Homework or Work at Home

 

Homework!

The one word that can cause immense amounts of stress, angst, and frustration the world over for children, parents and teachers alike.

I vividly remember getting home from school in my primary years, out to play, coming  home when it got dark (no mobile phones then!!!) to sit at the kitchen table completing homework whilst Mum was cooking.

 High school meant completing, or mostly completing, my homework in my bedroom whilst listening to the Top 40 on the radio, getting my tape recorder poised to tape my favourite songs off the radio (and if you don’t know what on earth I am talking about, ask someone over 40!!!!).

So, a new day and a new ‘study’ from another ‘expert’ about the why’s and how’s of homework.

As a student, I wasn’t overly impressed by having to do it, rather than watching Happy Days on the tele.

As a teacher, I must admit I am not a huge fan of homework for homework’s sake.

And as a parent, when I see what children are given for homework sometimes it sends me spare.

 

I believe that homework can be worthwhile BUT (and it is a big BUT) it needs to be relevant. Why give little Johnny a 6 page maths assignment when he is in Year 3 and hasn’t yet covered any of the strategies given.

Why make little Mary complete a ‘narrative’ about a fairytale when the class has not yet covered the structure required for that text type.

For me as a teacher I prefer that this children do the following:

1. Read EVERY night – this is so important. If your children don’t like books, find something they do like to read. My son wasn’t an avid reader of books (unlike his sister who I constantly had to stop from reading all night!), so we would go to the newsagent and buy football magazines.  He would devour these and be able to tell me all about what he read. He knew all the facts and figures, the life stories of the players, and he was reading. And that was great. My tip is to talk to them and find out what they really WANT to read, or discover, and it won’t be seen as a chore.

 

2. Speaking of chores, I often included this in homework. The children have to help complete a home chore and list it – wipe the dishes/feed the animals/learn how to put the washing machine on. This is about developing some life skills which to me are very important. Whenever I have been able to do this with my own classes, I have never had any negative responses and the families have always appeared happy for this to be completed.

 

3. Times Tables – OK so I am now very old school here but I firmly believe that the children need to learn their times tables. If we know our times tables, it helps with SO much. I still have vivid memories of standing up every morning in Year 6 and reciting all our times tables with Sister Kathleen ensuring we didn’t make one single mistake (she was tough).  I am no maths whiz but I know my tables and this has always been a great help. Stick them on the back of the toilet door if you have to, trust me it helps.

 

4. Exercise – I know not all children are keen on sports and that’s ok. However, every one needs exercise, including children. Part of homework might include listing some exercise they have done – walk the dog/ soccer training/ using the skipping rope/ riding their bike/chasings with friends.  Anything, as long as they get their bodies moving.

 

5. Cooking – I encourage the children to become involved in meal preparation. Whether it be chopping up some vegetables, stirring the sauce, or helping to serve, this is another life skill to be encouraged.

 

i know it is different for high school students and I will post about that at a later date.

But don’t let homework become a battleground.  We all lead such busy lives, as do the children at school, so if it is causing you lots of stress and arguments, maybe have a break from it.

 

Talk to your teacher about it. Homework is actually not compulsory, and most teachers should be approachable and understanding with this.

 

Do you like homeowrk or do you think it’s a waste of time? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

 

 

Naplan Nuances

Every year when the results of the standardised testing, Naplan, comes out we have so many ‘experts’ commenting on how ‘bad’ the children have done.

We also have ‘experts’ commenting on how ‘bad’ Naplan is.

What we don’t seem to have is a balanced point of view.

This year I was involved in Naplan marking. Living out of a major city, I became a regional marker which meant all my marking was completed online, from home. I completed a very extensive two day training course in Sydney and was also monitored by someone who had been involved in Naplan marking for some time. Papers marked were constantly checked and comments given if there appeared to be any major discrepancies. A very comprehensive handbook was also right besides me and viewed when marking each and every paper.

Firstly, my own personal point of view is that I don’t become overly concerned as a parent regarding Naplan. I do think doing it in Year 3 is quite frankly a bit of a waste of time. I am ok with the year 5 children doing it as I think it can be a positive experience for them regarding standardized testing, if they are supported. And I think the ‘external exam’ environment for high school student’s is a good way to expose them slowly for what is to come.

