Which of these facts surprised you the most about kids' learning?

 ## Top 5 Facts About Kids' Learning:

1. **Play-Based Learning:** Kids learn best through play, developing key social and cognitive skills. 🎨🧩

1. **Early Math Matters:** Early math skills are crucial for future success, more so than early reading. 🔢🧠

1. **Hands-On Activities Boost Memory:** Interactive tasks help kids remember and understand better. ✋📚

1. **Fine Motor Skills:** Developing these early aids in tasks like handwriting. ✍️🖍️

1. **Visual Learning is Key:** Kids absorb information faster through colorful and visual materials. 👀🎨

What do you think

? 

Day 11 Holiday blog

 promote reading and encourage a love for books and storytelling 

1. Start Early

- Read Aloud: Begin reading to your child from infancy. The sound of your voice and the rhythm of the language can be soothing and engaging.

- Daily Routine: Make reading a part of your daily routine, such as before bedtime or during quiet times in the day.

#2. Create a Reading-Friendly Environment

- Accessible Books: Keep books within easy reach for your child. A small bookshelf or a basket of books in their play area can encourage them to pick up a book on their own.

3. Be a Reading Role Model

- Show Enthusiasm: Let your child see you reading and enjoying books. Your enthusiasm can be contagious.

- Family Reading Time: Set aside time for the whole family to read together, each with their own book or sharing a story.

4. Choose the Right Books

- Age-Appropriate: Select books that are suitable for your child's age and interests.

5. Make Reading Interactive

- Ask Questions: Engage your child by asking questions about the story. For example, "What do you think will happen next?" or "How do you think the character feels?"

- Act It Out: Encourage your child to act out parts of the story or use different voices for characters

6. Visit Libraries and Bookstores

- Library Trips: Regular visits to the library can be exciting for children. Let them explore and choose books that interest them.

7. Encourage Storytelling

- Tell Stories: Share stories from your own life or make up stories together. This can help develop their imagination and narrative skills.

8. Incorporate Technology Wisely

- Audiobooks: Use audiobooks for long car rides or quiet time. They can be a great way to enjoy stories together.

- Educational Apps: There are many apps designed to promote reading and storytelling skills in a fun and interactive way.

Day 10 Holiday blog

 Stay Patient 

   Staying patient with children during the holidays can be challenging, but there are various ways that can help parents manage stress and maintain a positive Situations:

1. Maintain Routines: Try to keep regular schedules for meals, naps, and bedtimes. Consistency helps children feel secure and reduces stress for everyone 

2. Set Realistic Expectations: Understand that things might not go perfectly. Be flexible and ready to adapt plans as needed.

3. Plan Activities: Engage children in holiday preparations, such as decorating, baking, or crafting. This keeps them occupied and makes them feel involved 

4. Take Breaks: Ensure both parents and children have downtime. Quiet activities like reading or watching a holiday movie can provide necessary breaks.

5. Communicate: Talk to your children about the holiday plans and any changes. Clear communication helps manage their expectations and reduces anxiety.

6. Practice Self-Care: Parents should take care of their own needs too. Short breaks, exercise and enjoy.

3health.harvard.edu4ps

Day 9 Holiday blog

 EMPATHY 

Teaching children empathy is a valuable skill that can help them build strong relationships and navigate social situations effectively.  It helps to Builds Strong Relationships,Empathy helps children connect with others, fostering friendships and positive social interactions, Enhances Emotional Intelligence;Understanding and managing emotions is a key aspect of emotional intelligence, which is crucial for personal and professional success,Promotes Kindness and Compassion,Reduces Bullying as it reduces aggressive behaviors and bullying, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment.

How do we Teach Empathy?

1. Model Empathy: Children learn by observing their parents. Show empathy in your interactions with others. For example, express understanding and concern when someone is upset.

2. Discuss Feelings: Talk about emotions regularly. Ask your child how they feel and help them identify and label their emotions. Discuss how others might feel in different situations.

3. Encourage Perspective-Taking: Help your child see things from another person's point of view. Ask questions like, "How do you think your friend felt when you shared your toy?

4. Use Stories and Media: Read books or watch shows that highlight empathy. Discuss the characters' feelings and actions. This can help children understand and relate to different emotions.

5. Praise Empathic Behavior: When your child shows empathy, acknowledge and praise their behavior. This reinforces the importance of being kind and understanding.

6. Create Opportunities for Empathy: Encourage your child to help others, whether it's through small acts of kindness or participating in community service. These experiences can foster a sense of empathy and compassion.

By teaching empathy, parents can help their children develop into caring, understanding, and emotionally intelligent individuals.

