What I am learning about Chinese is that it is an extremely complex and beautiful language, the more I learn about it the more I shake my fists and go "Why did I choose this language why not something easier?" Well I like a challenge and it is such a different language. Anyway on to the topic.
The really good thing about Chinese is that there are many, many resources to teach Chinese and many websites that help you. Chinese as a language is growing in popularity and as China increases it's economic power knowing the language will become ever more important to our children who may or may not in the future have something to do with China in their chosen careers.
This moves me into the how to teach the language with a huge anount of resources on the net saying my product is the best product to teach Chinese, which one will get the desired result? (My desired result is having my child be able to converse and read the language with an understanding of chinese culture)As I go through this journey with both my girls I will write as honest review as I can on the products I use.
This brings me on to a recent product I bought which to be honest I am not that happy with. It is the My Montessori House Beginners Bilingual Manual for teaching Mandarin Chinese which retails for $39 USD which I paid for. Now I was expecting a manual which actually went through Chinese grammar and how to construct sentences and basically teach you how to teach a little child to be able to speak Chinese. Well this manual falls far short of really teaching anything. It teaches all the the numbers from 1-40 and then goes up in ten by 50,60,70,80,90,100 in simplified Chinese characters and does have the pin yin to be able to pronounce each one and the Chinese characters to go with each number. The Chinese characters are very large and easy to trace.
My biggest gripe and the reason why I bought this manual was to teach my daughter and myself how to construct a sentence in Chinese as well as write a sentence. (My belief is the more you write in the language the more understanding you have of it) While this manual has many of the Chinese characters for basic words such as Mum, Dad, Hello, this, what, good, again, meet, go, not, don't go, etc etc you get the gist. It does not really go in to how to construct a sentence, all the manual does is tell you to basically take the chinese characters out, they them on the floor and mix and match them with your child a 'make your own sentences'.
This particularly annoys me. Learning a language is hard enough when you don't speak the and know very little about the language. To me a language is about getting it right I correct my own daughter when she makes grammatical mistakes in English, so she understands that is not a correct way to speak why would I not want her to speak Chinese correctly to? For me to feel comfortable using this manual to teach Chinese to my DD I would need more information. Its great to say have fun making Chinese sentences but I'm not going to tell you how so you really can't teach anything.
I rate the manual about a 2 out of 10. All it really is, is a bunch of sheets with Chinese characters on it only really good for tracing.
I hope this helps you in the search for good and reliable resources.
Happy Teaching
Kimba
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
My review of My montessori house math DVD
I have recently purchased a DVD set from My Montessori House. A website that sells DVDS and manuals relating to the Montessori way of education. I will review each DVD one by one as I watch them with my DD to give a decent review.
First things first, this is the FIRST DVD that my DD has asked to watch twice since first putting it on to show her. My DD does not like anything to do with maths, numbers or counting. I recently got out a puppet which I have named mathematics owl and she told the owl I don't like numbers, I only like words. So it has been an uphill battle for a long time with maths so when she asked to watch it again I was impressed.
The DVD only goes to ten but covers basic addition and subtraction and teaches what the number 1 actually represents a quantity. I think it presents this concept very well. It does repeat them and go over the quantities several times. This DVD is certainly aimed at children who have not been introduced to numbers and makes sure the concepts are clear and not mixed up. It has no right brain methods there is no flash card concepts. Everything is very methodical and logical in how the information is presented to the child. Which is very Montessori.
It is very different to what I am used to watching with her. It is very slow to go through everything and the graphics are not of high quality and the voices used are a little condescending to the child watching it. The voice to me is a bit high and shrilly but in saying that it works for my child and she does not notice. My dd1 does struggle to sit through the whole DVD but sits through enough to learn what she needs to learn.
My DD2 does not watch she is doing Little Math through brillkids and is enjoying that. My dd2 is only 5 months and this is certainly not the age group this DVD is aimed at. I would certainly be looking at this DVD for an older child (2-3 not any younger than that) and if your child is extremely active I would wait until later to purchase it when they are able to sit still for at least 15-20minutes.
So down to the nitty gritty,
PROS
CONS
Happy Teaching
Kimba
First things first, this is the FIRST DVD that my DD has asked to watch twice since first putting it on to show her. My DD does not like anything to do with maths, numbers or counting. I recently got out a puppet which I have named mathematics owl and she told the owl I don't like numbers, I only like words. So it has been an uphill battle for a long time with maths so when she asked to watch it again I was impressed.
The DVD only goes to ten but covers basic addition and subtraction and teaches what the number 1 actually represents a quantity. I think it presents this concept very well. It does repeat them and go over the quantities several times. This DVD is certainly aimed at children who have not been introduced to numbers and makes sure the concepts are clear and not mixed up. It has no right brain methods there is no flash card concepts. Everything is very methodical and logical in how the information is presented to the child. Which is very Montessori.
It is very different to what I am used to watching with her. It is very slow to go through everything and the graphics are not of high quality and the voices used are a little condescending to the child watching it. The voice to me is a bit high and shrilly but in saying that it works for my child and she does not notice. My dd1 does struggle to sit through the whole DVD but sits through enough to learn what she needs to learn.
My DD2 does not watch she is doing Little Math through brillkids and is enjoying that. My dd2 is only 5 months and this is certainly not the age group this DVD is aimed at. I would certainly be looking at this DVD for an older child (2-3 not any younger than that) and if your child is extremely active I would wait until later to purchase it when they are able to sit still for at least 15-20minutes.
So down to the nitty gritty,
PROS
- Covers each math concept very well
- Repeats the concepts
- Logical in order presents what each number represents (Here is one and shows one thing)
- Has basic addition and subtraction,
- Very methodical makes sure the math concept is understood.
- Fantastic price tag for an educational DVD $15USD plus postage
- Most importantly my child who hates maths asked to watch it twice
CONS
- The quality is not high, graphics are very basic in a cartoon format.
- The voices used are high and shrilly (This annoyed me not my child)
- Only goes to ten does not cover numbers higher than ten
- Very long and slow and my DD can sit for about 20minutes of it although she has taken a lot of the concepts in.
Happy Teaching
Kimba
Friday, May 20, 2011
toilet training what a nightmare!
i have heard lately that if your children don't have the terrible twos they certainly can be worse at three. I am beginning to wonder if that is the case for me. My DD1 is not that far off three and she is becoming the most argumentative, willful, stubborn, have-a-tanti-at-a-drop-of-a-hat child I have ever known.
Toilet training this child has been an absolute nightmare she is so strong-willed that she will fight with you about going to the toilet because she does not want to stop what she is doing. I have asked nicely and taken everything away from her. She knows she has to go and was often taking herself until she went to daycare realised if she argued and refused to go she would get put back in a nappy (diaper) and she could conveniently go whenever she wanted without having to stop what she was doing. So my little DD decided she was going to try this on at home.
