auditory, verbal. physical, logical, social and solitary.  Your child may fit into one, or more of these categories It's important to know which so that you can centre their learning on it.

Visual learners benefit from having pictures, colours, maps, stories and timelines included in their learning. Teach your young child using picture charts, picture stories and flashcards. Allow visual learners to use a whiteboard/ chalkboard to doodle, experiment and practice on. Give them letters and patterns to build with playdough or copy in specific colours and amounts.

Auditory learners like to and will benefit from working with sound and music. Incorporate rhythm in your lessons and give focus on aural content. Play music, softly in the background, to aid concentration. You can help your auditory learner with information recall by teaching new content by sound association. This type of teaching creates a sense memory and will aid them in recalling the information at a later date. Sense memory works with all learning styles, just ensure you are stimulating the correct sense!  Reading to auditory learners and giving them verbal instructions before asking them to complete a task is key. Make recordings for your child of you explaining new work and methods which they can listen to when they need to. They will respond well to this method and retain information better when it is presented this way. You this method to teach new words, solidify new methods and widen vocabulary. Use rhymes and songs to encourage auditory recall and read aloud to your child as much as possible!

Verbal learners benefit most from speaking and writing. Allow children that learn in this way to discuss new content and ideas with you and each other. Encourage then to talk you, and themselves, through new content they have just learned or ideas they are struggling with.  Ask them to repeat the lesson and 'teach' you. This will cement new content for them. This type of learner will benefit from a 'what comes next' story where they can visaulize, verbalize and record in writting if they are able to write. Verbal learners will enjoy dramtizations, so try to incorporate that into your day. Create a scene for you child/ children to act out with you using new vocab they have just learned in conversation.

Physical learners learn through touch, experimentation and experience. These learners need to 'do' to learn and enjoy getting their hands dirty. Allow learning by participation.  You and also use dramatisations for physical learners, the movements will help them recall content. Remember, writing and drawing are also physical activities, and this kind of learner will benefit from the inclusion of these kinds of activities.  Use action and movement to teach math skills such as counting, addition and subtraction. Using flashcards is also a good idea.

Logical learners prefer using logic and reasoning to learn new content. This type of learner will respond well to mathematics and numbers. They also enjoy puzzles and patterns and will appreciate the connections between objects and ideas. This type of learner will follow steps to arrive at an outcome and a logical conclusion. They will enjoy working from lists and instructions. Try to incorporate problem-solving exercises, riddles and brainteasers into logical learners work as much as possible. They will enjoy these types of activities. Teach young children about shapes, spatial awareness, spelling, reading, counting, addition and subtraction using problem-solving exercises and activities. Please remember, that problem solving is a skill that needs to be taught. You can do this by encouraging your children to look at simple problems from all angles and come up with possible solutions for these. Then go through these solutions step by step to see which best solves the problem. Building a puzzle is a problem-solving activity. Anything which requires experimentation and trial and error to achieve an outcome can, within reason, function as a problem-solving activity.

Social learners enjoy being connected to others and will thrive learning in a social environment like a group.  They will also struggle to learn independently or in isolation from others. Giving this type of learner instructions and then leaving them alone to complete these will not work, your social learner will feel isolated and frustrated. Social learners require interaction and feedback to learn and thrive. This learner will prefer to work through problems and ideas in a social setting and will work best within a group dynamic.  Social does not necessarily mean group learning, on one lessons work just as well. The key is that the learner has someone, or many someones to bounce ideas off, get and give feedback and discuss activities and pitfalls. Homeschool reading and playgroups are a great idea for a young social learner! Social learners digest and retain information best by sharing and discussing it. Ask your young social learner questions like, "What do you think?'' or "How would that work?" "Do you think that is a good idea?" Most importantly, social learners require interaction to learn.

Solitary learners are almost the exact opposite of social learners as they prefer to work alone and use self-study techniques. These learners tend to also be more private and independent.  Solitary learners will find it difficult to work with others and concentrate best when left to work in isolation. This type of learner will prefer to develop their problem-solving skills on their own and will, for the most part, not accept offered help until they ask for it themselves.  Social learners enjoy gathering research and evidence gathering, so research projects or exercises are perfect for this type of learner. Please remember that whatever work you present, make sure it is age and developmentally appropriate for your learner/ learners. This type of learner will enjoy working and playing away from others and social isolation should not be cause for concern. Allow your child to work through problems on their own, give them puzzles and number games with patterns they will need to work out. They will enjoy these. Picture riddles are also a great idea.

Sometimes, children will fall into more than one category of learning style. It is important to be aware of and accommodate this as much as possible. Do not force your child into one technique, allow them to explore and discover what suits them best. Your child's learning may also change as they get older, so above all be flexible.   Irrespective of which style fits your child best, they will require support from you, as well as a certain degree of autonomy to figure out the best fit for themselves. Always guide your child, never force. Do not be unbending. Offer solutions, but allow them to also arrive at their own.

Thanks for reading guys. Above all, stay safe and stay home!

[katnaidoo]

Great Ideas for fun inside, or in the sun!

An obstacle course is a great way to keep your kids busy and it can also be A LOT of fun for both kids and parents! You can set up indoors or outside. It can be a movement course or a cognitive play course, or you could even mix it up! Most importantly, HAVE FUN. We could all use some fun at the moment! 

https://playtivities.com/obstacle-courses-for-kids/?fbclid=IwAR087sRyc6zT62iMgxJ-4xg1ApAMtDPjmGrVWgDhzTZsSpjWTOa2QARiBRY

[katnaidoo]

Avoid child stress, and parent stress too, with a structured work timetable!