2024 Day 8 Holiday blog

 PRAISE NOT JUST THE OUTCOME BUT ALSO HARDWORK 

Acknowledging effort is crucial for motivating and empowering children. When parents focus on praising effort rather than innate ability, it encourages resilience, growth, and a positive mindset. Here are some important points and effective ways to praise children's efforts:

Why Praise Effort?

   - Motivation: Praising effort motivates children and encourages them to do more

   - Growth Mindset: It fosters a growth mindset,they Will believe that effort leads to improvement.

   - Risk-Taking: Children learn to take risks, learn from mistakes, and bounce back from setbacks.

Effective Ways to Praise Effort

   - Be Specific: Instead of generic praise, be specific about what they did well. For example:

     - "You worked hard on that math homework – well done!"

     - "Thank you for being patient while we waited in line."

   - Focus on the Process: Praise the entire process, including concentration, self-correction, and strategies used. For instance:

     - "You deserve it! You worked really hard for that mark."

   - Sincerity Matters: Children recognize insincere praise. Be genuine and specific to make it meaningful.

Remember, praising effort helps children build confidence, resilience, and a positive attitude toward challenges. 😊

2024 Day 7 holiday blog

 

Constituency in Routine 

Maintaining consistency and routines during the holiday season is essential for children's well-being. Here are some ways parents can achieve this:

1. Stick to a Routine: Even though daily routines may change during the holidays, try to maintain consistency in certain aspects. For example:

   - Awake Times: Encourage your child to wake up at consistent times each day.

   - Hygiene Routines: Stick to regular hygiene practices like brushing teeth and bathing.

   - Bedtime Activities: Keep bedtime routines consistent to promote better sleep.

   - Play Time: Allocate time for play and engagement.

2. Involve Your Child: Include your child in creating a holiday schedule. This involvement increases engagement, feelings of accomplishment, and self-confidence, which can reduce anxiety about what's coming next.

3. Communicate Changes: Explain any alterations to routines in advance. Children feel more secure when they know what to expect. By supporting your child with new routines during the holiday break, you can reduce anxiety and stress at home.

Remember, consistency provides structure and a sense of security for children, even during festive times. 

2024 Day six Holiday Blog

 

Showing love and affection is crucial in parenting. Consistently showing love and affection contributes to your child's well-being and development. 

Here are some practical ways to express your love to your child:

1. Listen to Your Kid: Show genuine interest in their thoughts and opinions. Put down electronics and engage in meaningful conversations with them¹.

2. Have Fun Together: Create unstructured time to bond. Play games, be silly, and step into their world. Spending quality time shows that you value them.

3. Hug Them More: Physical touch reinforces the loving bond. Even for teenagers, daily hugs provide reassurance and emotional connection

4. Go for Small Gestures: Write notes, offer praise, give high fives, and say kind things about your kids in front of others. Actions speak volumes about your care for them

2024 Day five Holiday blog

 MODEL BEHAVIOR

BE A ROLE MODEL

Children learn by observing adults and imitating their actions. When adults model appropriate behavior, children are more likely to adopt similar conduct

 Children often engage in over-imitation, copying not only the practical steps but also irrelevant actions demonstrated by adults. This behavior appears to be universal and may contribute to cultural transmission

Even if an action seems unnecessary or confusing, children assume there's a reason behind it and may copy it. This willingness to imitate contributes to the development and sharing of culture

 Children tend to imitate those in authoritative positions (parents, teachers) and peers who are similar to them in age, sex, and interests

Remember, as adults, we play a crucial role in modeling positive behavior for the next generation! 😊👍

Modeling good behavior for your child is essential for their development. Here are few points to follow 

1. **Be a Role Model**: Children learn by observing adults. Demonstrate kindness, empathy, and respect in your interactions with others. Show them how to handle challenges calmly and positively.

2. **Communication**: Use effective communication. Listen actively when your child speaks, and encourage them to express their feelings. Teach them to communicate respectfully and assertively.

3. **Self-Control**: Manage your emotions and reactions. Show self-control when faced with stress or frustration. Explain how you handle difficult situations without losing your temper.

4. **Empathy**: Teach empathy by discussing feelings and perspectives. Encourage your child to consider how others might feel and help them understand different viewpoints.

5. **Problem-Solving**: Involve your child in problem-solving. Discuss solutions together, emphasizing cooperation and compromise.

6. **Responsibility**: Model responsibility by fulfilling your commitments, taking care of your belongings, and maintaining a clean environment. Involve your child in age-appropriate chores.

7. **Positive Attitude**: Maintain a positive outlook. Show resilience in the face of challenges, and celebrate achievements together.

Remember, consistency and patience are key. Your actions speak louder than words! 😊👍

2024 Day four Holiday blog

 

Encouraging independence in children is essential for their growth and development. Give chores that are age appropriate.