This week she has been a pain in the backside having 'accidents' for no other reason other than she can't be bothered. My dd actually sat down and coloured with me she says to me "Mummy I need to do a wee" "Quick go to the toilet" which is two steps from where she was. "NO I WILL NOT GO TO THE POTTY I AM DRAWING" which resulted in a five minute argument to get her on the toilet and then i finally picked her up, pulled her pants down sat her on the toilet and said yelled "YOU WILL GO ON THE POTTY OR NO COLOURING" she went and got off the toilet and said "Mummy I did a wee like a big girl can I have a sticker?' to which with steam coming out of my ears and through gritted teeth I replied "No you can have a sticker when you go to the toilet ALL DAY." I have no idea what goes through their little minds!!!
I just need to vent, this toilet training has been an horrendous experience it has taken my Mum and me to clamp down on her to make her go. Although my DD will do anything for her Nonni. Hopefully tomorrow she will be willing to go.
signing off with one big sigh,
Kimba
Toilet training this child has been an absolute nightmare she is so strong-willed that she will fight with you about going to the toilet because she does not want to stop what she is doing. I have asked nicely and taken everything away from her. She knows she has to go and was often taking herself until she went to daycare realised if she argued and refused to go she would get put back in a nappy (diaper) and she could conveniently go whenever she wanted without having to stop what she was doing. So my little DD decided she was going to try this on at home.
This week she has been a pain in the backside having 'accidents' for no other reason other than she can't be bothered. My dd actually sat down and coloured with me she says to me "Mummy I need to do a wee" "Quick go to the toilet" which is two steps from where she was. "NO I WILL NOT GO TO THE POTTY I AM DRAWING" which resulted in a five minute argument to get her on the toilet and then i finally picked her up, pulled her pants down sat her on the toilet and said yelled "YOU WILL GO ON THE POTTY OR NO COLOURING" she went and got off the toilet and said "Mummy I did a wee like a big girl can I have a sticker?' to which with steam coming out of my ears and through gritted teeth I replied "No you can have a sticker when you go to the toilet ALL DAY." I have no idea what goes through their little minds!!!
I just need to vent, this toilet training has been an horrendous experience it has taken my Mum and me to clamp down on her to make her go. Although my DD will do anything for her Nonni. Hopefully tomorrow she will be willing to go.
signing off with one big sigh,
Kimba
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Letting our children fail or learning to let go
This post should really be called 'learning to let go as a parent so even our tiny tots can fly'.
I recently was doing a workbook with my DD1 which was 'Let cut paper' by Kumon workbooks. I was 'working' on this book with her showing her how to cut each page out correctly and not to make any mistakes. Follow the grey line I kept saying to her and when I saw her go off the Grey line I was quickly taking the scissors out of her hands and showing her how to do the exercise until I heard 'Mummy I want to do it. My scissors' I soon began to realise that I was so afraid of her making a mistake or not cutting it the page correctly I was afraid that she would 'fail' and not get the 'reward' (a nice picture) or half chopped off face picture and be disappointed.
As I took a step back from this little event and realised I was being a hindrance rather than a help. I started to think that I was taking a real opportunity for her to learn away. She was not being able to make the mistake and learn from it or even being allowed to correct herself. She was missing out on a deeper level of learning that making a mistake is okay and as long as I learn from it the world will not fall apart. I had become the all in all HELICOPTER parent one who hovers over their child always there just in case they are about to fall and save the day. Now I know there are situations where you must be there to help, but how often do these situations arise? Is letting them fall every now and then such a bad thing? If we teach them 'okay hon, yes you fell, yes you made a mistake but you have corrected it and learnt from it so you know not to do it again'. Rather than always standing over them in anticipation of them making a mistake and never letting it happen.
I think this is particularly hard for any parent to let go of. We do not want our children to go through pain. We do not want them to fail, so it is a lesson for us to let go and trust the process. and trust that our own child will get it right. Which is easier said than done.When I finally caved and gave my DD1 the scissors back and let her cut out the pictures on her own, I will not forget the beam on her face as she held up the picture of the Tiger she had cut out with its ear missing and proudly held it up to me and said "Look Mummy I cut the picture out all by myself." and to think I could have taken this moment away from her.
My DD1 finally got to the end of that book and with each Kumon book there is a certificate for completion. I could give her that certificate knowing that she had earned it and by the time she got to the end her cutting skills have improved significantly.
From on Humble Mummy to another
Kimba
ps Please note I do not let my child use scissors unsupervised I was in the room when she was using them.
I recently was doing a workbook with my DD1 which was 'Let cut paper' by Kumon workbooks. I was 'working' on this book with her showing her how to cut each page out correctly and not to make any mistakes. Follow the grey line I kept saying to her and when I saw her go off the Grey line I was quickly taking the scissors out of her hands and showing her how to do the exercise until I heard 'Mummy I want to do it. My scissors' I soon began to realise that I was so afraid of her making a mistake or not cutting it the page correctly I was afraid that she would 'fail' and not get the 'reward' (a nice picture) or half chopped off face picture and be disappointed.
As I took a step back from this little event and realised I was being a hindrance rather than a help. I started to think that I was taking a real opportunity for her to learn away. She was not being able to make the mistake and learn from it or even being allowed to correct herself. She was missing out on a deeper level of learning that making a mistake is okay and as long as I learn from it the world will not fall apart. I had become the all in all HELICOPTER parent one who hovers over their child always there just in case they are about to fall and save the day. Now I know there are situations where you must be there to help, but how often do these situations arise? Is letting them fall every now and then such a bad thing? If we teach them 'okay hon, yes you fell, yes you made a mistake but you have corrected it and learnt from it so you know not to do it again'. Rather than always standing over them in anticipation of them making a mistake and never letting it happen.
I think this is particularly hard for any parent to let go of. We do not want our children to go through pain. We do not want them to fail, so it is a lesson for us to let go and trust the process. and trust that our own child will get it right. Which is easier said than done.When I finally caved and gave my DD1 the scissors back and let her cut out the pictures on her own, I will not forget the beam on her face as she held up the picture of the Tiger she had cut out with its ear missing and proudly held it up to me and said "Look Mummy I cut the picture out all by myself." and to think I could have taken this moment away from her.
My DD1 finally got to the end of that book and with each Kumon book there is a certificate for completion. I could give her that certificate knowing that she had earned it and by the time she got to the end her cutting skills have improved significantly.
From on Humble Mummy to another
Kimba
ps Please note I do not let my child use scissors unsupervised I was in the room when she was using them.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
A quick update about my next project (Music)
Well I thought I would let you know that I have gone and bitten the bullet and bought Tuning Forks to teach my kiddly winks perfect pitch!!!
