The Workshop - Supplying the skills to maximise personal and academic potential.

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Once again, another month has rollercoasted by. Downhill to the end of the year, with final projects, exams, and then the Christmas holidays, that somehow, in spite of my annual promises, I am never prepared for.

His homework reader should be at his age appropriate level. If he is not coping, speak to the teacher about dropping down a difficulty level, until he has mastered it, and then progress up to a more difficult book.

Don’t be a pushover – kids that battle, will find any excuse to not read. Insist that it get done, out loud to you – while you watch – kids can improvise in the most creative fashion

Don’t accept excuses - even if they have read it “in the bathroom / to the cat / my teacher said I don’t have to read it to you!!” Kids are ingenious!

If your child is not fluent in the allocated passage, repeat it. This is so important in developing familiarity with common words, learning to decode difficult words, and improving confidence.

I also recommend to parents that they give their children easy things to read: baby brothers book, a little rhyming book that you read him as a young child, comics etc. Their competence with these books will encourage them, and develop a mindset of “I can”

Kids often choose books from the school library that are topics of interest, but above their age appropriate level. This is a perfect opportunity for you to read to your child, this increases vocabulary, and develops a love of reading – plus the bonus of the precious and rare quality time together.

Your input is vital in developing his vocabulary, creative thinking, and proficiency in reading. Of course, I acknowledge that there are children that have difficulties that require specialized intervention – and the steps above will aid your child in correcting sooner. For those of you just starting on the reading journey, make these suggestions part of your interaction with your child!

I receive a newsletter from an organization in the States, the insert below was submitted by a mom who home-schools her children, but I think all moms can relate - enjoy!!

Being a homeschooling mom has taught me a few life lessons, as well:

Taking an hour to relearn math with your son that you learned 20 years ago is priceless. Exhausting, but priceless.
It's okay if the house looks like a toy store exploded every once in a while.
A plastic "superbouncer" ball, microwaved for 3 minutes at high, will ruin your microwave. Trust me on this one...
It takes exactly 114 medium-sized Christmas bows to cover a 80-pound, 11-year old boy.
Cats don't like toothpaste.
A cheese puff is small enough to fit up the nose of a 7-year old.
Don't let your children watch anything on television that you don't mind them telling your pastor after church.
Cats don't like tape, either.
The next time you feel like crying, laugh. It's good medicine.
The greatest lesson a parent can teach is one that involves compassion, kindness and humility.
Life is not a race; it is a dance. Take the time to hear the music, to dance with someone you love, and to enjoy the moment for all that it's worth.