Here are some ways parents can foster self-reliance and confidence in their kids:

1. *Household Chores* Involve your child in age-appropriate chores, such as sweeping floors or setting the table, shoe cleaning. These tasks give them a sense of responsibility and contribute to the family and also helps in building moto skills.

2. *Planning Menus and Shopping* Teach your child kitchen skills and involve them in meal planning and grocery shopping. It's an opportunity to bond and learn about healthy eating habits.

3. *Caring for Younger Siblings and Other Kids*: Babysitting or looking after younger siblings helps kids develop responsibility and maturity. It's a practical way to encourage independence.

4. *DRESSING SENSE*: Ask them to select what to where, seek for their opinions when you dress.

Remember, showing your child that independence is positive and supporting them when they need space to do things on their own sets the stage for confident, self-assured growth

2024 Day three Holiday blog

 Setting boundaries is a crucial aspect of effective parenting. It involves establishing clear rules and expectations to help children understand acceptable behavior and the consequences of crossing those limits. Here are some key points to consider:

1. **Define Clear Rules**: Clearly communicate what behaviors are acceptable and what are not. This helps children understand expectations and reduces confusion.

2. **Consistency is Key**: Consistently enforce the rules you set. Inconsistency can lead to confusion and testing of boundaries.

3. **Age-Appropriate Boundaries**: Tailor boundaries to be appropriate for your child's age and development stage. Younger children need simpler, more immediate boundaries, while older children can handle more complex rules.

4. **Explain the Reasons**: Help children understand why certain boundaries are in place. This can foster respect and cooperation.

5. **Positive Reinforcement**: Encourage and reward positive behavior when children respect boundaries. This reinforces good behavior and motivates them to continue following the rules.

6. **Model Respectful Behavior**: Demonstrate respect for boundaries yourself. Children learn a lot by observing their parents' behavior.

7. **Be Firm but Fair**: It's important to be firm in enforcing boundaries, but also fair and understanding. Listen to your child's perspective and be willing to adjust boundaries if necessary.

8. **Encourage Independence**: Allow children to make choices within the set boundaries. This helps them develop decision-making skills and a sense of responsibility.

Setting boundaries helps children feel secure and understand their limits, which is essential for their development and well-being

2024 day two Holiday blog

In our busy lives, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, but taking the time to actively listen to our children can make a world of difference. Here are some tips to help you connect more deeply with your kids:

Avoid Distractions: Put away distractions like phones and laptops. Show your child that they have your full attention. This simple act can make them feel valued and heard.

Show Genuine Interest: Ask open-ended questions about their day, their thoughts, and their feelings. Instead of just asking "How was school?" try "What was the best part of your day?" or "How did that make you feel?"

 Reflect and Validate: Repeat back what your child says to show that you understand. For example, "It sounds like you were really excited about your art project!" This not only shows that you're listening but also validates their emotions.

Encourage Expression: Create a safe space for your child to express their feelings without fear of judgment. Let them know that it's okay to feel sad, angry, or frustrated, and that you're there to support them.

 Be Patient: Sometimes, children need time to articulate their thoughts. Give them the space to do so without rushing them. Your patience will encourage them to open up more.

Share Your Own Feelings:Modeling how to express emotions can help your child learn to do the same. Share your own experiences and feelings in an age-appropriate way.

 Follow Up:  Show that you remember and care about what they shared by following up later. Ask them how a situation turned out or how they're feeling about something they mentioned before.

Active listening is more than just hearing words; it's about connecting on a deeper level. By showing genuine interest in your children's thoughts and feelings, you build a stronger, more trusting relationship. Let's make every conversation count!

2024 day one Holiday blog

Be Present

In today’s fast-paced world, being present with your children can be challenging but incredibly rewarding. Here are some ways to ensure you are truly present in your child’s life:

Quality Over Quantity: It’s not just about the amount of time you spend with your children, but the quality of that time. Engage in activities that foster connection, such as playing games, reading together, or simply talking about their day.

Active Listening: When your child speaks, give them your full attention. Put away distractions like phones or laptops, make eye contact, and show that you are genuinely interested in what they have to say. This builds trust and makes them feel valued.

Create Rituals: Establish daily or weekly rituals that you can share with your child. This could be a bedtime story, a weekend outing, or a special meal together. These rituals create lasting memories and a sense of security.

Be Mindful: Practice mindfulness to stay in the moment. This means being aware of your thoughts and feelings without letting them distract you from your time with your child. Mindfulness can help you respond more thoughtfully and calmly to your child’s needs.

Physical Presence: Sometimes, just being physically present is enough. Sit with your child while they do their homework, or be in the same room while they play. Your presence provides comfort and reassurance.