I have thought about this for a long time and because I know nothing about music and can't even read music I would love my girls to learn and discern sound so when they do take a musical instrument I would make it easier for them and also in the hope it will also help them to learn other languages.
This is also taking the plunge right into Right Brain Education and teaching something that I presumed to be something that was God-given and reserved for those who are truly gifted. Since delving into this world of Early Childhood Education and having some of my own jaw dropping moments with my dd1 I have come to realise that little children have the most amazing potential and now that I am a little more converted and a little less sceptical I am willing to try new things and see how they go. I still am skeptical but I will give anything a go once as long as I do not believe that perfect pitch will hurt my children.
I am bit excited as well as a bit apprehensive. I will give you updates a long the way.
Happy Teaching Mummy's
Kimba
I have thought about this for a long time and because I know nothing about music and can't even read music I would love my girls to learn and discern sound so when they do take a musical instrument I would make it easier for them and also in the hope it will also help them to learn other languages.
This is also taking the plunge right into Right Brain Education and teaching something that I presumed to be something that was God-given and reserved for those who are truly gifted. Since delving into this world of Early Childhood Education and having some of my own jaw dropping moments with my dd1 I have come to realise that little children have the most amazing potential and now that I am a little more converted and a little less sceptical I am willing to try new things and see how they go. I still am skeptical but I will give anything a go once as long as I do not believe that perfect pitch will hurt my children.
I am bit excited as well as a bit apprehensive. I will give you updates a long the way.
Happy Teaching Mummy's
Kimba
Sunday, May 8, 2011
How to tackle teaching a second language when you don't speak any other langauges!
Hi Everyone,
It has been a long time since I posted but I am back I have been busy laminating and making flashcards presentations for my little ones and they take a long time to make.
So what have I been doing in this time with my little ones, well I have undertaken the task of introducing a second language. The second language I have chosen is simplified Mandarin Chinese. Why have I taken on this task? You might say I am a glutton for punishment! You would probably be close to right but I was given some DVD's to try by a friend and my Daughter loved them soo much I ended up buying the complete set and I have not looked back.
I also have other reasons for wanting to teach Chinese and it is not the first time this has crossed my mind. I have wanted to teach a second language since DD1 was born but I have always felt daunted by the task as I speak no other languages other than English and even my English could do with some improving at times.
My other reasons for wanting to teach Chinese are
1. It is the world's most spoken language (with over 1Billion people speaking Chinese)
2. They are the world's next economic power and Australia will continue to have a very strong relationship with them and I think for future job prospects of my children it will help if they have an understanding of this language.
3. It is a very different language from our own. Chinese is a tonal language with four main tones and if you get a tone wrong you can change the whole meaning of what you are trying to say. Chinese does not have a lot of words like English does.
4. The Chinese people claim they have the highest rate in the world of people with perfect pitch (The ability to hear a sound a be able to tell what key it is in) I would like to train my daughter's ear especially if they take up music at a later stage.
Any hoo. So now that I have taken on the task of teaching my daughters' Chinese. You may be asking how I am going about this.
As I mentioned before I have bought a DVD set called Baby Learns Chinese (babylearnschinese.com) I have bought the first 6 DVDs and I plan on getting the phonics set later once I know that DD1 has a good understanding of the Chinese language. She loves these DVDs so much that she asks for them all the time and if I am not careful she would gladly sit in front of the t.v. all day and watch them. They have the right balance of cartoon and real life images with children as well as songs to gr child get your child off to a good start. I bought the packs that came with the Flashcards to be honest I think the flashcards could be better made with the simplified characters on the front with the pinyin tones on the back so you could read the card out to the child then have a slide come out of the picture. Except the cards have Simplified Chinese on the front with the pinyin tone (an English translation on how the characters are pronounced) underneath in small writing. Since I am learning myself how to read the characters I find I fall back to reading the pinyin which my daughter sees and she to reads the pinyin instead of the characters.
I have also bought a few Chinese CD's to play to DD1 at night time for her to listen to while going to sleep. She has come out with a few Chinese words not many and I have no idea how much she has taken in but you do need to immerse yourself in a language as much as you can so I continue to keep this up.
I have a digital Flashcard programme called Little Reader (brillkids.com) and I have both the English and the Chinese versions of this programme and she loves it. My DD1 did the English programme and has enjoyed and I have had great results with it. My DD2 is now doing the programme and enjoying it, plus she is being exposed to a lot of Chinese words as well as English to. My DD2 is 5 months old and is too young to see any results yet. The main thing with her is making sure she gets a lot of enjoyment out of it.
Through the power of the Internet I have also started making my own cards and sticking them up around the house in an effort to immerse the kids and myself in Chinese and I hope I will absorb some more Chinese I also find that writing the character myself helps me understand the language so much more.
I have ordered a manual for teaching Chinese to pre-schoolers from My Montessori House (mymontessorihouse.com) I have not received it yet and I am looking forward to using it to teach myself and my DD's more of this fascinating language. I will give a very honest review of the manual once I have had some time to use it.
My results so far. Well, I have to say that My DD1 would easily know 100 Chinese words from the DVDs. She is getting better with the characters but her love of learning this language will help and she is always asking me what is this word in Chinese and what is that word. She also likes to correct my tones when I get it wrong. :)
Well from one Mummy to another.
Good Night, and Happy Teaching
Kimba
It has been a long time since I posted but I am back I have been busy laminating and making flashcards presentations for my little ones and they take a long time to make.
So what have I been doing in this time with my little ones, well I have undertaken the task of introducing a second language. The second language I have chosen is simplified Mandarin Chinese. Why have I taken on this task? You might say I am a glutton for punishment! You would probably be close to right but I was given some DVD's to try by a friend and my Daughter loved them soo much I ended up buying the complete set and I have not looked back.
I also have other reasons for wanting to teach Chinese and it is not the first time this has crossed my mind. I have wanted to teach a second language since DD1 was born but I have always felt daunted by the task as I speak no other languages other than English and even my English could do with some improving at times.
My other reasons for wanting to teach Chinese are
1. It is the world's most spoken language (with over 1Billion people speaking Chinese)
2. They are the world's next economic power and Australia will continue to have a very strong relationship with them and I think for future job prospects of my children it will help if they have an understanding of this language.
3. It is a very different language from our own. Chinese is a tonal language with four main tones and if you get a tone wrong you can change the whole meaning of what you are trying to say. Chinese does not have a lot of words like English does.
4. The Chinese people claim they have the highest rate in the world of people with perfect pitch (The ability to hear a sound a be able to tell what key it is in) I would like to train my daughter's ear especially if they take up music at a later stage.
Any hoo. So now that I have taken on the task of teaching my daughters' Chinese. You may be asking how I am going about this.