Naplan is held on three days each year. So, it is one test, on one day, for the children. Then the marking is done and results sent through.
It is not like a school report where the students have worked tirelessly at many different subjects, achieving a multitude of outcomes.

We all have a bad day. Think of Naplan as ONE day. It is not a comprehensive report on where your child is at. They may have misinterpreted, mis-read, or misjudged a maths concept that they know like the back of their hand. The next day they would have scored 100%.

Are we going to scream from the rooftops that our children’s teacher/the school/the country is failing them because they made an error? Please say no.

 

This year I was involved in marking the writing component.

There are 10 different sets of criteria for each paper to be marked on. I had a year 9 student write an absolutely brilliant piece of persuasive writing which gained the highest marks in certain criteria. However, they were a shocking speller and didn’t use one iota of punctuation. So they were scored accordingly.

And for everyone saying that children got marked zero, let me tell you that this was extremely rare. To be given a total mark of zero meant that absoultely nothing was written on the page.

They could have written their name, a short sentence, or even in one paper I marked I was greeted with “Hello, Naplan Marker!”. They got marks. I’m not going to tell you how much but they didn’t get a total score of 0.

We also hear many ‘experts’ stating that ‘private schools tell children to stay away on Naplan days so the total ranking for the school is higher”. Firstly, Naplan is not compulsory. It is up to the parents/carers to decide if they feel it is appropriate for their child to sit Naplan. My own children have sat it, I looked at their results, then we moved on to the next thing.

However, having worked in private, Catholic systemic and government schools, I can tell you it happens across the board. Some children are ‘encouraged’ to either stay home or not complete the test. This is not for me to comment on, however if I felt a child would become genuinely distressed by having to sit it, I would discourage them. Only for their own personal esteem and comfort.

The writing test this year did pose, what I believe, to be a rather awkwardly worded question. I am not surprised in the least that many primary school children had trouble with the concept. However, saying that, many, many, many papers that I marked for primary school students were also extremely well written. Similar for the high school students.

 

But let’s be honest, it wouldn’t really matter what type of question/statement/ comment was written, people would complain.

So who is making the children nervous about it?

Unfortunately it is mainly families. Yes, some teachers do as well which I believe is horrendous. But, it’s like in all industries, you have your good with your not so good.

But in my many many years of teaching, I constantly hear parents discuss the ‘issues’ of Naplan in front of their children. Please, give them a break!

Yes, some teachers may teach for the exams. But, guess what? What is being examined is what the children should be learning in the curriculum anyway.
And it is interesting for schools to have a look at the results and note if there are any areas which may need further support and funds.

And this is the important thing here. Many, many schools are basically existing on a shoe string. There was recently a survey done on how much teachers are out of pocket each year for what they spend on school supplies. I know many teachers, including myself, who constantly purchase items for the children when the school doesn’t have the funds. This is not an ‘oh poor teacher’s’ rant, but more about the inadequate funding so many schools receive.

If results may show that a certain school/area is low on numeracy schools, investigations can be made, programs reviewed, help and support sought.

I know Naplan is not for everyone. As I said, I am not in complete favour of it. But what I am in complete favour of is finding ways in which teachers can improve themselves and their teaching strategies so they can help to improve and enrich the lives of their students.

Because to me, that’s what teaching is all about.

So, please don’t panic. Don’t focus wholly on sensationalised media stories about how ‘bad’ the Naplan results are.

Focus on what your little or big ones need and work on that.

And remember, some of these ‘experts’ have not been in a classroom since they left school.

I’d love to hear what you think.

Do you like Naplan?

Did you let your kid’s sit it or were they discouraged by their school?

Private v Public

Private v Public! 

There has been much conversation in the media over the past few days about the age old argument of private schools versus public schools.

A recent research study has claimed that it makes no difference whether we send our children to private schools or public schools.

My opinion – DO WHAT SUITS YOUR CHILDREN.