Show Affection: Physical touch, like hugs and kisses, and verbal affirmations of love and support are crucial. These gestures reinforce your bond and show your child that they are loved and cherished.

Participate in Their Interests: Show interest in your child’s hobbies and activities. Whether it’s attending their soccer game, helping with a school project, or learning about their favorite video game, your involvement shows that you care about what matters to them.

Unplug: Set aside specific times to disconnect from technology and focus solely on your child. This could be during meals, before bedtime, or any other time that works for your family. This helps create a distraction-free environment for meaningful interactions.

Be Patient: Children often need time to open up or express themselves. Be patient and give them the space to share their thoughts and feelings at their own pace.

Reflect and Adjust: Regularly reflect on your interactions with your child and be willing to adjust your approach as needed. Parenting is a continuous learning process, and being present means being adaptable to your child’s changing needs.

By being present, you build a strong and trusting relationship with your child.

STAFF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN SCHOOLS

 1. Principal or Headmaster (HM) Responsibilities:**

- Draft standard policies for the school, including Staff Discipline, Students Discipline, Staff Code of Conduct, Parents Relations, Safety, Security, and Fire Response policies.

- Establish sound and effective administrative structures, ensuring compliance.

- Create job descriptions and specifications for all school staff.

- Supervise academic and non-academic staff.

- Develop term calendars for academic and extracurricular activities.

- Preside over staff meetings and report outcomes to the proprietor.

- Enforce discipline and order among staff and students.

- Maintain up-to-date records and address Ministry of Education-related matters.

- Vet and approve teachers' schemes of work and examination questions.

- Oversee syllabus compliance by teachers.

- Monitor preparation and issuance of report sheets.

- Foster proper relationships with parents and handle their complaints.

- Conduct regular staff appraisals.

- Ensure strict adherence to the staff code of conduct.

- Orient newly employed staff.

- Maintain and secure school assets and property.

- Organize educational excursions and establish student clubs (e.g., Press Club, Debate Club, Drama, JETS).

- Conduct seminars for students on morals, leadership, citizenship, and exam ethics.

- Arrange periodic seminars for parents.

- Monitor teachers' activities in classrooms (class management, teaching methods, use of instructional materials, communication with students, homework grading).

### **2. Vice Principal (Academics) Responsibilities (Secondary School):**

- Supervise academic staff and academic activities.

- Vet and approve teachers' schemes of work.

- Monitor syllabus compliance.

- Vet and approve examination questions.

- Establish and supervise academic clubs.

 **3. Support Staff Responsibilities:**

- **Administrative Roles:**

  - Manage effective school operations (not directly involved in student learning).

- **Facilities Staff:**

  - Create a safe environment (cleaners, caretakers, catering staff).

- **Student Support Roles:**

  - Assist students both inside and outside of school.

A **Teacher** is a dedicated professional who plays a crucial role in shaping young minds. Their responsibilities extend beyond imparting knowledge; they foster curiosity, critical thinking, and personal growth. Let's delve into the specifics of a teacher's job description:

### **Teacher Job Description**

As a teacher, your primary goal is to provide effective education to students based on national curriculum guidelines within your specialized subject areas. Here are the key aspects of your role:

1. **Lesson Delivery**:

   - Present lessons in a comprehensive manner, utilizing visual and audio aids to facilitate learning.

   - Tailor instruction to individual students, promoting interactive learning.

2. **Content Creation**:

   - Develop and distribute educational content, including notes, summaries, and assignments.

3. **Assessment and Progress Tracking**:

   - Assess and record students' progress, providing grades and constructive feedback.

   - Maintain a tidy and orderly classroom environment.

4. **Collaboration and Communication**:

   - Collaborate with other teachers, parents, and stakeholders.

   - Participate in regular meetings to discuss student development and educational strategies.

5. **Student Well-Being and Behavior**:

   - Observe and understand students' behavior and psyche.

   - Report any suspicions of neglect or abuse.

6. **Professional Development**:

   - Continuously enrich your skills and knowledge by attending seminars and conferences.

### **Requirements and Skills**

To excel in this role, you should possess the following:

- **Proven Experience**: Previous teaching experience is essential.

- **Knowledge of Best Practices**: Familiarity with effective teaching methods and legal educational guidelines.

- **Effective Communication**: Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to connect with students.

- **Organization and Commitment**: Well-organized and committed to student success.

Remember, as a teacher, you're not just imparting information; you're shaping futures and inspiring lifelong learners!

Remember, each staff member contributes to the holistic development of students and the overall success of the school! 🏫🌟

A Peek into a Teacher's Daily Routine

 

Morning Preparations

The day begins early for teachers, often before the sun rises. They start their mornings with a cup of coffee, planning out the lessons for the day. While sipping their coffee, they check their emails, respond to any urgent messages, and prepare the materials they'll need for their classes.

