Your child started their learning journey long ago. By sharing baby books with you, looking at pictures and singing songs. Seeing books and magazines around the home was their introduction to the world of words. You helped to prepare them for their exciting first steps to reading and writing. So what can you do now they are in school?
- Your child's school teaches literacy, and maths from an early stage. Literacy involves reading and writing in accordance to the Government's 'Primary National Strategy'. Within this, for the Reception Class, the focus is on getting children to enjoy and explore letters, words, reading and writing. You can help them to do this by enjoying books with them. Playing games that ivoleve letters and numbers and talking about letters and numbers throughout the day.
-The method of learning used is 'phonics' the widely used system is 'Jolly Phonics' which uses the sound of the letter to build up the word. So we say 'c' 'a' 't' to make up the word cat. There are also actions connected to each sound, which is based on the fact that children remember better when actions are used, as in action rhymes etc.
- The children will bring home reading books to read each day. These will be mainly Oxford Reading Tree Books.(u.k.)
This is a recognised reading system that introduces new words with each book. The high frequency words, that all children should know will also be repeated throughout the books.
The progress of children will be checked in school, however, it vital to your child's progress that they read at home to benefit from these books. As we are reading the words talk about the story, ask questions to see if your child understood the story. Comprehension is vital to reading, as reading individual words with no understanding will not inspire your child to read more
- By reading in their own home they can see the real life benefits and enjoyment of the book, by enjoying and sharing they will want to read more.
If you have Internet access either at home or in the Library you can access Oxford Reading Tree Online, which features learning games that will allow children to learn while playing. http://www.oup.com/oxed/primary/
How to help your child with their reading.
What to do if they do not know a word. If your child is reading their reading book and they do not know a word there are several ways in which you can help. If it is a word that can be easily broken down into phonics, help them to 'sound out' the word, i.e.: d-o-g to see if they can work out the whole word. Some words do not work phonically and have to be remembered, i.e.: 'what' so you could let them finish the sentence to see if they can work out the word. If not you could tell them the word and check back to see if they can remember it. If a child is struggling on a lot of words read along with them. Always remember to praise for effort and successful reading. Record their progress to let their teacher know how they did.
Playing word games such as Junior scrabble, I-spy, are great ways to reinforce learning skills and have fun.
Through out the day point out words and numbers, count items, point to signs while out to the supermarket. Look at numbers on doors street signs anything like this will teach your child the importance and relevance of words in daily life.
Numeracy, or Mathematics involve learning about numbers. Once the basic number names are learned and can be linked with corresponding numbers then 'ordering' of numbers can be learned. It is important that a child can recognise each individual number and that it actually means a quantity, often parents claim that their child can read when they can merely say: one, two, three etc. with no meaning to quantity.
Use of various mathematical terms or using mathematical language is vital as mistakes can be made through misunderstanding the question asked. Often mathematical terms can have different meaning in real life.
When talking about numeracy to your child use the correct terms used in the school and ask your child if they understand the meaning of them these terms. They will be used in school and in tests so it is beneficial to your child if they have a good knowledge of them. Misunderstanding of terms can lead to confusion in young children, for example a 'table' is completely different if referred to mathematically rather than in everyday life.
If you have any questions about your child's learning please discuss it with their teacher, or head teacher at the school.
Places to extend your child's learning:
- Local Libraries. - Local Museums. - Local colleges run fun courses in the holidays for children.
These are many websites that can help your child to find information on subjects, play educational games and more. Remember, if you do not have Internet access at home you can access them from your local library.
The most important way in which you can teach your child to learn is to teach them a love of learning, to have learning as an everyday occurrence throughout their lives. To enjoy and share your enjoyment of learning with them.