I have read a lot of this research study and quite frankly I am yet again disappointed in that firstly, money which most schools desperately need, was spent on yet another ‘consultant’ doing yet another ‘study’ which tells us yet again that basically it is your choice.

I have worked in all types of schools – public, private and catholic systemic.

I can tell you that there are good and not so good in all.

There are brilliant teachers in all, and quite frankly, there are not so good teachers in all.

Yes, many private schools have amazing facilities that many other schools can’t provide. And yes, that is a shame.

But, it is also about the children. I know plenty of people who have sent their children to the school’s they went to. Forgetting that it has probably been 10, 20 or even thirty years since they were there. It may have improved, it may be the same, or just as likely it may have gone downhill.

For me, schools are about the people that make them. Not the government ministers who sit in their ivory towers, who have never been involved in the education process but seem to know how to spend desperately needed funds on idiotic projects.

And it also depends on the children. Some kids will blossom in a private school setting, other kids will despise it. Some kids will take every chance and opportunity given to them in a public school, and let me tell you I have seen first hand what incredible opportunities there are, and others will not find their feet.

 

It is also about how the parents or carers choose to spend their money.  Plenty of people sacrifice a lot to send their child to a private school. Others, who on paper can easily afford private school fees, choose to send their kids to the local government school.

 

And guess what?

Most of us try to do the very best for our kids. Whether we choose to sacrifice some things for our kids to go to a fee paying school, or we are happy with what our local government school offers, chose a school that suits YOUR child, not what some over paid consultant tells you!

I’d love to hear your opinion.

Did you go to a private or public school?

Where would you or do you send your own children and why?

Lunch Box Part 1

    Trying to prepare a nutrionally balanced, exciting and edible lunch box can cause tears, tantrums and that’s just from the adults!

Ah, the dreaded lunch box.

The bane of existence for Mum’s, Dad’s, Grandma’s and all carer’s.
And teachers!!!!

I know that when my not so little ones started ‘big school’ I tried to fit as much goodness in their little lunch box as I could.

Of course, not thinking that I was in fact packing enough for them and that if no one else in their primary school (this at a time when they went to a 300 + student’s city school) brought lunch in that day, their goodies could keep the whole school satisfied, including the teachers.

Lunch for 1…thousand

When the lunch boxes returned home day after day with only a small portion eaten I realised that I had forgotten some fundamental things of being at big school for the first time.

 The children are four, five or six. They only have little tummies, and a limited amount of time to eat. They actually don’t need a chicken and salad wrap, a wholemeal cheese and vegemite sandwich, a sesame roll with last night’s lamb roast leftovers carefully arranged inside of it, as well as a container of watermelon, a banana, two apples, three carrot sticks, four pieces of celery, two yoghurts, a box of sultanas and a cheese stick. And that’s just morning tea.

Seriously – for a five year old or a 25 year old?

There are so many things to do at break time. They want to run and jump and use the skipping ropes, and play chasings with their mates, and use the play equipment and play with their buddies.

They don’t want to remember Mummy (or whoever) saying when she kissed them goodbye that they must eat everything in their lunchbox.

Seriously- for a child???

Ensure they have a healthy breakfast. This is the most important meal of the day, I believe, and little minds (and big ones) can’t work effectiveloy if they have not been refulled).

Most primary schools now have a fruit break/crunch and sip time mid morning so they can munch on some fruit or vegies and keep their energy levels up. And sorry, roll ups DO NOT constitute a piece of fruit.

Again, don’t make it hard. I love mangoes but seeing a five year old trying to eat a mango on the floor whilst listening to a story then going to continue some word work does NOT work. If you desperately want to give them a mango, cut it up and put it in a container (Which you have labelled).

A morning snack. Perhaps a yoghurt, more fruit, a protein bar, some cheese and biscuits or a little pack of biscuits. Or, or, or. Not and, and, and. Don’t make them so hard the kids can’t open them.

Yes, when teachers are doing playground duty, their time should be spent on focussing on the student’s welfare and safety, not trying to open eighty five packets of chips. I used to cut a snip off the packets then it was easy for little hands to open.

