<![CDATA[Think Smile Learn: Latest News]]> http://www.thinksmilelearn.co.uk Mon, 06 Sep 2010 02:12:36 +0000 <![CDATA[HELP DIRECTORY]]> http://www.thinksmilelearn.co.uk/news/6/HELP-DIRECTORY.html Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:16:59 +0000 http://www.thinksmilelearn.co.uk/news/6/HELP-DIRECTORY.html The following locations provide useful information for parents, governors and teachers:

The Parents' Centre

Direct.gov.uk

Home Education Advisory Service

Parentlink: helping with your child's homework

Bullying Online (Registered Charity)

]]> The following locations provide useful information for parents, governors and teachers:

The Parents' Centre

Direct.gov.uk

Home Education Advisory Service

Parentlink: helping with your child's homework

Bullying Online (Registered Charity)

]]> <![CDATA[TOP TIPS]]> http://www.thinksmilelearn.co.uk/news/5/TOP-TIPS.html Fri, 28 May 2010 16:12:06 +0000 http://www.thinksmilelearn.co.uk/news/5/TOP-TIPS.html

Praise, encouragement and a display of interest in your child’s school day and homework can go a long way.

Try and establish a regular time and routine for completing homework. It’s good to have outside interests but make sure the homework is seen as a priority.

Visit the school whenever the opportunity arises and talk with teachers about your child’s work.

Try to encourage your child to put greater effort into the subjects they find less interesting, perhaps by establishing a link to something they enjoy doing or the subjects that have more appeal.

Look out for any changes in behaviour or attitudes towards a subject that might indicate a problem.

Help your child to progress according to individual ability, rather than age. Listen to your child. They will soon tell you if they are bored or not being challenged enough.

Children develop at different rates, but National Curriculum levels can give you an idea of how your child’s progress compares to what is typical for their age. For example, by the end of Key Stage 1 (5-7), most children will have reached level 2, and by the end of Key Stage 2 (7-11) most will be at level 4.

We keep repeating ..... but reading stories with your child, if only for 10 minutes a day, really does help build important communication and development skills as well as capturing your child's interest in books. Books are a rich source of information for your child as they contain words you might not use in everyday conversations. From their earliest days babies enjoy listening to stories and looking at books. Make it fun by choosing books you both enjoy. Talk about pictures and characters and make up stories using text and jigsaw puzzles (another great aid for parent/child discussion).

Please contact us for further support and information.

]]>

Praise, encouragement and a display of interest in your child’s school day and homework can go a long way.

Try and establish a regular time and routine for completing homework. It’s good to have outside interests but make sure the homework is seen as a priority.

Visit the school whenever the opportunity arises and talk with teachers about your child’s work.

Try to encourage your child to put greater effort into the subjects they find less interesting, perhaps by establishing a link to something they enjoy doing or the subjects that have more appeal.

Look out for any changes in behaviour or attitudes towards a subject that might indicate a problem.

Help your child to progress according to individual ability, rather than age. Listen to your child. They will soon tell you if they are bored or not being challenged enough.

Children develop at different rates, but National Curriculum levels can give you an idea of how your child’s progress compares to what is typical for their age. For example, by the end of Key Stage 1 (5-7), most children will have reached level 2, and by the end of Key Stage 2 (7-11) most will be at level 4.

We keep repeating ..... but reading stories with your child, if only for 10 minutes a day, really does help build important communication and development skills as well as capturing your child's interest in books. Books are a rich source of information for your child as they contain words you might not use in everyday conversations. From their earliest days babies enjoy listening to stories and looking at books. Make it fun by choosing books you both enjoy. Talk about pictures and characters and make up stories using text and jigsaw puzzles (another great aid for parent/child discussion).

Please contact us for further support and information.

]]> <![CDATA[READING AT HOME]]> http://www.thinksmilelearn.co.uk/news/4/READING-AT-HOME.html Fri, 28 May 2010 15:47:39 +0000 http://www.thinksmilelearn.co.uk/news/4/READING-AT-HOME.html Make reading fun for children. Research consistently shows that reading to children can be a rewarding experience. More to the point, children love it and derive a whole new experience of different language structures and exposure to rhythms and sounds not normally heard in general conversation.