Welcoming the Students

As the school bell rings, teachers welcome their students into the classroom. The atmosphere is bustling with the energy of young learners, each bringing their own unique personality to the room. The teacher takes a moment to greet each student personally, setting a positive tone for the day.

Classroom Activities

The core of a teacher's day is spent in the classroom, facilitating learning. This involves a mix of lectures, group activities, and individual work. Teachers are constantly moving, providing support, and ensuring that each student is engaged and understanding the material.

Interactions with Colleagues

Teachers don't work in isolation; they collaborate with their colleagues throughout the day. This might involve planning lessons together, sharing resources, or simply discussing the challenges and successes of teaching. These interactions are crucial for professional growth and support.

End of the Day

As the final bell rings, teachers wrap up any remaining tasks. They might stay behind to help students with homework or to grade assignments. The end of the day often involves reflecting on the successes and challenges of the day, preparing for the next.

Evening Reflection

Once home, teachers often spend their evenings planning for the future. This could involve creating new lessons, grading papers, or preparing for upcoming projects. The evening is also a time for relaxation, allowing teachers to recharge before the next day's adventures in education

Math Center Activities

A preschool math center is the perfect “addition” to the classroom. A dedicated area or table keeps things organized and promotes mathematical exploration. It is easy to provide a variety of activities for students to play and learn all about math!

Let's look at Pom Poms, tweezers, and ice cube trays are a fun fine motor arrival activity in a maths Center! This is an activity in the math center, so having it out for arrival time is a fun way for students to get to know the activities that are in the classrooms centers.

items require in a preschool Math Center are child sized furniture including a table and a few seats storage bins for several different types of manipulatives recording materials – pencils, papers, crayons two dimensional or “flat” shapes – tangrams, magnet tiles, magnets 3-D shapes – cubes, spheres, cylinders, pyramids numbers – in magnets or just plastic number lines sorting trays ten frames Spinners Dice Clothespins or pegs of different colors Markers and Crayons to learn more or to get Educational resources call School Explorers on 08035995356

Quality Teaching

Quality Teaching is all about the value and roles adopted by the Teacher to have a strong impact on student's learning and achievement. it should enables stidents to learn in an enjoyable way,learn that they think is important, understand what they have learned and make use of it.

Quality Teaching Quality teaching comprises responsive and reflective teaching. Teaching should be responsive to student learning processes and learning styles. It should provide scaffolding to the extent that learners would become autonomous. It should be responsive to the prior knowledge and experiences of students. They should not be assumed to come to classes with a blank mind. Their experiences should be valued as potential sources of learning. Reflective teachers practice reflective teaching and they think over what and how they teach and learn. It is their personal tool to observe and evaluate what they do or fail to do in class. It supports development and maintenance of expertise, ability to reflect on their own actions as a way of engaging in the process of continuous learning. Hence, quality teachers are naturally great teachers. They are available to students and their parents, accessible to students anytime, are warm, caring, enthusiastic, committed, patient, energetic, communicative, and constantly updating their knowledge. They have passion for teaching, and love students and their subjects. Teacher’s role does not start only inside the classroom. In fact, classroom role becomes an intermediary between pre-classroom and post-classroom roles. Basically, teachers are curriculum planners and designers. They cannot take any meaningful decision on what to teach and why teach what they teach in classroom. An important aspect of curriculum planning/designing is constructive alignment. They should therefore foresee an alignment between designing teaching through activities and expressing learning in and through activities.

CIRCLE TIME

Circle Time is a popular activity that’s used in many primary schools to help develop positive relationships between children. It aims to give them tools to engage with and listen to each other.

It’s often used as an opportunity to solve problems that are affecting the class, for example too much talking during lessons, or someone being picked on.

The whole class takes part in Circle Time at the same time, usually led by their teacher, who sits in the circle with their pupils.

The circle encourages unity, respect, turn-taking and working together towards a shared vision.

It also helps children work on five key skills, without which Circle Time doesn’t work: thinking, listening, looking, speaking and concentrating.

Circle Time is used mainly in primary schools, although it can also work in preschool settings. It’s sometimes used in secondary schools, too.

Ideally, it should take place weekly, and last between 20 and 50 minutes, depending on the children’s ages and ability to concentrate.

It’s usually led by a teacher, although sometimes older children run Circle Time for younger pupils.

Circle Time shouldn’t just be a time to chat; it needs a specific structure to make sure all children have the opportunity to be involved.

Certain ground rules apply, and children are often involved in deciding what those rules should be. Common rules include:

 

Putting hands up to speak, and not interrupting;

Taking turns;

Allowing children to ‘pass’ if they don’t want to speak;

Valuing all contributions and not putting anyone down.