Don’t send messy foods. I wish I had a dollar for every bag I have had to clean when a yoghurt has spilt in it. Buy them in the tubes, or put them in a container. PLEASE!

Make sure your child likes the food you are giving them. Only the other day I had to rifle through a garbage bin at school (yes, who doesn’t love that part as a teacher) trying to find a toy that an inconsolable child had inadvertently dropped in there.

I could not believe the amount of food that had not even been TOUCHED that had been thrown in the bin. Of course, there was half eaten sandwiches, over ripe bananas (why send something you wouldn’t eat) but also a beautiful array of salads, chicken, unopened packets of cheese and savoury snacks.

I for one, don’t want to see my hard earned money that I spend on groceries be thrown in the bin because I continue to send items my children don’t like in their lunchboxes.

A Five Year old could handle this

Ask your children what they like. If you cope with it, take them to the supermarket with you (maybe not EVERY time) and talk to them about the different types of foods.

Try and mix it up a bit for a bit of interest but I can tell you, I am not a parent who uses cookie cutters to cut cute shapes out of their sandwiches!!!! Looks great on pinterest but I don’t have the time!

Cookie Cutter Shaped Sambo’s (not by me!)

Do your children have any favourites for their lunchbox? I’d love to hear about them.

 

Dyslexia

 

Do you know what Sir Winston Churchill, Sir Richard Branson, Steven Spielberg and Albert Einstein have in common?

You, or you may child, may also be in the same group.

They had Dyslexia.

 

Dyslexia is a lifelong and inherited condition that has a neurological cause and affects 10-15% of our population. A much as educators try to use ‘tried and true’ methods to help a child learn to read, those who are afflicted with it will still struggle.

Dyslexia IS NOT an intellectual disability. In fact, many of those affected with it are gifted.

It is not just about writing words or letters backwards. Dyslexics have significant trouble in writing, reading and spelling.

Although Dyslexia cannot be cured, it CAN be treated.

It is sad that there are some ‘experts’ who don’t believe that dyslexia exists. Poor teaching, disruptive behaviour in students, laziness, have all been used as reasons for why some children have difficulty in reading, writing and spelling.

Primary symptoms of Dyslexia can include:

     * a lack of fluency when reading

     * Poor spelling

     * Reading slowly with many mistakes

     * difficulty in reading single words (think flash cards/spelling lists)

     * Difficulty learning the letter sounds for reading and spelling

BUT, some individuals with Dyslexia may display the following strengths:

     * Insightful thinking

     * Both creative and analytical thinking processes

     * Being able to see the big picture

     * Able to discover different strategies

     * an inquiring mind

     * Able to comprehend new ideas

     * 3-D construction

Dyslexia is normally noticed during the early years of schooling, when despite having all the skills, they are still displaying an unexplained difficulty in reading.

Of course, when I was at school (some decades ago) those children were probably considered ‘naughty’ or ‘slow’. Nowadays, the teachers have a lot more information and support strategies to be able to work with parents and schools to identify dyslexia and put in place correct strategies.

Many children with dyslexia have to work much harder to remember things they have learnt in the classroom. In today’s class, it is hard enough for the children to remember and process what we expect them to already, without being impended by a learning difference.

If a child is not identified early enough, other effects can include low self esteem, attentional difficulties, frustration and a loss of motivation for learning.

What do you do as a parent? Trust your gut instincts. Don’t listen to someone say they’ll grow out of it, or they just aren’t paying attention. If you genuinely feel there is a concern, speak up. And don’t stop speaking up about it until you find the answer.

And, if someone wants to charge you for screening your child for dyslexia, may I suggest you speak to your school first. The Australia Dyslexia Association provides screening for a small cost, and there are certain organisations which provide a free on line screening test.

I am not in any way affiliated with any organisation and I won’t be recommending any either as I have not used them myself. However, your school, the school counsellor, and your medical doctor all have avenues open to them to organise testing. This may not be widely advertised, but as a teacher, I know these are available.

