Posts Tagged reading
Best Tips on Training Self Learners
Posted on September 29, 2011 | Home Schooling.
Homeschooling has often presented some challenges. If I let it, the paper tiger would devour my life. However, I am constantly looking for ways to simplify and streamline my life. From taking an introspective look at my self to gadgets and apps, I want to be effective. Yet, my goal in homeschooling is not simply to de-stress, but to give my children a better education without making myself insane. After researching and studying ways that I might accomplish this, I am convinced that I can do this by training them to be “self -learners.” A self learner will be able to progress through a curriculum, read “living” books, and discover knowledge on their own. Here are a few tips that I am putting into practice:
1. Introduce your children to the love of reading. Encourage them to read at every possible chance. Be an example to them by living this yourself. Reading is the gateway to knowledge, and if your child has a love for this the possibilities are endless!
2. Find homeschool options that lead your children to self learning. A curriculum that requires a person to impart to the child the knowledge contained in it – is definitely not conducive to self learning. During the very young years this is more of a necessity. However, as the child gets older – and we train them to discover knowledge for themselves – they will become independent in this area.
3. Study by immersion. Allow your child to study one subject or book until they completely tire of it. This can be several days to several weeks. They can do part of the book or complete it. I am particularly hopeful about this at our house. I believe that having less “starts” and “stops” may actually help my children stay on task.
4. Teach them the value of a “job well done.” This is something that my father taught me, and his father taught him. Doing something right just because it is the right thing to do – will be a lesson that will serve our children the rest of their lives. If they don’t do the job well the first time, make them do it over. If that doesn’t correct the issue, make them do it over several times during the week. This applies not only to home education, but also to household chores.
5. If a child comes to me asking me for an answer to a question in his homeschool studies, I invariably respond with… “Look it up.” or “Read the section over, I am sure the answer will pop out to you.” Encourage your children to find answers on their own. They can re-read their books, look it up in an encyclopedia, or even Google it. Being persistent in finding the answer will also be a priceless lesson learned for the rest of their lives.
Though I believe that these principles will serve our family well in the years to come, other homes may have different perspectives. I know that each family and each child has individual needs that will determine how they must be educated. I hope that you will find exactly what you need to be successful.
Preschool Curriculum – How to Find a Quality Curriculum
Posted on September 20, 2011 | Home Schooling.
An effective preschool curriculum is not just a day care center for little kids, but a quality, learning experience that can give your child a head start on grade school. The challenges of preschool should be sufficient to let the child learn and grow in an atmosphere productive to learning, while not be so demanding that the child will get discouraged and fall behind.
There are three main aspects to a preschool curriculum that are recognized in the US, they focus on the mathematical, reading, and science disciplines. These goals are accomplished though visual aids and hands-on learning experiences. Also, the preschool environment should allow for social development of the child with others their age.
Recently, there has been a new standard written known as the international preschool curriculum. This was founded by instructors and educators from around the world in forming a basic curriculum for preschool students that harmonizes the differences between nations to form a common ground for learning.
The international preschool curriculum, in addition to the above mentioned disciplines, also offers international themes and bilingual education as well. This type of curriculum helps promote cultural diversity and awareness that will familiarize preschool students with the various cultures that populate our planet.
Plenty of preschool activities help children grow and learn together, especially when visual aids are used to help explain the subject matter in an easy to grasp fashion.
But the basis for all effective learning at the preschool age starts with the parents. Having the parents informed on what the child is learning and getting them involved in some of the activities makes for a more productive experience. Add to this regular assessment on the child’s progress that can trace any potential learning difficulties in the future. This can be vitally important in addressing these issues early on, when they can be dealt with more quickly and with more effectiveness.
All learning begins with the child’s ability to read. This is usually the primary focus of the preschool curriculum and helps not only with basic reading skills, but it broadens their vocabulary and allows them to pronounce words more exactly. By the time they enter kindergarten; a child will know almost 5,000 words and can form complex sentences. The preschool curriculum should give that child every chance to expand those skills.
Basic mathematics is also taught in preschools, usually using visual aids or easy to understand examples. They should be able to understand the basic number of similar objects, count to 10 or above, and can add together objects as well, such as if John had two oranges and Sally one orange, how many oranges do they both have together?
The learning of science begins by demonstrating what different objects or materials are, their sizes and shapes, and even what color or colors they are. The proper preschool curriculum expands a child’s knowledge of the world around them, including plants and animals. The different cultures that exist and how they can gather information about them.
Reading, science, and math are the three foundations to the international preschool curriculum. There are other aspects as well, almost twenty learning areas in total. Be sure to fully vet your local preschool to make sure they follow the correct guidelines to give your child the best head start to their education.