Teachers will often put a Do Not Disturb sign on the door so their Circle Time isn’t interrupted.

During Circle Time, children should sit in a circle, either on the floor or on chairs. Their teacher is part of the circle, too, and while they will direct the activities, they should aim to keep a low profile so children have a chance to speak up.

Often, an object like a large shell, a ball, a rubber egg or a teddy will be passed around the circle. When a child is holding the object, it’s their turn to speak.

Teachers will choose from a range of activities, such as co-operative games, rounds, musical games, drama activities, talking and listening exercises, puppets and masks.

Sometimes, a particular issue that’s affecting the class, school or a pupil is tackled; on other occasions, there may be more general discussions around thoughts and feelings.

Circle Time should be fun and light-hearted, and always ends on a positive note with an activity that calms children down and gets them back into learning mode.

The weekly Circle Time for each class enables pupils of all ages, at their own level, to reflect on aspects of their lives, to discuss moral and social issues and to express with confidence their understanding of right and wrong and their sense of justice. Pupils learn to listen to others, to be tolerant of other viewpoints and to respect fellow pupils.’

Read more

https://www.theschoolrun.com/what-circle-time

Toddler self feeding. A yes or No

 Self-feeding is an important part of a child's development, as it helps them to learn more complex motor skills, as well as develop their hand-eye coordination and fine motor control. Additionally, self-feeding helps with cognitive development, as a child learns to recognize and identify different types of food and understand how their food choices can impact their health. Self-feeding also helps to foster independence in children as they learn to take care of themselves and make decisions about their food. Finally, self-feeding is also beneficial for social development, as it provides a platform for children to interact with peers and caregivers during meal times. All in all, self-feeding is an important part of a child's development and should be encouraged

Self-feeding provides a fun and easy way for a child to explore different sensory experiences and feels. This is a great opportunity for the child to play with and feel crumbly, rough, wet, squishy, spongy, and slippery textures. Foods also provide different sounds, smells, and tastes.

First load food onto your child's spoon or fork. Then give the spoon or fork to your child to put into their mouth on their own. Let your child practise often to build their skills. Give your child plenty of praise when they try using a spoon or fork.

From 12 months, Parents or the Caregivers in the daycare should always encourage the Children to practice self feeding as this will strengthen their fingers, encourage eye coordination and also helps in building independence in them

The need to Celebrate Colour days in School

https://radiopublic.com/school-explorers-GMk24Z

 Colours’ Day Celebration: Build the cognitive skills of pre-primary kids

The pre-primary days of children are the phase when their cognitive and motor skills take shape. Developmental and interactive abilities of the children also get noticed during this age. Hence, it is very crucial for the parents at home and teachers in the school to actively engage kids in activities which boost their cognitive abilities. A lot of activities can be done in this regard and the celebration of Colors Day is one of them which are vital to be introduced in the school.

 

The format of Colurs’ Day Celebration in school

 Different schools follow different ways of introducing colours to the children. You can choose to go with theme-based plan in which one month can be dedicated for one single colour. One particular day should be dedicated to activities and events for that colour and the rest of the days talk about that colour, its important, its presence, and others shades of that colour.

 

https://open.spotify.com/show/1C2RRnli8wCKf41k5XFffm

Activities for a Colour Day or a Colour Month 

 

Specific foods for Colour Day:  If you are celebrating “Yellow Day”, dedicate one day for yellow colour foods like banana, turmeric, yellow rice, yellow bell peppers, lemons etc. Kids should be able to identify which foods are yellow and what are the health benefits of that colour.

Activities for a Colour Day or a Colour Month 

 

Specific foods for Colour Day: If you are celebrating “Yellow Day”, dedicate one day for yellow colour foods like banana, turmeric, yellow rice, yellow bell peppers, lemons etc. Kids should be able to identify which foods are yellow and what are the health benefits of that colour.

Play colour puzzles: These types of games not only enhance the cognitive skills of the kids but also highlight their motor skills. Ask your children to combine similar colour puzzle blocks or cards in one row and count the maximum numbers. In one activity, you would be able to develop many skills within the children.

Colour printing activities: This can engage the children in a very artistic way. For any specific Colour Day, ask the children to paint things with that colour. Colouring trees, houses, fruits, finger printing, palm printing are a few things to do. For pre-primary II, you can even ask kids to fill relative colour in given images; for example, ask to fill green colour in things which are green in nature among a group of things.

https://radiopublic.com/school-explorers-GMk24Z

Click on the above link to listen

WATCH AND LEARN From Chrisland Shege

Chrisland shege  Let all School Leaders watch and learn. It might just be carelessness on the part of the organizers

Click below to watch😢

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You know the preschool years matter..