If your child is in secondary school and either in, or heading towards their senior years, I would suggest talking to the school about what special accommodations can be made for your child. Senior school and external exams are hard enough without placing additional burdens on those with dyslexia.

I had my left leg in plaster when I did the HSC a million years ago, I didn’t receive any extra marks or anything and I didn’t expect them. But I was given 10 minutes extra so that I could ensure I was comfortable whilst sitting my exams.

And if your child who has dyslexia  is showing extraordinary signs of stress with upcoming exams or added senior school pressures, I would also gently suggest an Educational Psychologist MAY help. Again, ask your school for help – they have a duty of care to ensure ALL needs of ALL students are met.

For further information, you may like to visit:

http://dyslexiaassociation.org.au/

http://dyslexiasupportservices.com.au/

http://www.dyslexia-australia.com.au/

Dyslexia is NOT a disability.

Dyslexia is a specific learning difference.

Holidays

Holidays!

Who doesn’t love them!  Especially if you are off on an adventure somewhere.

But, and there generally is a ‘but’,  the cost of travelling or holidaying in the school holidays can be astronomical.

Solution – travel out of school. And cop the wrath of school principals and teachers!

Now, I am not advocating that you withdraw your children from school eight times a year to go hang out at the beach for three weeks at a time (as tempting as that sounds) but I know there are times when people don’t have much of an option but to travel at certain times. Or they cannot absorb the cost of travelling in school holidays so on a rare occasion they might travel during school time, when they can afford it.

The Perfect Classroom

Personally, and it is my own point of view, I believe that if you have an opportunity to travel and have your children travel, then go for it. Again, not every term of every year but life is about experiences and children learn incredible amounts when exposed to such things.

I know many schools and Principals don’t advocate this. But, I believe that if you can genuinely make a case for it, they really don’t mind (on the whole).

And this one

I have had many parents ask me to provide school work for the children when they are going on an extended holiday. I don’t! I suggest they buy a notebook and document fabulous things about their holidays.

Write a journal about what you see or do!

This is Incredible. Take Kids HERE!!!

Work out how many kilometres you have to travel.

Plan a budget.

Discover. Discover. Discover.

Perfect To Learn About Rainforests

We have an amazing, incredible, brilliant world out there and let’s give our children the best experiences we possibly can!

I will be posting a list of great holiday ideas/experiences/opportunities shortly.

I’d love to hear of any of your suggestions!

 

Parents as Partners Part 2

If you missed Part 1, click here!

I wrote Part 1 last weekend and was then very interested to read another article elsewhere on Monday morning basically remonstrating schools and how much they ask parents to be involved.

After initially getting my ‘back up’ about it, I realised that this was written by a parent of a six year old, who has only just started school. I felt, and this is only my point of view, that the article was unfair. I’m sure they would disagree with mine, that’s ok as that’s their point of view.

Anyway, Part 1 was probably a bit more directed towards the early and primary years of schooling where parents are probably encouraged/invited/welcomed more into the school. In Part 2, my focus will be more on High School but of course take whatever you want from it for any part of the schooling process.

My two children are both now in high school. I remember when my daughter started in Year 7 a parent said to me that I would never enter the school and that my years as an ‘involved’ parent were over.

This has always stayed in my head and I have thought a lot about it. I am still an involved parent. As I said in Part 1, I have high expectations of my children, but I also have high expectations of those involved in their education process (and yes, I have high expectations of myself too!).

One way I am involved is that I always attend parent teacher interviews. At the high school mine attend, we have parent teacher interviews three times a year. After term 1 when an interim report comes out, at the start of term 3 when the mid year report is received and at the end of the year. Often, there is a note as to whether the teacher’s request an interview or not but I make appointments anyway. We are only given a 5 minute slot, but it is amazing what can be discussed in five minutes. If I need to have longer, I can make an alternative appointment to see this teacher.

I have had both parents and even their teachers ask me why I go to these if I haven’t received a request to attend. Because I want to be involved, and I want my kids to know I am involved in their learning and I want their teachers to know I am an involved and concerned parent.