I have also bought a few Chinese CD's to play to DD1 at night time for her to listen to while going to sleep. She has come out with a few Chinese words not many and I have no idea how much she has taken in but you do need to immerse yourself in a language as much as you can so I continue to keep this up.
I have a digital Flashcard programme called Little Reader (brillkids.com) and I have both the English and the Chinese versions of this programme and she loves it. My DD1 did the English programme and has enjoyed and I have had great results with it. My DD2 is now doing the programme and enjoying it, plus she is being exposed to a lot of Chinese words as well as English to. My DD2 is 5 months old and is too young to see any results yet. The main thing with her is making sure she gets a lot of enjoyment out of it.
I have ordered a manual for teaching Chinese to pre-schoolers from My Montessori House (mymontessorihouse.com) I have not received it yet and I am looking forward to using it to teach myself and my DD's more of this fascinating language. I will give a very honest review of the manual once I have had some time to use it.
My results so far. Well, I have to say that My DD1 would easily know 100 Chinese words from the DVDs. She is getting better with the characters but her love of learning this language will help and she is always asking me what is this word in Chinese and what is that word. She also likes to correct my tones when I get it wrong. :)
Well from one Mummy to another.
Good Night, and Happy Teaching
Kimba
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Balancing mummy guilt with mummy love
When I speak to other Mummies I often find we end up on the topic of Guilt. With many mum's agonising (myself included) about decisions we make that effect our children and ourselves.
One of the biggest things I come across is feeling that guilt when we want something for ourselves. It could be a simple haircut ("oh but the kids need this or that") or wanting to even better ourselves with furthering our education or even going back to work to further our career which we may have spent 10years working on.
Why do we feel this guilt? I think because we all deep down inside carry an 'ideal' of what a mother should be. The perfect Stay at home mum whose children play happily while she keeps a perfect home and her make up and hair is flawless and has a body die to for. Not to mention her children are always well behaved (Yeah right) Go to bed without an argument, get fab grades in school and the list goes on and on! Not to mention the media who are so quick to blame the parents as soon as the child mucks up.
I believe as parents we want the ABSOLUTE BEST for them. We want to be there for every scraped knee, fall, trip. We also want to be there for the great moments too the moments of triumph and joy. The first steps and first smiles. We feel bad if we have to go back to work and miss these things. So how do we balance the guilt and the love?
My mum answered this question for me when I asked her? You can only do the best you can do with what you have at the time and if you have to work you must take pride in the fact you are providing for your family. You have to sometimes shut out that little guilt monster out of your mind and not let it win because you can end up doing things, (like buying things or letting them get away with bad behaviour because your not around all the time and you don't want the time you are spending with them to be bad) which are far more detrimental in the long term than a time out or just time with mummy or daddy kicking the ball around.
Balancing love and guilt is a bloody hard thing and not always easy to decipher between the emotions. I'm finding out the hard way by being in the middle of something with dd1 and giving in and then thinking I gave in because I feel guilty about losing my temper and yelling at her when I probably could have handled the situation better. Sometimes I feel as if I am between a rock and a hard place. (sigh)
I think us parents need to know that we are doing our best and we are giving them the best and that is unconditional love and our time. Remember that guilt is a useless emotion and (try) aimed at me) to not let it win too often.
Kimba xx
.
One of the biggest things I come across is feeling that guilt when we want something for ourselves. It could be a simple haircut ("oh but the kids need this or that") or wanting to even better ourselves with furthering our education or even going back to work to further our career which we may have spent 10years working on.
Why do we feel this guilt? I think because we all deep down inside carry an 'ideal' of what a mother should be. The perfect Stay at home mum whose children play happily while she keeps a perfect home and her make up and hair is flawless and has a body die to for. Not to mention her children are always well behaved (Yeah right) Go to bed without an argument, get fab grades in school and the list goes on and on! Not to mention the media who are so quick to blame the parents as soon as the child mucks up.
I believe as parents we want the ABSOLUTE BEST for them. We want to be there for every scraped knee, fall, trip. We also want to be there for the great moments too the moments of triumph and joy. The first steps and first smiles. We feel bad if we have to go back to work and miss these things. So how do we balance the guilt and the love?
My mum answered this question for me when I asked her? You can only do the best you can do with what you have at the time and if you have to work you must take pride in the fact you are providing for your family. You have to sometimes shut out that little guilt monster out of your mind and not let it win because you can end up doing things, (like buying things or letting them get away with bad behaviour because your not around all the time and you don't want the time you are spending with them to be bad) which are far more detrimental in the long term than a time out or just time with mummy or daddy kicking the ball around.
Balancing love and guilt is a bloody hard thing and not always easy to decipher between the emotions. I'm finding out the hard way by being in the middle of something with dd1 and giving in and then thinking I gave in because I feel guilty about losing my temper and yelling at her when I probably could have handled the situation better. Sometimes I feel as if I am between a rock and a hard place. (sigh)
I think us parents need to know that we are doing our best and we are giving them the best and that is unconditional love and our time. Remember that guilt is a useless emotion and (try) aimed at me) to not let it win too often.
Kimba xx
.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Teach your child music and end up with a happy adult!
I have been doing a lot of research into the benefits of teaching music in early childhood and the wonderful effects music has on learning academically as well as socially?
I have come across this fantastic BBC website which has some great bullet points about the benefits of music. Music and it benefits have been highly researched at the results are in, Please read below some of the benefits Music has
from http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/parents/yourchild/why_musicmatters.shtml
I also read an interesting statistic that 33% of all Medical Doctors have had some form of formal music training as a child. Whether that be a musical instrument or singing instruction. Music should be brought back in to be a part of the everyday curriculum in schools and Early Childhood Centres. Let's expect the best for our children.
I have come across this fantastic BBC website which has some great bullet points about the benefits of music. Music and it benefits have been highly researched at the results are in, Please read below some of the benefits Music has
from http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/parents/yourchild/why_musicmatters.shtml
| Why Music Matters Music benefits every aspect of development | ||||
 | Music is catching. Soon after my child took up playing the piano, I took up the violin. |  | ||
| Harry Bisham, Parent | ||||
| Music helps us to make sense of the world. Through sound we can give an expressive shape to our experience. It is a pleasure and a joy for its own sake. The National Curriculum for music says, "As an integral part of culture, past and present, it helps pupils understand themselves and relate to others, forging important links between the home, school and the wider world." Recent research emphasises the benefits of learning music:
| ||||
| ||||
I also read an interesting statistic that 33% of all Medical Doctors have had some form of formal music training as a child. Whether that be a musical instrument or singing instruction. Music should be brought back in to be a part of the everyday curriculum in schools and Early Childhood Centres. Let's expect the best for our children.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Right brain education the future or quackery? part 3
Right Brain education for babies and toddlers really is the future. The more I read about the latest research about the brain and young children and what they are capable of doing the more I want to do right brain education with my own tots.