What to read to babied toddlers and young children

  • ·      pre-school children who are exposed to plenty of language (books and conversation)      tend to do better at school
  • ·      reading teaches many topics which wouldn't come up in conversation

However, reading must be fun – lots of fun - not hard work. If reading isn’t fun, children won’t do it. And if your child doesn’t enjoy it he/she will think they are not good at it.

Even for very young children just reading allows the baby to enjoy the sound of your voice and hear the rhythms of different types of language, even though your child will not have an understanding of what you are talking about.

Reading to babies and toddlers

Babies and toddlers benefit hugely. The effort of focusing on pictures develops eye muscles. Each time a baby hears a particular word, it imprints more strongly in his/her brain.

Each time your baby sees, hears, or feels anything, brain connections form. Eventually, the connections are strong enough to create a skill or a piece of knowledge 

Some simple steps - sometimes forgotten

Fiction or none fiction? It really doesn’t matter. It’s the interest element and your enthusiasm for the story and content.

Be comfortable, cosy and relaxed - both of you. On the other hand, hearing a story can be very calming for a child who is in 'one of those moods'.

Make sure your child can see the book the right way up as you read.

Read very slowly - that's better for your child anyway as he/she will be able to hear the words more clearly. When you read it should sound too slow in your own head.

Up to 2 years old

  • point at pictures and say or ask names of things (depending on age)
  • use a slow sing-song voice
  • be entertaining – try using different voices for each character
  • talk about pictures – shapes, colour, expressions, clothes etc.
  • give lots of praise each time your child points at and/or names an object

2-4 years old

  • allow your child to look at the pictures before starting to read
  • follow the text with your finger as you read
  • ask questions and discuss – “Where is the …?” “What’s this …?” “How many …?”

and finally …..

Choose a variety of different types of language. Include traditional stories, poetry and general everyday stories. Include books that your child really likes – for whatever reason.

And when your child is watching TV/DVD’s (hopefully not too often!) switch on subtitles. Studies have shown this aids early readers word recognition.

Remember, our lives revolve around the written word. We have to read signs, labels, advertising etc. So at home, while shopping, driving and in the supermarket, point out, discuss and generally comment on the written word.

But don’t forget to include a good book!

]]> Make reading fun for children. Research consistently shows that reading to children can be a rewarding experience. More to the point, children love it and derive a whole new experience of different language structures and exposure to rhythms and sounds not normally heard in general conversation.

What to read to babied toddlers and young children

  • ·      pre-school children who are exposed to plenty of language (books and conversation)      tend to do better at school
  • ·      reading teaches many topics which wouldn't come up in conversation

However, reading must be fun – lots of fun - not hard work. If reading isn’t fun, children won’t do it. And if your child doesn’t enjoy it he/she will think they are not good at it.

Even for very young children just reading allows the baby to enjoy the sound of your voice and hear the rhythms of different types of language, even though your child will not have an understanding of what you are talking about.

Reading to babies and toddlers

Babies and toddlers benefit hugely. The effort of focusing on pictures develops eye muscles. Each time a baby hears a particular word, it imprints more strongly in his/her brain.

Each time your baby sees, hears, or feels anything, brain connections form. Eventually, the connections are strong enough to create a skill or a piece of knowledge 

Some simple steps - sometimes forgotten

Fiction or none fiction? It really doesn’t matter. It’s the interest element and your enthusiasm for the story and content.

Be comfortable, cosy and relaxed - both of you. On the other hand, hearing a story can be very calming for a child who is in 'one of those moods'.

Make sure your child can see the book the right way up as you read.

Read very slowly - that's better for your child anyway as he/she will be able to hear the words more clearly. When you read it should sound too slow in your own head.

Up to 2 years old

  • point at pictures and say or ask names of things (depending on age)
  • use a slow sing-song voice
  • be entertaining – try using different voices for each character
  • talk about pictures – shapes, colour, expressions, clothes etc.
  • give lots of praise each time your child points at and/or names an object

2-4 years old

  • allow your child to look at the pictures before starting to read
  • follow the text with your finger as you read
  • ask questions and discuss – “Where is the …?” “What’s this …?” “How many …?”

and finally …..

Choose a variety of different types of language. Include traditional stories, poetry and general everyday stories. Include books that your child really likes – for whatever reason.