As mentioned, I have high expectations of those around me and I have high expectations of those involved in my children’s education. I admit, the time when I sat through a 5 minute interview listening to a teacher talk about someone who obviously wasn’t my son (even though he was sitting there) did cause me great concern and I would not have known that if I didn’t attend.

Teachers do need to be held accountable, as do parents and do students. I find that the teachers who discuss ways that my children can improve or extend themselves are the ones who welcome parent involvement. So it took two hours on a cold miserable night last week for me to attend parent teacher interviews as a parent. But I now know where they are up to, I can ask them about certain parts of their schooling, and their teachers know I am involved in the education process.

 

Again, email is a perfectly feasible form of communication. I can easily email the teachers if I am concerned about anything. My children often email their teachers with a question or a query about part of their learning – this is an excellent process and encourages positive communication.

I have also been involved in committees and helped run fetes. This does take an inordinate amount of work, but with the right people (and a glass of wine) we pulled it off. Successfully. Now I know not everyone has the inclination to do this – that’s fine. But go to a function or an event. Even if it’s for 10 minutes. Put yourselves out there when you can. One size doesn’t fit all.

And continue your own education. No, I don’t mean that you have to enrol in university and complete a PHD unless you really want to. Learn anything. Hell, I learnt how to create a blog! Myself (still got a long way to go!).

Help your children learn – ensure they get enough sleep, enough exercise, time away from studies, nutritious food, and time to socialise with friends.

Learning is a lifelong process. It doesn’t stop when we leave the physical confines of an educational institution. It continues throughout our life. In various forms.

Embrace it. Welcome it. Enjoy it.

If your children see you enjoying it, they may just realise that their school days are some of their best days.

And be involved!

 

Are you involved in your child’s education?

Parents as Partners Part 1

 

Just about every parent I have ever met, as a teacher or as a parent myself, want the best for their children.

And by the ‘best’ I also mean the best education.

And by the best education, I don’t mean you have to send them to the most expensive school, nor provide them with the latest and greatest in technology, but rather it means by being involved.

And by being involved, it doesn’t mean being in the classroom every day. Of every week. Of every month.

I am a working parent. I have also been a single working parent since my daughter was half way through Year 1 and my son had not even started ‘big school’ yet. And in that time, I haven’t always worked as a teacher (my kids are now in Years 10 and 8, so I have been doing it on my own for a while now).

I know just how difficult it is to ‘be involved’ in your child’s schooling on a physical level. In my years in the classroom as a teacher, and as a parent, there are always going to be the parent’s who can come in and listen to the reading, run the P and C, organise the school concert, run the canteen, and many more important things that schools really rely on parental involvement to ensure those needs are met.

Confession – I have never done canteen duty. I was once rostered on on a rare day off, my son got sick and I couldn’t do it. I have never been able to since as I have always worked.

But I am not talking about that today. I am talking about being ‘involved’ in what your kids are doing.

Children perform better in school and life when there is some type of parental involvement. And this starts from before they even get to school.

 

By reading to them, having puzzles, lego (this is an absolute winner and will be written about in more detail soon), art and craft supplies (no, I don’t mean spending a fortune – go to the $2 shop, or save toilet paper rolls, egg cartons etc), lots of books, and interaction with adults as well as other kids can help to set our little ones up for life long learning.

Visit the library, spend time on the computer exploring topics of interest (this will be explained in more detail soon for some ideal sites), go to the zoo, the beach, the park, the supermarket (not when either of you are tired or hungry though!). All these places provide opportunities for learning.

Once your little darling’s are in school, support them. I know it can be hard with young ones, who might come home tired, you might have been at work or have toddlers/babies or worse – teenagers – but by talking to your children about their day, you are involved. My son rarely used to tell me anything about his school day. I would ask different questions when I picked him up form after school care, but he just didn’t respond. But, when I was cooking dinner, or in his younger years when I would read him a story at night, he would then open up about what he had done. Even now as a high schooler, I don’t badger him. I always ask him how his day was, and I find that sitting eating dinner is when he feels most comfortable to share his day (or when I am about to climb into bed exhausted – then he shares!).