I am learning so much because RB Ed. is soo gentle and not forceful like school can be. You teach to where your child is at and you follow their lead. So I thought I would post how to determine where your child is at and how to teach where they are at. The Tweedlewink course is also about respecting where the child is at so if you have a two year old who is extremely active and can't sit still at all for a lesson their are many ways which you can teach to that.
The Stages from RBkids Tweedlewink course
Prenatal
Characteristics: Developing inside the womb, can hear outside noises from 5 months. The baby thoughts and feelings are intimately linked with the mother and brain development is rapid.
Communication Loving thoughts from mother. Lots of tummy rubs, singing, reading, play some audio books and you can add foreign language cds. RB Input 100%
Newborn 0-9mnths
Characteristics: Dependent upon mother, highly sensitive to emotional and physical environment, developing outer senses and brain developing quickly absorbing all information. Preparing for mobility.
Communication: Flashcard lesson corner, Lots of Black and White Stimulation cards, mobile and at the change table, Nice soft pure materials, Tummy time and opportunities to crawl. Lots and lots of love and hugs and loving people.
Infant 10-18months
Characteristics Developing fine and gross motor skills actively mobile, imitating sounds and actions. Curious about environment and eager to explore, building communication skills.
Communication: Sign language, narration, teaching words for feelings, lots of praise, flash cards, posters, play areas, play mats, large toys, low shelves lots of climbing, jumping and walking opportunities.
Infant Toddler 19-27months
Characteristics Moving and communicating, exploring and wanting independence, matching, responds to instructions, enjoys pretend play, limited ability to focus (up to 15min) able to hold a pencil,
Communication: Add steps for sink independence,(teeth brushing and hand washing) supervise sand and water play, craft learning table, reading corner, small table and chairs, chalk board, labelled shelves and draws, outside play pretend play. Ask questions support creative and logical response.
Toddler 28-36months
Characteristics. Speaks and Understands well, beginning counting, beginning to read letters and basic phonic sounds draws shapes and pictures can focus for approx 20minutes.
Communication: Continue to ask questions, mostly same as above but create parent/child work areas to teach practical life skills, such as cleaning/cooking, baking and carpentry.
Pre-School 3-6 years.Characteristics Reads letters and words, understands basic maths concepts (adds and subtracts) organises material mentally (match sequence multiply) expresses imagination, expresses independent ideas. can focus up to 30minutes.
Communication, Memory games, continue to ask questions and support creative and logical answers, Learn more about the wink program.
The above age groups is a guide only if your child is say 29months but still expresses characteristic of the Infant-toddler stage than teach to the stage they are in not the age group. RB ed is about a gentle approach and following your child rather than pushing them along. Respect where they are at and trust in the fact that all the info is going in. I know I am continually surprised by my dd and her knowledge all the time.
Good luck to all you dedicated parents out there. I can not highly recommend this course enough I learnt soo much. Even a few little tricks to. Worth doing and not expensive either.
Kim
I am learning so much because RB Ed. is soo gentle and not forceful like school can be. You teach to where your child is at and you follow their lead. So I thought I would post how to determine where your child is at and how to teach where they are at. The Tweedlewink course is also about respecting where the child is at so if you have a two year old who is extremely active and can't sit still at all for a lesson their are many ways which you can teach to that.
The Stages from RBkids Tweedlewink course
Prenatal
Characteristics: Developing inside the womb, can hear outside noises from 5 months. The baby thoughts and feelings are intimately linked with the mother and brain development is rapid.
Communication Loving thoughts from mother. Lots of tummy rubs, singing, reading, play some audio books and you can add foreign language cds. RB Input 100%
Newborn 0-9mnths
Characteristics: Dependent upon mother, highly sensitive to emotional and physical environment, developing outer senses and brain developing quickly absorbing all information. Preparing for mobility.
Communication: Flashcard lesson corner, Lots of Black and White Stimulation cards, mobile and at the change table, Nice soft pure materials, Tummy time and opportunities to crawl. Lots and lots of love and hugs and loving people.
Infant 10-18months
Characteristics Developing fine and gross motor skills actively mobile, imitating sounds and actions. Curious about environment and eager to explore, building communication skills.
Communication: Sign language, narration, teaching words for feelings, lots of praise, flash cards, posters, play areas, play mats, large toys, low shelves lots of climbing, jumping and walking opportunities.
Infant Toddler 19-27months
Characteristics Moving and communicating, exploring and wanting independence, matching, responds to instructions, enjoys pretend play, limited ability to focus (up to 15min) able to hold a pencil,
Communication: Add steps for sink independence,(teeth brushing and hand washing) supervise sand and water play, craft learning table, reading corner, small table and chairs, chalk board, labelled shelves and draws, outside play pretend play. Ask questions support creative and logical response.
Toddler 28-36months
Characteristics. Speaks and Understands well, beginning counting, beginning to read letters and basic phonic sounds draws shapes and pictures can focus for approx 20minutes.
Communication: Continue to ask questions, mostly same as above but create parent/child work areas to teach practical life skills, such as cleaning/cooking, baking and carpentry.
Pre-School 3-6 years.Characteristics Reads letters and words, understands basic maths concepts (adds and subtracts) organises material mentally (match sequence multiply) expresses imagination, expresses independent ideas. can focus up to 30minutes.
Communication, Memory games, continue to ask questions and support creative and logical answers, Learn more about the wink program.
The above age groups is a guide only if your child is say 29months but still expresses characteristic of the Infant-toddler stage than teach to the stage they are in not the age group. RB ed is about a gentle approach and following your child rather than pushing them along. Respect where they are at and trust in the fact that all the info is going in. I know I am continually surprised by my dd and her knowledge all the time.
Good luck to all you dedicated parents out there. I can not highly recommend this course enough I learnt soo much. Even a few little tricks to. Worth doing and not expensive either.
Kim
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Motherhood as a career choice?
I often get asked the question "So, when are you returning to work?" At the moment I answer sheepishly in Novemeber. I really don't want to go back at the moment by dream is to be at home with my two girls until they start school. It often surprises me that I feel this way, I never thought as a modern woman, especially one who grew up in a household of a very successful career woman for a mother that I would want to be at home with them rather than be in the work force even if it is just part time.
Motherhood even with its up and downs and days with defiant two year olds I couldn't think of a palce I would rather be. I know that being at home is not glamourous, there are no designer outfits here, no one to say your doing a great job, no one to comfort you when you are brought to tears by your two year old but the rewards are endless and I know that I have built something with my girls a bond that is so strong and that is priceless.