90% of a child's brain growth happens before age 6. During this time, over one million new neural connections are made every second! It's no wonder early experiences have a lasting impact on a child's: - Learning - Behaviour - and Health No pressure, right!? 😅 Finding clear answers to what, when, and how to teach preschoolers is frustrating, to say the least. Let's face it. Parents of preschoolers often get the short end of the stick. So what exactly are the 4 Fundamental Preschool Skills taught in Play into Kindergarten Readiness? SKILL #1: LITERACY Early introductions to literacy are crucial. Did you know that phonological awareness is the strongest predictor of early reading success? Or that introducing letters and sounds in a specific order allows reading to flow naturally? Hint: It doesn't start with ABC! When it's time to introduce those letters and sounds, your child will be ready for reading success. SKILL #2: NUMERACY Numeracy is more than numbers. It's also sorting, building, comparing, measuring, patterning, exploring shapes... The 6 areas of math readiness are critical, as all future math skills build on them. Understanding how numbers fit and work together is the foundation for later multiplication, division, fractions, and more. SKILL #3: FINE & GROSS MOTOR Fine and gross motor skills go hand-in-hand. Did you know crossing the midline aids in the development of fine motor skills like handwriting, encourages concentration, and can even make it easier to read? Did you know crossing the midline aids in the development of fine motor skills like handwriting, encourages concentration, and can even make it easier to read? A whole-body approach ensures your child has opportunities to fully develop both fine and gross motor skills... ...because they really do go hand-in-hand! SKILL #4: SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL Social and emotional skills for happy humans. Your child's social and emotional development directly influences self-confidence, empathy, problem-solving, and communication skills. Think you can't nurture social and emotional development at home? Think again! Strong social and emotional skills will support your child for a lifetime. for staff training, Preschool setup and educational resources or supplies 08035995356

Learning to read

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR CHILD'S SPELLING AND READING (PART ONE) If your child can’t spell very well it must be a huge headache because you know everything we do in our country that has English as the official language starts and ends with the English language and if you can’t spell the words you might never pass WAEC and that means no university which might be a scary prospect. There are eight steps to fixing a child’s ability to spell but I will point out three or four points today, you will get the full points when we introduce our book HOW TO TURN YOUR CHILD INTO A GENIUS IN 8 SIMPLE STEPS LEARN SOUNDS FIRST I have always seen teachers I mentor have an argument, it has been the same argument we have in the office. We ask is phonics the best way to teach children how to spell and write? The mistake I have seen many educators make is try to teach children words first which doesn’t work because that is like building a house from the roof first. To build a house you start from the foundation and the foundation of words are the sounds and a huge chunk of words in the English language are spelt using the sounds. There are at least eight ways to teach this but let’s focus on using syllables because using them is the easiest way to show the sounds in a word which leads to spelling easily. SYLLABLES Syllables are basic units available in words that allow us to break them into definite sounds and here are some examples. The is a single syllable word Go is a single syllable word Tutor broken down is TU/TOR which makes it two syllables Parent broken down is PA/RENT which makes it two syllables Definite broken down is DE/FI/NITE which makes it three syllables Nigeria broken down is NI/GE/RI/A which makes it four syllables I could go on but the main gist is to help your child master spelling you must recognize the fact that syllable mastery is the 1st block in the building that is reading If your child can break down words into syllables then you are on your way so let me give you a list of words you can work with your child to break down. WORDS WITH TWO SYLLABLES Able, music, fifty, fourteen, party, picture, Monday, office, language, nature, Kelly, city, woman, twenty, sugar, husband, silver, seven, thirteen, Thursday, again, Tuesday, pizza, donate, country, pumpkin, Christmas, special, over, Angel, freedom, princess, people, water, future, Heaven, happy, sixty, Friday, Father, yellow, tiger, monster, lady, poetry, away, river, money, Ali, nothing, broken , forty, Sunday, circle, body, Mary, children, abate, sixteen, moment, birthday, alone, circus, person, lemon, morning. WORDS WITH THREE SYLLABLES Madison, musical, melody, basketball, imagine, Florida, mercury, initial, mystery, tomato, natural, Julian, calendar, library, weathering, equation, magical, violence, characters, Abuja, Cassava Canada, Jupiter, envelope, diamond, memory, together, Erica, adventure, energy, history, important, amazing, consonant, feminine, dangerous, masculine, forever, Indian, holiday, syllable, abdicate, media, chocolate, banana, Africa, happiness, piano, eleven, animal, Wednesday, challenge, Melissa, seventy, chipotle, celebrate, Jessica, potato, business, favorite, elephant, pollution, President, radio. WORDS WITH FOUR SYLLABLES Nassarawa, Osinbajo, January, undemanding, Virginia, Australia, irregular, aboveboard, information, Elizabeth intermittent, preposition, February, bullying, literature, secretary, Victoria, homecoming, independence, alligator, ordinary, syllabicate, alternative, technology, celebration, Carolina, maleficent, watermelon, appreciate , community, relaxation, salmonella, forgiveness, aberration, vegetable, eternity, belligerent, angelica, retirement, television and intelligence. Take the time and patience to break down these words like I did up there with your kid BY PRONOUNCING THEM SLOWLY AND PUTTING THE SYLLABLE LINES BETWEEN EACH SOUND and you would have taken the first step to good spelling. Remember patience is good especially if the kid is not getting it very fast.