Stay in touch with the teacher. Please don’t hassle them on the way into the classroom but in these modern days most teachers would happily supply an email for you to make contact with the. I have done it as a teacher and do it as a parent – but make it meaningful communication – email is a feasible method of communication but not as a ‘weapon’!

Talk to your children about their homework. I still remember doing my homework at the kitchen table while Mum was cooking dinner when I was in primary school. Take an interest. Homework can be a hot topic but if your child is given it, find out what they are doing.

Make sure your children get to school on time. This is working as partners with your school. I have taught so many children who consistently arrive 10-20-30 minutes late a few days a week. It all adds up and by the end of the year, you will be shocked at how much time they have missed. Valuable time. I know that there are exceptions, every one understands this, but instill in your children the importance of being on time.

 

Have high and realistic expectations for your children and talk to them about this. Ok, not everyone is going to grow up and become a doctor, or a nuclear physicist, or an astronaut, but don’t ‘dumb don’ what your kids can achieve. I have high expectations for my children. That doesn’t mean I expect them to achieve 100% in every piece of work in every subject, but I know what they are capable of. To me, it’s about effort. And I am exactly the same with any children I teach. Only recently I had a little girl in a class constantly tell me she was dumb and she couldn’t do anything. No matter what we were doing, she would always tell me she couldn’t do it. So, we sat down and I told her she wasn’t allowed to say those words to me any more. That she now had to tell me if she ‘didn’t understand’ something, or if she was ‘having trouble with something’. And that is exactly what she now says to me. But she also has a bit more of a ‘go’ with things now. And that is a win win in my eyes.

The majority of the tips here are for younger or primary aged students. Some of the tips are just as appropriate for high school and senior students, but in Part 2, I will focus more on the high school’s and how parents can remain involved.

 

How are you involved in your children’s education?

 

Exam Preparation

Senior School students are soon to be preparing for major exams.  These exams can be a source of unease, anxiousness and a whole lot of other adjectives.

 

However, it doesn’t have to be the scary ride many believe it is.

With some gentle routines put in place, and lots of support, our young adults CAN get through this and come out relatively unscathed.

So, in the interest of family harmony  here are some tips which may help:

1. Enough sleep – if your child has left it to the night before the exam to start studying, it is pretty much too late. Ensure they get enough sleep each and every night. A tired brain cannot function.

2. Good nutrition – although this is important in every day living, this is one of those times that we really need to discourage those late night Macca’s runs! Having nutritious wholesome meals, with fresh fruit and vegies and plenty of protein and carbohydrates, will help them maintain the pace needed. And lots of water!

3. Reduce stress– I know – easier said than done. But, we need to ensure our kids are getting some physical activity EACH day – go for a run/walk/swim/bike ride/gym – anything. And personally, I believe being outside in the sun doing this helps even more. If the physical activity is inside, make sure they also get out in the sun each and every day.

4. Socialise – no, I don’t mean they go out to party every night. But neither should they be stuck inside 24/7 studying. Encourage them to catch up with friends every now and again, and try not to talk too much about studies whilst socialising.

 

 

 

5. Keep other interests – again, this doesn’t mean lose focus on study but by also keeping their other interests alive – be it music, art, cultural, sporting – gives them a good balance.

6. Part Time Work – I know plenty of parents who discourage part time work for senior students. This is obviously an individual decision. Personally, my kids will be encouraged to continue with their part time jobs, but probably no more than 10 hours a week during this time. All work and no play……..

7. The End IS In Sight – Even I remember counting down. Days, hours, minutes. There IS life after senior exams.

8. Stay in contact with the school – many schools hold sessions for parents of senior school students about to enter this period. If you or your child are unsure about ANYTHING, contact the school/teacher/counsellor. Just because it is the countdown to the end of school life, doesn’t mean the school wipes its hands of your child. The school and its staff have a responsibility to your student – 99% of schools and staff want the best for your child. But they can’t help if they aren’t asked.