Now I know that this is not a choice every woman has. Some women want to return to work and that is fine this is not a place I will ever degrade another woman's choice. One must do what is right for them and some woman are tremendously better mothers when they are not at home all the time. Some don't have a choice and must return for financial reasons.
So why would I choose Motherhood as a career? Because it is the best job in the world and also the most challenging. You must be always one step ahead. You must be ready to zig when they zag and vice versa. You still have to keep going even if you feel like shit and the best thing of all is you get to teach them stuff. I love nothing more than playing silly sentences with my DD1 and reading the sentences and giggling away together. Or doing a flashcard lesson and hearing the words more, more Mummy. Being utterly amazed by the ever changing person that they are coming. Having my 3 month old smile her little face off when I give her a flashcard lesson or sing her Alouette. I love the bond that this builds and I feel privileged to be a part of it.
I may never reach the heights of a CEO of a major corporation like I used to dream when I was a teen but in my eyes I am the CEO of my household and the position of mother deserves all the accolades and respect given to any CEO and the responsibility I carry far out weighs one.
This post is to all the mothers out there those who sacrifice on a daily basis, those who say no and have the argument with the child than giving in and saying yes. Those who still battle the work force when they don't want to. Those mothers who are in the workforce who after work get in the car rush home than ferry their children to countless sporting commitments or friends place or sit down and go through homework even when they are dog tired. You have my utmost respect you truly work the hardest job in the world go and pat yourself on the back and go buy yourself something nice without feeling guilty because you've earnt it.
Kimba xx
Motherhood even with its up and downs and days with defiant two year olds I couldn't think of a palce I would rather be. I know that being at home is not glamourous, there are no designer outfits here, no one to say your doing a great job, no one to comfort you when you are brought to tears by your two year old but the rewards are endless and I know that I have built something with my girls a bond that is so strong and that is priceless.
Now I know that this is not a choice every woman has. Some women want to return to work and that is fine this is not a place I will ever degrade another woman's choice. One must do what is right for them and some woman are tremendously better mothers when they are not at home all the time. Some don't have a choice and must return for financial reasons.
So why would I choose Motherhood as a career? Because it is the best job in the world and also the most challenging. You must be always one step ahead. You must be ready to zig when they zag and vice versa. You still have to keep going even if you feel like shit and the best thing of all is you get to teach them stuff. I love nothing more than playing silly sentences with my DD1 and reading the sentences and giggling away together. Or doing a flashcard lesson and hearing the words more, more Mummy. Being utterly amazed by the ever changing person that they are coming. Having my 3 month old smile her little face off when I give her a flashcard lesson or sing her Alouette. I love the bond that this builds and I feel privileged to be a part of it.
I may never reach the heights of a CEO of a major corporation like I used to dream when I was a teen but in my eyes I am the CEO of my household and the position of mother deserves all the accolades and respect given to any CEO and the responsibility I carry far out weighs one.
This post is to all the mothers out there those who sacrifice on a daily basis, those who say no and have the argument with the child than giving in and saying yes. Those who still battle the work force when they don't want to. Those mothers who are in the workforce who after work get in the car rush home than ferry their children to countless sporting commitments or friends place or sit down and go through homework even when they are dog tired. You have my utmost respect you truly work the hardest job in the world go and pat yourself on the back and go buy yourself something nice without feeling guilty because you've earnt it.
Kimba xx
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Just a little busy this week will be back next week with another blog
Hi everyone.
This week i'm a little flat out organising my DD2 Christening. Plan on being back next week with some blog updates.
Kimxx
This week i'm a little flat out organising my DD2 Christening. Plan on being back next week with some blog updates.
Kimxx
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
What Adults can learn from Kids
A very interesting talk by Child Prodigy Adora Svitak. Funny with some intriguing ideas.
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/adora_svitak.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/adora_svitak.html
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Right brain education the future or quackery? part 2
Hi Everyone,
I have just completed Module 2 of the Tweedlewink overview course. Module 2 concentrated on the Tweedlewink formula which is 6 Senses + 6 Stages = 12 Techniques.
The stages are:
Prenatal
Newborn
Infant
Infant-toddler
Toddler
Preschool
The Senses Are
Sight
sound
touch
taste
smell
thought/feelings
12 techniques
Love
Image
Flash
Listen
Talk
Track
Move
Think
Draw
Do
Read
Fly (Graduate to the wink program)
What I gathered the most from this Module is the importance of the parent/child relationship when it comes to this early learning program. If your relationship with your child is very tense or the other relationship's within the household are tense no matter what you try to teach or do it will not work. It is also important the reasons why you want to teach your child an early learning program as well? Are you hoping to make a child genius or wanting to build a better bond with your child? If your motives for teaching are not right your child and you will end up having a horrible time together because they will sense that your motives for being with them do not come from a place of love and yes they do pick up on this just hold a baby when you are very upset and see what happens. The baby will become upset to.
The Right Brain is the emotional brain and responds to a calm and loving environment and is at its optimum when it is relaxed. The right brain is able to take loads and loads of information not in sequential or logical order which is why you can use flashcards of many different varieties the right brain can take it all in and the left brain will put it in order later. A Right Brain programme is gentle, not forceful which many of us can recall being made to sit down in a classroom and learn something totally useless or not want to learn something. Which is why I think a gentle no testing your child programme that works is hard to fathom and I know that I have had a hard time with some of the concepts but I also have read up on the two different hemispheres and what each hemisphere is responsible for and what this course is saying does make sense.
Time to talk about the techniques:
1. Love ( Images of thought and emotion)
2. Image (Hold the highest image of your child and their future happiness)
3. Flash (High quality visual images)
4. Listen (High quality Audio classical music, world music languages)
5 Talk (talk to your child about what is going on)
6. Track (Visual movement)
7. Move (Exercise)
8. Think (Matching, Sorting, Sequencing)
9. Draw (Writing and Drawing)
10. Do (Purposeful Play)
11 Read (Early Reading skills)
12. Fly (To the wink programme)
The 6 Senses relate to learning styles. Now if you are teaching a newborn then they are less likely to have developed a learning style but if you have an infant/toddler toddler or preschooler your child might have developed a distinct learning style. ( I will go into how to determine your child's learning style later in part 3)
Sight = Visual
Sound = Auditory
Touch = Tactile (kinesthetic)
Taste = Tactile
Smell = Tactile
Thoughts/Feelings Energy Sensitive.
How do each of the techniques relate to the brain
The first four techniques relate to the optimum development of the Right Brain it needs love, positive images from the people that love him/her around the child. High quality visual input through flashcards, picture books and posters. Last but not least High Quality audio input which can be through book reading, languages classical music or any other calming music.
The next three a Corpus Collusem builders. The Corpus Collusum is the band of fibres that connect the right and left brain. These nerves relay information back and forth between the right and left hemisphere. Healthy left and right communication occurs through these techniques
5. Talk Speak to your baby.
6. Track - Visual tracking doing eye exercises with the baby holding an object and moving it left and right, up and down and in circles.