And when your child is watching TV/DVD’s (hopefully not too often!) switch on subtitles. Studies have shown this aids early readers word recognition.

Remember, our lives revolve around the written word. We have to read signs, labels, advertising etc. So at home, while shopping, driving and in the supermarket, point out, discuss and generally comment on the written word.

But don’t forget to include a good book!

]]> <![CDATA[TALKING TO UNDER 5's]]> http://www.thinksmilelearn.co.uk/news/2/TALKING-TO-UNDER-5%27s.html Tue, 25 May 2010 11:17:29 +0000 http://www.thinksmilelearn.co.uk/news/2/TALKING-TO-UNDER-5%27s.html You are your child's first teacher and understand them better than anyone else. By talking to them, playing with them and introducing simple skills you can help them in their future development.

Talking and listening to your child

The quickest development of your child's brain takes place between their birth and the age of two. Your child continues to learn and develop rapidly during the important early years of their life.

By building a few simple learning games into your child's daily routines and helping them investigate their environment, you can help give them the best possible start to their education. 

You help your child to learn by giving them opportunities to:

  • look at interesting things, in the garden or in the home
  • touch a variety of objects
  • listen to a range of sounds like songs, rhymes, stories, music
  • taste a range of flavours
  • investigate things that open, close, float, sink, twist, turn
  • explore objects like large boxes, things that make noises and things that move
  • play for uninterrupted periods, alone or with others, with help from adults, and in their own way
  • talk to other children and adults

Reading together

Everywhere you go with your child you have a chance to read together. Whether it's on the bus, in shops or at the post office, you can point out the words around you and that's the beginning of reading. Reading stories with your child, even if for just 10 minutes a day, will help to build important skills, as well as capture your child's interest in books

Learning about numbers and shapes

Counting things and noticing shapes come naturally to children, so you can use your child's interest in these activities to help with maths. Maths skills can be developed through stories, songs, games and imaginative play. Even helping in everyday tasks like telling time or measuring ingredients for cooking, gives children the chance to learn new maths skills.

Spending quality time together

Turning off the television or computer and spending time with your child creates valuable opportunities for learning. Here are a few ideas about activities that your child can learn from:

  • pottering around the garden together teaches children about plant life, insects and animals
  • simple kitchen tasks, like letting your child spread the jam on sandwiches, can give an early lesson in cooking and improve motor skills
  • playing games together teaches fair play and cooperative behaviour
  • family and holiday photos can give lessons in family history and geography

]]> You are your child's first teacher and understand them better than anyone else. By talking to them, playing with them and introducing simple skills you can help them in their future development.

Talking and listening to your child

The quickest development of your child's brain takes place between their birth and the age of two. Your child continues to learn and develop rapidly during the important early years of their life.

By building a few simple learning games into your child's daily routines and helping them investigate their environment, you can help give them the best possible start to their education. 

You help your child to learn by giving them opportunities to:

  • look at interesting things, in the garden or in the home
  • touch a variety of objects
  • listen to a range of sounds like songs, rhymes, stories, music
  • taste a range of flavours
  • investigate things that open, close, float, sink, twist, turn
  • explore objects like large boxes, things that make noises and things that move
  • play for uninterrupted periods, alone or with others, with help from adults, and in their own way
  • talk to other children and adults

Reading together

Everywhere you go with your child you have a chance to read together. Whether it's on the bus, in shops or at the post office, you can point out the words around you and that's the beginning of reading. Reading stories with your child, even if for just 10 minutes a day, will help to build important skills, as well as capture your child's interest in books

Learning about numbers and shapes

Counting things and noticing shapes come naturally to children, so you can use your child's interest in these activities to help with maths. Maths skills can be developed through stories, songs, games and imaginative play. Even helping in everyday tasks like telling time or measuring ingredients for cooking, gives children the chance to learn new maths skills.

Spending quality time together

Turning off the television or computer and spending time with your child creates valuable opportunities for learning. Here are a few ideas about activities that your child can learn from:

  • pottering around the garden together teaches children about plant life, insects and animals
  • simple kitchen tasks, like letting your child spread the jam on sandwiches, can give an early lesson in cooking and improve motor skills
  • playing games together teaches fair play and cooperative behaviour
  • family and holiday photos can give lessons in family history and geography

]]>