9 – PARENT/CARER PATIENCE – yes, this is a big one! Parents need lots of patience during this time (remember those toddler years – now triple it!). Parents can help by:

i.  Don’t panic – you know there is life after exams, don’t panic your kids

ii. Quiet area – provide a quiet, comfortable area for study, with good ventilation, good lighting, an adequate study table space, and free of distractions including television, mobile      phones, noise, younger siblings.

iii. Be supportive – they will explode over the little things. Help them overcome any overwhelming situations they may feel – leaving home or moving cities for work or tertiary study, feeling like they will fail, help them be realistic – not everyone wants/needs to go to university or tertiary education, encourage them to seek help from their teachers, encourage confidence, and don’t stress over the little things (dirty towels on the bathroom floor are the killer for me – I can put up with this in the short term!).

10. Hugs – don’t underestimate the importance of a hug. Telling them you love them, are proud of them, or a hug can do amazing things for them. For all of us!

 

 

So, to all students out there sitting the HSC, VCE, QCST, NTCE, SACE, TASCE, WACE – good luck.

 

And remember, breathe!

Exam Preparation

Senior School students are soon to be preparing for major exams.  These exams can be a source of unease, anxiousness and a whole lot of other adjectives.

 

However, it doesn’t have to be the scary ride many believe it is.

With some gentle routines put in place, and lots of support, our young adults CAN get through this and come out relatively unscathed.

So, in the interest of family harmony  here are some tips which may help:

1. Enough sleep – if your child has left it to the night before the exam to start studying, it is pretty much too late. Ensure they get enough sleep each and every night. A tired brain cannot function.

2. Good nutrition – although this is important in every day living, this is one of those times that we really need to discourage those late night Macca’s runs! Having nutritious wholesome meals, with fresh fruit and vegies and plenty of protein and carbohydrates, will help them maintain the pace needed. And lots of water!

3. Reduce stress– I know – easier said than done. But, we need to ensure our kids are getting some physical activity EACH day – go for a run/walk/swim/bike ride/gym – anything. And personally, I believe being outside in the sun doing this helps even more. If the physical activity is inside, make sure they also get out in the sun each and every day.

4. Socialise – no, I don’t mean they go out to party every night. But neither should they be stuck inside 24/7 studying. Encourage them to catch up with friends every now and again, and try not to talk too much about studies whilst socialising.

 

 

 

5. Keep other interests – again, this doesn’t mean lose focus on study but by also keeping their other interests alive – be it music, art, cultural, sporting – gives them a good balance.

6. Part Time Work – I know plenty of parents who discourage part time work for senior students. This is obviously an individual decision. Personally, my kids will be encouraged to continue with their part time jobs, but probably no more than 10 hours a week during this time. All work and no play……..

7. The End IS In Sight – Even I remember counting down. Days, hours, minutes. There IS life after senior exams.

8. Stay in contact with the school – many schools hold sessions for parents of senior school students about to enter this period. If you or your child are unsure about ANYTHING, contact the school/teacher/counsellor. Just because it is the countdown to the end of school life, doesn’t mean the school wipes its hands of your child. The school and its staff have a responsibility to your student – 99% of schools and staff want the best for your child. But they can’t help if they aren’t asked.

9 – PARENT/CARER PATIENCE – yes, this is a big one! Parents need lots of patience during this time (remember those toddler years – now triple it!). Parents can help by:

i.  Don’t panic – you know there is life after exams, don’t panic your kids

ii. Quiet area – provide a quiet, comfortable area for study, with good ventilation, good lighting, an adequate study table space, and free of distractions including television, mobile      phones, noise, younger siblings.

iii. Be supportive – they will explode over the little things. Help them overcome any overwhelming situations they may feel – leaving home or moving cities for work or tertiary study, feeling like they will fail, help them be realistic – not everyone wants/needs to go to university or tertiary education, encourage them to seek help from their teachers, encourage confidence, and don’t stress over the little things (dirty towels on the bathroom floor are the killer for me – I can put up with this in the short term!).

10. Hugs – don’t underestimate the importance of a hug. Telling them you love them, are proud of them, or a hug can do amazing things for them. For all of us!

 

 

So, to all students out there sitting the HSC, VCE, QCST, NTCE, SACE, TASCE, WACE – good luck.

 

And remember, breathe!