Hi everyone, In South Africa, our leadership has just extended our lockdown. As I’m aware many countries find themselves in this same position, I’d like to help those parents struggling to structure their children's work timetable. Your kids must keep up with their school work, or any form of learning. Use this time to get ahead of any problems your children may have with content, revise and practice!

First, I'd like us to look at children's age and lesson length. Your child's age will play a large role in how long their lessons will be and how many lessons they will be able to sit through per day. We know that children's ability to concentrate for longer periods increases with age, however, this is also a learned skill. Concentration should be taught and can be at an early age. More on that, however, at a later stage. Let's start with the youngest learners, namely pre-k and kindergarteners. You should aim for about 10- 12 minutes per learning activity, this will allow enough time for tasks to be completed in a timeous manner without your young child feeling rushed or stressed. Please also remember to keep tasks and activities age-related.Young children should start their learning early in the day and require frequent breaks.  Including beaks between learning activities. aim to work for 2.5 to 3 hours a day with your child. Ensure to provide for a 5-minute break between learning activities.

PLEASE do not put time restictions on art activities!

Let's move on to grade R. These learners can spend 15 minutes on each learning activity and are capable of completing a 3-hour workday. Allow frequent breaks and give your child a 5-minute break between learning activities. Don't forget art! Snacktime for pre k and grade R should be after all work has been completed. Please ensure your children have a healthy breakfast before they start working.  Allow toilet breaks whenever necessary, however, use your discretion and try to avoid too many lesson interruptions.

Grades 1, 2 and 3 can spend 15 - 20 minutes on each learning activity. Their work will require more thought and attention to detail, they are also older and should be able to concentrate for at least 15 minutes at a time. This age group is more than capable of navigating a 4.5-hour workday with a 5-minute break between learning activities, as well as a snack break. This should ideally be after the first 2 learning activities have been completed and should last between 10 - 12 minutes. 2 snack breaks are only necessary if you intend for your child to work for more than 4 hours. Try not to work longer though.

High schoolers should be able to work without time restrictions while displaying self-control and good time management skills. However, if your high schooler is struggling with time management, allocate 45 minutes for challenging activities and between 20-30 minutes for easier activities. Use your discretion when deciding on a time and keep your child's abilities, strengths and weaknesses in mind. Allow time for 2 breaks during the workday.

Always remember to give your child the opportunity during their breaks to get up, stretch and move around. Allow them to walk in the garden and get some fresh air!

I hope I've been able to shed some light on structuring a daily timetable. If you need help or have any questions about structuring your child's daily timetable, you can email me at [email protected].

Until next time guys, remember to #stay safe stay home!

[katnaidoo]

[katnaidoo]

Creating the best workspace for your kids at home

Hi everyone, this is my very first post! The first thing I wanted to chat about because I think it is a very universal subject, is setting up a dedicated workspace for your kids at home. Whether your children are attending school, or being homeschooled, they are still going to need a dedicated space for them to work.

First, let's talk about where to set up. The most obvious choice would be your child's bedroom, this should be more of a fall back if you really do not have another option. The reason is that there are just too many distractions in your kid's bedroom and concentrating will require a Herculean effort from them. You want to make getting started as easy as possible for your kids! It’s best to set up their workspace in a separate room, especially if your child struggles with concentration and is distracted easily.

However, many of us don’t have the luxury of a spare room just lying around. Unused. If your choices are limited, it is 100% viable to set up a study space in your child's bedroom. Just remember it needs to be clearly demarcated as a workspace. They cannot study on their bed and will need a desk and chair minimum. Keep the space away from the rest of the activity of the room.  Your child must be able to see the change between work and play.

Create a clutter-free space for your kids to work, or have them create it themselves if they are old enough! Ideally, a space without too many distractions or knick-knacks lying about. However, try not to make the space feel too empty and impersonal. While you want your kids to concentrate, you also want them to feel comfortable and at ease. This will help them achieve good results. Include pictures or posters on the wall, a favourite cushion for them to sit on or a manipulative toy. Make sure all stationary necessary for work is within reach so your child won't have to constantly get up to get something they need.

Manipulative toys are great study aids as they channel frustration and excess energy and provide a controlled outlet for this without hampering concentration. For younger kids, try tying a rubber band around the bottom of the legs of the chair they are sitting on, high enough for them to rest their feet on. The aim is for them to bounce their feet on this band to release excess energy, instead of getting up and moving around or bouncing in their seat. Older children will benefit from playdough or stress balls

The picture above is a great example of a clutter-free worspace set up in your childs room. You could create extr, neat stoarge by lining up or stacking toy boxes against the wall. If you have a lot of ‘stuff’, present it in the most organised way possible. Satioanry can be stored in movable mobiles. This way when your child is working, they can have all they need close at hand, When they are finished, the mobile can simply be rolled out of the way for easy storage. Look at the pictures below as examples of toy and stationary storage.

If you are able to set up your childs workspace outside of their bedroom, pick a space that is away from the main activity of the house. You don’t want your child to hear the phone ring, the doorbell, the TV or people talking. These are going to make concentration near to impossible for them and will probably make them feel annoyed and frustrated. If this happens, your child will not be able to complete any work and it will also not be their fault. Light is another consideration, you need a room that is well lit and has good airflow. A stuffy space with bad lighting can make your child lethargic and sleepy.

Those are my tips for creating not only the best but also the most functional workspace for your child. Please make sure to keep the space age-appropriate and consider your child's needs as well as the outcome you wish to achieve. Keep your kid in the loop and ask for their input and suggestions. They will be working in the space and their preferences should be a consideration.

Thanks for taking the time to read my article, I hope it helps! x Kat.