7. Move Exercise (exercises that cross over the mid line of your body. Touch your left hand to your right foot and vice versa, crossing arms over chest first left over right then right over left.
The next four are a foundation for optimum left brain development.
8. Think, Matching games, sorting games and sequencing games,
9. Draw Showing and interest in writing and drawing pictures such as a person with legs and arms.
10. Do Purposeful play. Pretend to cook, look after a dolly, build things with a work bench.
11. Early reading: Able to sound out words phonetically 'g' 'o' go or 'c' 'a' 't' cat
understands alphabet maybe able to read a few words e.g I like apples.
Well I hope this has got some of you thinking about using Right Brain Education with your children I will be going on with part 3 very soon
Kimba,
The above information comes from the Tweedlewink overview course by Pamela Hicken if you would like to know more please visit the website http://www.rightbrainkids.com/
I have just completed Module 2 of the Tweedlewink overview course. Module 2 concentrated on the Tweedlewink formula which is 6 Senses + 6 Stages = 12 Techniques.
The stages are:
Prenatal
Newborn
Infant
Infant-toddler
Toddler
Preschool
The Senses Are
Sight
sound
touch
taste
smell
thought/feelings
12 techniques
Love
Image
Flash
Listen
Talk
Track
Move
Think
Draw
Do
Read
Fly (Graduate to the wink program)
What I gathered the most from this Module is the importance of the parent/child relationship when it comes to this early learning program. If your relationship with your child is very tense or the other relationship's within the household are tense no matter what you try to teach or do it will not work. It is also important the reasons why you want to teach your child an early learning program as well? Are you hoping to make a child genius or wanting to build a better bond with your child? If your motives for teaching are not right your child and you will end up having a horrible time together because they will sense that your motives for being with them do not come from a place of love and yes they do pick up on this just hold a baby when you are very upset and see what happens. The baby will become upset to.
The Right Brain is the emotional brain and responds to a calm and loving environment and is at its optimum when it is relaxed. The right brain is able to take loads and loads of information not in sequential or logical order which is why you can use flashcards of many different varieties the right brain can take it all in and the left brain will put it in order later. A Right Brain programme is gentle, not forceful which many of us can recall being made to sit down in a classroom and learn something totally useless or not want to learn something. Which is why I think a gentle no testing your child programme that works is hard to fathom and I know that I have had a hard time with some of the concepts but I also have read up on the two different hemispheres and what each hemisphere is responsible for and what this course is saying does make sense.
Time to talk about the techniques:
1. Love ( Images of thought and emotion)
2. Image (Hold the highest image of your child and their future happiness)
3. Flash (High quality visual images)
4. Listen (High quality Audio classical music, world music languages)
5 Talk (talk to your child about what is going on)
6. Track (Visual movement)
7. Move (Exercise)
8. Think (Matching, Sorting, Sequencing)
9. Draw (Writing and Drawing)
10. Do (Purposeful Play)
11 Read (Early Reading skills)
12. Fly (To the wink programme)
The 6 Senses relate to learning styles. Now if you are teaching a newborn then they are less likely to have developed a learning style but if you have an infant/toddler toddler or preschooler your child might have developed a distinct learning style. ( I will go into how to determine your child's learning style later in part 3)
Sight = Visual
Sound = Auditory
Touch = Tactile (kinesthetic)
Taste = Tactile
Smell = Tactile
Thoughts/Feelings Energy Sensitive.
How do each of the techniques relate to the brain
The first four techniques relate to the optimum development of the Right Brain it needs love, positive images from the people that love him/her around the child. High quality visual input through flashcards, picture books and posters. Last but not least High Quality audio input which can be through book reading, languages classical music or any other calming music.
The next three a Corpus Collusem builders. The Corpus Collusum is the band of fibres that connect the right and left brain. These nerves relay information back and forth between the right and left hemisphere. Healthy left and right communication occurs through these techniques
5. Talk Speak to your baby.
6. Track - Visual tracking doing eye exercises with the baby holding an object and moving it left and right, up and down and in circles.
7. Move Exercise (exercises that cross over the mid line of your body. Touch your left hand to your right foot and vice versa, crossing arms over chest first left over right then right over left.
The next four are a foundation for optimum left brain development.
8. Think, Matching games, sorting games and sequencing games,
9. Draw Showing and interest in writing and drawing pictures such as a person with legs and arms.
10. Do Purposeful play. Pretend to cook, look after a dolly, build things with a work bench.
11. Early reading: Able to sound out words phonetically 'g' 'o' go or 'c' 'a' 't' cat
understands alphabet maybe able to read a few words e.g I like apples.
Well I hope this has got some of you thinking about using Right Brain Education with your children I will be going on with part 3 very soon
Kimba,
The above information comes from the Tweedlewink overview course by Pamela Hicken if you would like to know more please visit the website http://www.rightbrainkids.com/
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Praise Effort not I.Q.
Recently I read a very interesting book on which talked about a study done on children where half were praised for the effort they put into something and the other half were praised on being clever and bright. Each group of children were given progressively harder problems to solve. The children who were praised for effort would give each problem a go the children who were praised for IQ were 10 times more likely to give up because they believed they were already bright and had reached the top. When presented with a tougher problem did not want to try because of fear of failure and could not bring themselves to even try to solve the problem believing that if it did not come easy to them that they wee incapable of solving it.
It is interesting because the children who were praised for IQ believed that their smartness came from an innate ability that they had. If they could not solve the problem straight of the top of their head it meant that they were no longer smart. All they had to do is encounter a few problems difficult to solve or make a few mistakes and whamo they gave up. This is called fixed-mindset praise and children who are exposed to this,
1) Believe that success is due to an innate ability that they have, and begin to believe that any mistakes they make are failures. Not because of lack of effort but lack of ability
2) Want to appear smart to the people that have told them so rather then be involved in what they are actually learning (e.g cares more about passing the test than what is actually being taught)
3) Are less likely to ask for help, less likely to want to make an effort because the fear of failure and not looking smart to others becomes the child's greatest fear.
Now I know as a parent I have to constantly be on guard to not say to dd1 Oh, you are so clever. I have to say Wow look what you did, you put a lot of effort into that. Oh, good job DD you worked really hard on that card for Daddy. There are many a times where I say your so clever, and I think oops better praise the effort next time. Sometimes as a parent you have so much going on in your day that it is easy to slip up.
What I try an remember is that by praising the effort that she makes I am giving her a "Growth Mind-Set" and if she does fail at something she is more likely to "Get back up on the horse" and try again. They do not mull over their mistakes they shrug it off and try again. They are more likely to give something harder a go because their effort is praised not their intelligence because they realise that if they give something ago and fail it is not the end of the world.