Strategies to improve Home-School Communication

Schools have made great strides in increasing the frequency of communication with families, taking advantage of digital tools to give parents more visibility into their child’s day. However, as the challenges listed above indicate, the proliferation of tools has now fragmented communications to the point of leaving parents overwhelmed and unsure what to do with the information they receive. Parents appreciate the school’s effort to communicate, but if they can’t act on the information and the school isn’t sure if it was even received, nobody achieves the desired results. With this in mind, the next level of innovation is required: rather than concentrating simply on parent-teacher communication, we need to instead design ways to improve the whole-school focus on communications, simplifying the process for all stakeholders and promoting consistency in communication between educators and families. This includes giving teachers fewer tools to manage, reducing the number of places parents need to look for information, and making information more clearly actionable. By ensuring parents have an easier time receiving communications from the school, it will help school leaders gain buy-in for goals and initiatives, help teachers foster the parent engagement desired in the classroom, and help students get the support they need from their families. Here are some strategies for leaders to establish positive and productive communications right from the start of the school year: 1. Pick one tool: School leaders ought to conduct a communications audit to get a handle on how teachers are communicating with parents, and then provide clear direction on which tool to use, as well as some general communication protocols. Finding one platform that every educator can use and explaining why this is a priority will increase buy-in from all stakeholders, and, collectively, your staff and faculty can enhance their success in engaging parents. 2. Issue shorter, more frequent communications: Don’t kick off the year with one long communication or wait until the end of the term to reach out with an extensive recap. Just as schools have moved to more frequent assessments of students, school communications should also be concise and frequent to keep parents in the loop on an ongoing basis. 3. Personalize: Personalization isn’t just for students. Parents expect it, too, and new technology tools can help parents customize how they’re connected to their children’s schools. This is especially important since not all parents can come into school at designated times. Personalization features include giving parents the option to “subscribe” to the channels featuring updates they wish to receive―personalizing the information, not just the delivery method―which ensures they get the information they feel is relevant without it getting lost amid other information overload. 4. Set the tone: Encourage teachers to share a bit of information about themselves at the start of the year, perhaps at parent night, to set the tone for an open exchange with students’ parents and caregivers. They should develop and communicate a process for regular, ongoing communication throughout the year so parents know what to expect. 5. Build relationships: Teachers should focus on building relationships with parents to establish trust and foster those relationships throughout the year. Schools should also ensure that parents have opportunities to build rapport with their child’s support network, which can include a whole team of people, including learning specialists. 6. Share accountability: Make it clear that all faculty members are expected to participate in the school’s communications efforts. By providing clear guidance on this expectation, along with the proper tools and protocols to make it actionable, leaders can make it a reality. Administrators should also lead by example, demonstrating that they are equally accountable for executing the plan. 7. Invite parents to be partners: If educators don’t already know the school’s parent body, they should be sure to reach out and learn more about them. Teachers should invite parents to share information about their child’s strengths and weaknesses, what type of support system they have at home, and whether anything going on in the child’s life may impact classroom behavior. Information like this can be essential in equipping teachers to meet students’ needs. 8. Empower parents to opt in: Design opportunities where parents can opt in (or out) of certain information or updates that are relevant, or irrelevant, to their child. Bombarding every parent with every update is just as ineffective as under-communicating, and parents will find it impossible to keep up, if they don’t tune out entirely. By giving parents the power to opt into the communication “channels”―however your school is able to define them―that are relevant to them, they will feel a much greater level of control and ability to truly engage. 9. Provide actionable information: Providing information for the sake of keeping parents up-to-date is recommended, but schools also need to make sure they are sharing information that parents can act on. This can include opportunities for parents to support or prepare their child for classroom assignments, or information about upcoming extracurricular activities and special events. 10. Share the positive: Often, communication will focus on the basics such as daily schedules, homework assignments, upcoming events and in some cases behavioral updates. Parents may dread the rare phone call home, so it’s important to find opportunities to communicate good news, as well.