It is also not surprising that the children who are praised for effort do better as adults to. They adjust more quickly from their failures and are able to move on.
So remember the next time little Johnny or Suzy do something that surprises you praise the effort that they put in to it. You will be giving the a brain boosting gift that will last a lifetime.
Kimba
Most of the above information came from the book Brain Rules for baby by John Medina. I highly recommend this book. A book that recommends a man pick up a vacuum cleaner wins to help his partner win hands down for me.
It is interesting because the children who were praised for IQ believed that their smartness came from an innate ability that they had. If they could not solve the problem straight of the top of their head it meant that they were no longer smart. All they had to do is encounter a few problems difficult to solve or make a few mistakes and whamo they gave up. This is called fixed-mindset praise and children who are exposed to this,
1) Believe that success is due to an innate ability that they have, and begin to believe that any mistakes they make are failures. Not because of lack of effort but lack of ability
2) Want to appear smart to the people that have told them so rather then be involved in what they are actually learning (e.g cares more about passing the test than what is actually being taught)
3) Are less likely to ask for help, less likely to want to make an effort because the fear of failure and not looking smart to others becomes the child's greatest fear.
Now I know as a parent I have to constantly be on guard to not say to dd1 Oh, you are so clever. I have to say Wow look what you did, you put a lot of effort into that. Oh, good job DD you worked really hard on that card for Daddy. There are many a times where I say your so clever, and I think oops better praise the effort next time. Sometimes as a parent you have so much going on in your day that it is easy to slip up.
What I try an remember is that by praising the effort that she makes I am giving her a "Growth Mind-Set" and if she does fail at something she is more likely to "Get back up on the horse" and try again. They do not mull over their mistakes they shrug it off and try again. They are more likely to give something harder a go because their effort is praised not their intelligence because they realise that if they give something ago and fail it is not the end of the world.
It is also not surprising that the children who are praised for effort do better as adults to. They adjust more quickly from their failures and are able to move on.
So remember the next time little Johnny or Suzy do something that surprises you praise the effort that they put in to it. You will be giving the a brain boosting gift that will last a lifetime.
Kimba
Most of the above information came from the book Brain Rules for baby by John Medina. I highly recommend this book. A book that recommends a man pick up a vacuum cleaner wins to help his partner win hands down for me.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
The impact of early education on future generations
I was watching a talk on Ted the other night when one of the talks really struck a chord with me. The lady was speaking of a very good friend who was part of a Native American Tribe. She said when the Elders of a tribe went to make a major decision that would affect the tribe today they would meditate on how the decision would effect 7 Generations to come as they understood while they a the stewards of the earth while they are here the future generations would inherit the earth from them and have to live with the decision that they have made today.
So, how does the decision of many parents today to educate their babies and toddlers impact the future generations to come. I have wondered about this over the past couple of days. I thought well the chance that my children will then go on to teach their own children is quite high as they will hopefully see the benefit of being taught to read and do maths early.
Will they have a deeper compassion and understanding for others as they have been exposed or taught 2nd or 3rd languages at home and therefore understand others from different cultures by being able to converse with them or at least understand what they are saying.
Will the emergence of these children whose parents have taught them at an early age push the government/child care centres to think about education in a completely new and different way. Could we teach children to read at a younger age and start them at age 3 instead of 5 and by the time formal schooling begins we could focusing on other things and therefore have children finishing school earlier and entering the workforce earlier? and if we can teach such a huge amount of information to the under 5 in a very short space of time does that mean there is more time for play, art and craft, drama, sport and music? Things that have been cut or reduced from the school curriculum as the academic load increases.(and also found to have a huge positive affect on the brain) If a child has time to pursue its own interests after the academic stuff is done then we are giving them a gift that lasts a lifetime and that is the love of learning rather than an obligation to learn.
I remember being at school having to read a book for English and it usually being some dry, boring book and then usually reading the comprehension questions first then skim reading the book to find the answers rather than really sitting down and enjoying the book or getting out of the book what the author intended.
I also think of what the future generations would be like if they could pursue what truly interested them because they had been given the chance to learn everything they could early and had techniques to learn quickly. What would those future generations be like and how much would they know the subject they were interested in? More than likely they would be experts.
As we speak today the first time we are given any real choice in what we would like to study is University or if we take an apprenticeship. By then because we have a huge amount of choice it is hard to know what to pursue because you might have alot of things you would like to try? If we gave children the choice and trusted in the fact that they would learn and gave them the freedom to learn by the time they are ready to leave school they would more than likely know what there interests are and are likely to follow them with a passion. Which would drop university drop out rates significantly and leading to a happier and more peaceful society.
Kimba
PS the above blog is my opinion and none of the above has been proven scientifically.
So, how does the decision of many parents today to educate their babies and toddlers impact the future generations to come. I have wondered about this over the past couple of days. I thought well the chance that my children will then go on to teach their own children is quite high as they will hopefully see the benefit of being taught to read and do maths early.
Will they have a deeper compassion and understanding for others as they have been exposed or taught 2nd or 3rd languages at home and therefore understand others from different cultures by being able to converse with them or at least understand what they are saying.
Will the emergence of these children whose parents have taught them at an early age push the government/child care centres to think about education in a completely new and different way. Could we teach children to read at a younger age and start them at age 3 instead of 5 and by the time formal schooling begins we could focusing on other things and therefore have children finishing school earlier and entering the workforce earlier? and if we can teach such a huge amount of information to the under 5 in a very short space of time does that mean there is more time for play, art and craft, drama, sport and music? Things that have been cut or reduced from the school curriculum as the academic load increases.(and also found to have a huge positive affect on the brain) If a child has time to pursue its own interests after the academic stuff is done then we are giving them a gift that lasts a lifetime and that is the love of learning rather than an obligation to learn.
I remember being at school having to read a book for English and it usually being some dry, boring book and then usually reading the comprehension questions first then skim reading the book to find the answers rather than really sitting down and enjoying the book or getting out of the book what the author intended.
I also think of what the future generations would be like if they could pursue what truly interested them because they had been given the chance to learn everything they could early and had techniques to learn quickly. What would those future generations be like and how much would they know the subject they were interested in? More than likely they would be experts.
As we speak today the first time we are given any real choice in what we would like to study is University or if we take an apprenticeship. By then because we have a huge amount of choice it is hard to know what to pursue because you might have alot of things you would like to try? If we gave children the choice and trusted in the fact that they would learn and gave them the freedom to learn by the time they are ready to leave school they would more than likely know what there interests are and are likely to follow them with a passion. Which would drop university drop out rates significantly and leading to a happier and more peaceful society.
Kimba
PS the above blog is my opinion and none of the above has been proven scientifically.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)